Volume 28 Issue 12

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

IslandWavesNews.com

LEFT IN STITCHES Top seeded Cowgirls handle Islanders

by JONATHAN FORNEY • Page 15

News

Walk-A-Mile spreads awareness Page 4

Also

April 20, 2017 Volume 28, Issue 12

Opinions Page 2 Entertainment Page 8 Sports Page 15

2 Opinion STUDENT PUBLICATION OF TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI

04.20.2017

Easy ways to handle graduation MIKAYLA OELSCHLEGEL @mikaylaMOG

With graduation just around the corner (if you’re like me, ISLAND WAVES STI | ISLANDWAVESNEWS.COM | then VOLUME ISSUE 20 | a 08.27.15 you26 are keeping very deIslandWavesNews.com tailed count of how many days you have left), the true panic beEditor-in-chief gins to set in when you realize KACI ALVAREZ you will have to actually learn how to “adult.” Before learnWeb ing how to adult, you need to MIKAYLA OELSCHLEGEL, editor fully learn how you are going JEFFREY THOMAS, on-air talent to handle graduation when all MITCHELL JACKSON, vid. editor of the sudden, all sorts of family ERIN NASH, podcast host members are asking for invitations, if and when you are havCopy Editor ing a graduation party, etcetera, KATIE MEZA etcetera.

From experience, to all the Visuals upcoming senior classes, here IZZY SNEED, editor are some tips on how to get ZACH ALDRIDGE, photographer ready for graduation.

1. Apply before the deadLayout line so you can save those exKARA HERRERA, editor tra couple of dollars. I almost VINCENT VERDUZCO, assistant missed the deadline and had to pay an extra $10 to apply for Reporters graduation. It is not much, but GERI LEMMONS, features when you are getting closer to JONATHAN FORNEY, sports the grad fair and announceMELISSA RODRIGUEZ, news ment expenses, you will be SARAH REEVES, news thankful for that extra cash.

AMERICA SEGURA, sports 2. Know that once grad fair rolls around you are going to Graduate Assistant be dropping a lot of money on BRADY BURNS, advertising things you did not realize you were going to want (or “need” Faculty Adviser because your parental figures WENDY MOORE are wanting it). Anyone who ABOUT ISLAND WAVES Island Waves is a student-produced publication at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The newspaper is printed weekly, except during summer sessions.

Any student or University employee may submit material and opinions for publication consideration. To become a contributor, e-mail or call the Island Waves editor.

CONTACT US 6300 Ocean Drive Unit 5783 Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 825-5862 editor@tamucc.edu ads@tamucc.edu

was in the newsroom after I purchased my cap and gown and lei at the grad fair definitely heard how much I was complaining about prices. And for that, I am sorry to my fellow staff members.

3. Start applying for adult jobs ASAP. I feel like I waited until about middle of February/ beginning of March and know I regret it because I still have no idea what I am going to do or where I am going to live once I graduate. If you are like me and worried about applying to early-don’t. Some companies are looking to hire graduating seniors. LinkedIn and Indeed are probably going to be your best friends.

4. Speaking of LinkedInMake sure your LinkedIn profile is looking professional and has everything you have achieved, done and published on it. Won some awards since you have last updated it? Add them to your resume. Taken grad photos? Get that profile picture updated.

5. But most importantly...

Celebrate! You are going to graduate from college. You are getting a degree, showing people “Hey! I got an education” and you have your entire life ahead of you.

So while graduation is looming over your head, loan companies are calling you and emailing you, and you are worried

photos taken by IZZY SNEED

about those overdue library fees, just remember that. You have gotten your education.

There may have been plenty of tears, long nights, trash cans full of energy drinks and more midnight Whataburger runs you could have imagined in the beginning, but you did it. You can

finally say you can adult now.

But until May 13, you can find me crying over the fact that Whataburger does not exist anywhere but the South and that apparently the North does not have legit sweet tea. Too bad life’s problems cannot all be easy.

WORD on the STREET

How are you preparing for graduation?

KAILYN HARTLEY

senior, communication

Honestly, now that it's closer to the end of the semester, I have been in more contact with my professors just to make sure all my grades are still in check. I have also been taking advantage of making good connections with my professors..

News 3

04.20.2017

ISIS talks Trump, students react SARAH REEVES @SreevesR

I

slamic Terror Group ISIS released a video openly addressing President Donald Trump and his administration on April 4.

The 37-minute video featured ISIS spokesman Abu Hasan alMuhajir who addressed the United States of America, its citizens and President Trump.

“America, you have drowned and there is no savior, and you have become prey for the soldiers of the caliphate in every part of the earth,” said al-Muhajer during the video. “You are bankrupt, and the signs of your demise are evident to every eye.”

Al-Muhajer said in the video America is being run by an idiot who does not know what Syria, Iraq or Islam is.

“I don’t necessarily like Trump as president so I find this a little on the nose,” said Shakira Barnes, junior psychology major. “However, this is a terror group we’re talking about, so we can’t really say that their statement has any merit.”

From the start of his administration, President Trump has declared defeating ISIS to be a high priority. According to a Fox News statement, within days of stepping into office, he signed

a memorandum focusing on strengthening efforts to defeat the terror group.

“Obviously, ISIS is threatening us with these statements,” said Henry Reeves, junior computer science major. “I’m not sure how well Trump knows Syria, Iraq or Islam, but Trump has made it clear that he will not allow Syria to use chemical weapons against his own people.”

On April 6, in a response to witnessing Internet videos depicting chemical attacks on Syrian civilians, President Trump gave an order to launch missiles at airfields in Western Syria. This took place only 63 hours after the chemical attacks on civilians.

In January, President Trump told host Sean Hannity on Fox News that members of ISIS were “sneaky, dirty rats” and he believes the U.S. will crush them now that he is in charge.

“The statements given by Trump about ISIS are accurate.

ISIS is threatening civilized nations globally, particularly nations with western ideals,” said Reeves. “They can easily disguise themselves as civilians and target places with a high population. Additionally, ISIS has been using social media to convert people of other countries to their ideals, causing domestic terror-

Contributing writer

O

n April 19-20, the Student Government Association at Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi will have their annual elections online for several highly sought after positions.

Every year the SGA hosts elections to make sure representation within the organization is fair and changed out as seen fit. Sometimes the leadership doesn’t always get voted out, but rather they must leave because of graduation. This spring there will be five vacant positions within the SGA because of students graduating.

Two of those vacancies are for

current president Garret Ransom and vice president Andrea Gilson.

“There is several contested elections currently for several elections,” Ransom said. “We encourage all students to participate and vote on our orgsync page.”

Besides the president and vice president positions, the ballots will list candidates for several senator seats within the School of Science and Engineering. So far the presidential position is running uncontested with only one runner, while the vice president race is a little more hotly contested between two head-strong seniors. The race for the three senator seats currently has

Island Waves News .com

TAMUCC opens registration for students

photo courtesy of GOOGLE.COM

President Donald Trump launched multiple missles at Syria on April 6 from the USS Ross and USS Porter

ism. Trump has got the right idea, they are sneaky.”

In retaliation to chemical attacks on Syrian civilians, Trump’s order of action has risen both concerns and approval amongst US citizens.

Barnes said she thinks bombing them was extreme, mostly because the chemical attacks didn’t affect Americans. She said she understands ISIS is bad, but what they choose to do in their country is their problem until they attack United States people or land.

“Whenever I first read the news about the United States attacking the airbase in Syria, my heart dropped. This completely changes our stance not

only against the Assad regime in Syria, but our relationship with Russia,” Reeves said. “I think the Trump Administration needs to tread carefully on our next moves.”

Reeves said ultimately, depending on the administration’s next moves, the world’s two largest nuclear powers, the U.S and Russia, can have a conflict.

“I think our response to the situation was the right response.

Chemical weapons are deadly and inhumane, they should not be used in any kind of situation,” Reeves said. “However, I must emphasize that Trump should get congressional approval before doing any more damage against Assad in Syria.

Student Government elections begin QUENTIN ESQUIVEL

O N L I N E

four student candidates.

“It will be interesting to see what new officers can do to address the current problems facing the campus as well as issues ahead,” said senior political science major Ray Salinas.

Most students are accustomed to presidential elections for the country as well as state and local ones in the fall. At TAMU-CC the elections for SGA office happen in mid-April as to give the current officials a transition period to show and give insight of what they know and how to effectively operate the organization to the newly elected officials.

“The time proceeding the election is the current officer’s opportunity to give insight of

what we know and how to run the organization to the new elected members,” Ransom said.

While recruitment is not always a top priority for SGA, the administration encourages students to participate and be active with their student government.

The administration encourages anyone and everyone to attend weekly meetings in the UC Legacy Room every Wednesday at noon. To voice concerns on issues or speak with an official, go to their office in UC room 218M. Students are also encouraged to vote in the upcoming election which can be found at www.orgsync. com/6173/chapter .

It’s that time again. Registration has begun for students of all majors at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi for the summer and fall semesters.

Registration opened on April 3 to graduate students.

After April 3 registration opened to students based upon classification in decreasing order. Students can register online through the SAIL portal or in person.

However with more than 11,000 students, students and advisers alike often have trouble scheduling meetings.

Continue reading at islandwavesnews.com.

Island Waves looks for news driven students Island Waves is now taking applications for the Fall 2017 semester. We are looking for news driven students who want to learn more about the journalism world. Since several of our staff members are graduating, we are looking for students to fill the positions of reporter, photographer, layout editor, distribution manager and more. For more information, email the editor at editor@tamucc.edu.

ON THE COVER: Photo by JONATHAN FORNEY

4 News

04.20.2017

Island hosts sexual assault prevention walk MELISSA RODRIGUEZ @__melisssaaaa

I

n honor of April serving as Sexual Assault Prevention Awareness Month, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi hosted the Walk-A-Mile in Her Shoes event.

The walk kicked off a series of events the university will hold to spread awareness. It was hosted in part by the Island University office of the Associate Dean of Students in partnership with the Women’s Shelter of South Texas.

This will be the third consecutive year the university hosted the event, after a break for a couple years.

“It’s really to bring awareness of all types of gender violence,” said Angela Walker, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi associate dean of students.

“Whether it’s sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, stalking, etcetera.”

Despite the inclement weather warning early that morning, the walk proceeded as planned and was held outside at the university. There was a mapped out route on campus, marked by red rib-

bons and red heel prints, which were aimed at bringing attention to the walk and the cause it stood for.

The event was open to the community, inviting any student, staff, faculty to join at any given time. The walk began at 12:30 p.m. where all who came out to support were led out of the Dugan Wellness Center and out all across the campus.

Along the way, there were designated people standing with signs in charge of providing the walkers with facts about gender violence to keep them informed during their walk. As the participants walked around campus and made their way back to the Dugan, they returned to make a couple laps around the gym ending with a candle light vigil for all those who are victims/survivors of gender violence.

One thing that was stressed throughout the event was for people to not let themselves be a bystander if they ever came into a situation of gender violence.

“Don’t be a bystander—we really need to embrace those who have disclosed that they are a victim/survivor so

MELISSA RODRIGUEZ/Island Waves

Backdrop to take photos at event.

WavesToGo as the university continues to spread awareness this month through events such as R.E.A.L Reflections Women’s Social, Denim Day and self defense classes.

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we can help them in any way we can,” Walker said.

Alongside Walker and the office of Associate Dean of Students, the Women’s Shelter of South Texas also brought their mission statement to the university as they helped host and set up a booth in the Dugan informing all participants about their services. The community could also sign pledges to help this cause.

“I think it’s a great way to raise awareness,” said Tish Betancourt, sexual assault services manager with the Women’s Shelter. “It’s a way to provide students with information, statistics and available resources outside of what the university can offer.”

Other community agencies and campus departments in attendance at the event were: Womens & Mens Health Services, SAFE-suicide awareness focuses on everyone, I-ADAPT, Project Hope and others.

“We are all working together to help end gender violence by raising awareness and extending a hand to those who are victims/survivors,” Betancourt said.

Don’t forget to stay tuned to @Island-

Examples of the shoes participants wore during the event.

MELISSA RODRIGUEZ/Island Waves

News 5

04.20.2017

Island University undergoes more construction GERI LEMMONS @GeriLemmons

The University Center 204 suites will be under construction this summer in order to give student employees a chance to utilize more space.

The suites will either expand or they will get a smaller space depending on the department and how much space they currently have. Each office needs to be moved out of the selected suites by May 3.

“We, in the division of student engagement and success, realized that space was not being utilized efficiently, and we know there is a need to create some space for needs in our division,” said Lisa O. Perez, assistant vice president of Student Life.

Perez said this part of the building will house the departmental organization offices, engagement initiatives they work with and a food pantry for students to use as needed. Student Life is also looking to remodel the current dean of student’s office as well. Perez said the building needed to be expand-

ed. They just needed time in order to gather the funds.

“That section of the building, where we went through the renovation and expansion project, for this building a couple of years ago, was not included in the funding a couple of years ago,” Perez said.

The project is set to begin on May 1 with demolition of some of the offices.

The goal is to finish the project by August 4, so people in those suites will be able to move back into their usual areas before the Fall 2017 semester begins.

“We want to get it ready with all of the new furniture coming in for our staff and the student organizations,” Perez said. “We want to have it fully functional for the beginning of the fall semester.”

Some of the organizations affected by this change include Aloha Days, marketing students for student activities, Campus Activities Board, Greek life and the storage space for Student Volunteer Connection. Until construction is over, these groups will have to move to different areas around campus to conduct

GERI LEMMONS/ Island Waves

Second floor of the UC where contruction is about to start. Workers are starting to get rid of furniture.

some of their work over the summer.

Adrian Martinez, Aloha Days coordinator, said he feels both good and bad about the new construction, as one of the groups affected.

“Honestly I am like half and half. It’s like really dreading just moving all of

the stuff just to come back,” Martinez said. “But then it expands the University Center, so, I think that is really good.”

Martinez said they told him they will be building better offices for the groups in the section he is in. He hopes it will actually help the groups affected.

Graduate students compete in thesis competition KRISTEN VEIT contributing writer

Room 127 in the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi was filled with students, faculty and staff on April 6, all there to watch the 3-Minute Thesis Master’s Student Competition.

Awards went to third-place winner Melanie Gingras, who received a $200 gift certificate, second place winner Alex Tompkins, who received a $300 gift certificate, and first place winner Shane Reader, who received a $500 gift certificate.

Judges included Dr. Don Albrecht, vice president of Student Engagement and Success, philanthropist Karen O’Connor Urban and PC Susan Ochoa Spiering, president of Ochoa and Associates.

“I didn’t know what their topics would be, which was great, somebody is talking about genomics as opposed to food and diet, so, I didn’t really know exactly what to expect,” O’Connor Urban said. “It was very difficult to be back there in the jury room because we were impressed with every single one

of them.”

The 3-Minute Thesis or 3MT is a competition that was developed by The University of Queensland to highlight the research of graduate students while improving their skills in presenting and research communication. Students who participate in the competition only have three minutes to explain their research in a way that is understandable for a non-specialist audience.

“It’s hard to translate your ideas into the language that people find accessible and you also have make it interesting,” psychology graduate student Shane Reader said. “This is great training for grants, for speaking to the media, for any kind of communication outside of the lab and that’s what really makes a great researcher.”

This is the second semester the competition has been held and the second time Reader has participated in the 3MT competition. His award-winning thesis entitled “No Cake-Walk: The Bitter Truth about Dieting and Food Choices” is something Reader and his adviser Dr. Miguel Moreno, assistant professor of psychology, spent hours of time and energy researching and organizing for

Event organizer Dr. Steven Seidel hosting the 3MT competition.

the competition.

“Being in a place where people were excited to hear about what I was working on and to communicate it and to have people receive it very positively was really flattering and really validating,” Reader said.

The next 3MT competition is for doctoral students and will be held in Fall 2017. The first-place winner of that competition will not only receive a $500 gift certificate but also travel and admission to the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools.

KRISTIN VEIT/ Island Waves

“I love the event because it’s asking our students to do something that all graduate students should have to do,” event organizer Dr. Steven Seidel said.

“When they go out on interviews, the people that go through the 3-Minute Thesis are ready to go.”

For more information on the 3-Minute Thesis Competition visit www.threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au. To register to compete in the next 3MT competition contact the Graduate Resource and Student Workspace at grow@tamucc.edu or call Steven Seidel at 361-825-2507.

6 News

04.20.2017

Event promotes coastal nature SARAH REEVES @SreevesR

O

n April 8, the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation hosted the 2017 Earth Day-Bay Day at Heritage Park in downtown Corpus Christi.

Earth Day-Bay Day’s purpose is to promote appreciation, awareness and stewardship for coastal, natural resources. Throughout Heritage Park on Saturday afternoon, there were more than 20 booths, one of which was the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

“We’ve got lots to see and plenty to do,” said Linda Lanoue, treasurer for Friends of Aransas and Matagorda Island NWR. The Aransas NWR was administered by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and was officially established in 1937 to protect migrating birds and the vanishing native wildlife of South Texas.

Lanoue said in the Spring, Aransas NWR serves as a winter home for the largest flock of endangered whooping

Community members participate in activities during this year’s Earth Day-Bay Day.

cranes in the United States.

“We don’t just house birds,” Lanoue said. “We take in wildflowers, butterflies, alligators, birds, deer and javelinas.”

The Aransas NWR offers a 16-mile paved auto tour loop through its refuge and a variety of other services such as a 40-foot observation tower, a boardwalk, a fishing pier and walking trails.

Another table at this year’s Earth Day-Bay Day was the GROW Local South Texas, a non-profit organization that strives to cultivate a healthy community by growing the local food system and improving access to nutritious and affordable foods.

Local volunteer Juli Blanda said the organization holds the Corpus Christi Downtown Farmers’ Market every Wednesday at the Art Center from 5-8 p.m.

“You wouldn’t believe the difference in tasting local foods rather than the stuff you’d find in grocery stores,” Blanda said. “Once you buy local food, you’ll never want to go back. I’ll tell you what, that’s what happened to us.”

Blanda said the Corpus Christi Downtown Farmers’ Market has everything residents need for grocer-

SARAH REEVES/ Island Waves

ies, from cheese to meat, and from fruits to vegetables that are all locally grown.

GROW Local South Texas is hosting its third Annual Neighborhood Garden Party at the Learning Garden on May 21, from 4-7 p.m. Blanda said the non-profit organization is planning fun, family activities like garden tours, educational workshops, garden games and ladybug releases.

For more information, or to get involved with the GROW Local South Texas visit their website at http:// growlocalstx.com/. For more information about the Aransas NWR, visit their website at https://www.fws.gov/ refuge/Aransas/.

SARAH REEVES/ Island Waves

Welcome sign at event.

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8 Entertainment

04.20.2017

Food truck festival brings community 1.

4.

2.

5.

1. Attendees for the 2017 Food Truck Festival, held on April 8 in the Schlitterbahn parking lot, quenched their thirst with Texas Handcrafted Lemonade.

6.

2. The food truck festival had several activities for attendees of all ages, including an inflatable obstacle course for children.

3. Big Chops and Real Time BBQ staff members arrived early to get ready for a day full of food and fun before food truck lovers began to show up.

4. The food truck festival offered a variety of different foods and drinks, making sure there was something for everyone.

5. R&R Funnel Cakes served more than just funnel cakes, but the giant strawberry and creme cake was a fan favorite.

6. The Kona Ice truck provided more than 10 flavors of shaved ice for food truck goers to enjoy in the Corpus Christi sun.

7. Many attendees bought snacks throughout the day, including kettle corn from Fulton Kettle Corn.

8. Tables were set up outside of the trucks for people to sit and relax while enjoying the food offered at the festival.

Entertainment 9

704.20.2017

y together, celebrates local businesses 3.

8.

PHOTOS TAKEN BY AMERICA SEGURA

7.

SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION & AWARENESS MONTH

TAMU-CC

DENIM DAY Wednesday, April 26 EAST LAWN

11:30am pm 11:30am to to 1:30 1:30pm

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: Angela Walker, 361-825-6219

Entertainment 11

04.20.2017

‘Beauty and the Beast’ premiers

AMERICA SEGURA

FILM REVIEW

@americabatel

T

he long-lived tale that is Beauty and the Beast has now comes to life like never before.

The classic takes a new twist now that Disney has released the non animated version of the tale, directed by Bill Condon. Personally, I initially felt that although it was indeed a new and innovative idea to recreate the tale in a more “real” version, I felt as though it would take away from what makes it a classic.

However, after watching the movie, I must say, I was wrong. The recreated tale exceeded my expectations. Emma Watson played the role of Belle while Dan Stevens executed the role of the beast excellently. I would have to say he was an intriguing selection since it was more expected for the beast to be played by a much bigger and more aggressive looking person. Ideally, Emma Watson was an excellent selection to play the role of Belle due to her fragile yet intelligent and strong willed appearance.

With this movie, Disney embraced the fact that they would be using some of the best computer animation techniques while incorporating the excellence of Broadway. Ultimately, making the movie an outstanding performance and story all in one.

Since the Beauty and the Beast movie is indeed a Disney produced film, it has its own customs and its own domain. No

Examples of the shoes participants wore during the event.

real-to-life melodic film would ever coordinate the supernatural occurrences of humanoid attribution which take

photo courtesy of GOOGLE.COM

place in the movie.

The elaborate musical-like content would be extremely hard to pull off, yet

they did it impeccably in this case. Moreover, the fact that it was a film and not necessarily a live performance like what Broadway typically is, was an advantage to achieve that level of perfection within the music numbers. However, the musical aspect of such performances was still very much there while revolving the story around a the more realistic version of this classic.

It is a movie for all ages to enjoy. But, although the movie is a Disney work, I wouldn’t necessarily consider it 100 percent a children’s movie as it is usually automatically interpreted in our minds. There are various scenes in which the violence escalates intensely, there is blood, weaponry, heavy injuries and even death in one scenario; it is not exactly what you typically expect when thinking of taking your four-year-old to a princess movie. Also, there was quite a conflict when it came to the gay character that was incorporated, Lefou (Gaston’s sidekick).

Overall, the movie was a great experience and indeed a great representation of the original. Although remakes are, most of the time, very difficult to pull off, this remake was certainly remarkable. It was wonderfully put together.

Music Department hosts April brass ensemle ERIN NASH @ErinJohnnae

T

exas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Music Department hosted the University Brass Ensemble.

Located in the Performing Arts Center, the event was free and open to the public. Dr. Dan Sipes, associate professor of music, began the event in 2002, to give students an opportunity to play in a featured concert setting but they don’t have to prepare all of the music for the concert’s entirety.

“The idea is to give the students an opportunity to play in public, to get over the whole idea of being nervous when you perform,” Sipes said. “Things happen. We’ve been in concerts where people just get up and walk around while we’re playing and so you don’t

get rattled when those sorts of things happen because as a performer, ‘the show must go on.’”

Brass instruments include all modern brass instruments except the trombone: the trumpet, horn (also called French horn), euphonium and tuba.

Also featured is the cornet, flugelhorn, tenor horn (alto horn), sousaphone and the mellophone.

Each professor served as the conductor for their ensemble. Sipes conducted low brass, Dr. Rai Morales was the trombone conductor, Dr. Mary Thornton with trumpet and Mr. Kenneth Iyescas with horn.

Every group varied, Sipes had nine students, Morales with 16, Lyescasis had four and Thornton with five. In some instances, students are given smaller pieces where they were fea-

tured. During most concerts, the students participate in solo competitions as well as ensemble performances.

“It taught me how to play with other people and that their voicing opinions along with the instrument,” said Arturo Galvan, senior music education major.

“I think you get the best learning when you play in groups.”

Each professor devotes time out of the week to rehearse. Practice can last anywhere from two-three hours per week and meetings during Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays when there aren’t recital classes. During Wednesday afternoons, the students of the Music Department perform in the Performing Arts Center for up to an hour for ensembles like the University Brass Ensemble.

“It’s a great experience to play with

great musicians of this caliber we’re all here for one goal, to play the best of music that we can,” said Jacob Howard sophomore music education major.

Galvan, who has been in the ensemble for three years, said Sipes is a hidden gem for professors. He has had much experience with professional musicians like Arnold Jacobs from the Chicago symphony. He teaches you the basics needed to grow into a more individual player. Not just how to be a tuba player but how to be an artist and past that.

“For the most part, it’s an educational experience to get an opportunity to play in front of people and to learn lots of new literature,” Sipes said. “Usually [the music is] from all different time periods, mostly classical music but we also throw a little jazz in there.”

12 Entertainment

04.20.2017

Spasmatics play sold out show at Brewster’s GERI LEMMONS @GeriLemmons

O

pening strong with the song ”Sweet Child of Mine,” by Guns N’ Roses, The Spazmatics made it clear, they were there to give the crowd a good time.

On April 7 at Brewster Street Ice House, the ‘80s cover band performed for a crowd full of people of all ages.

The show began around 9 p.m. when the band took stage in their full gear including neck braces, glasses and slicked back hair, talking and interacting with the crowd.

Many people in the crowd had seen them before and dressed up like them. Sporting a helmet, bass player Joey, rocked a full-geek like attire just like the other members of the band.

The groups itself was full of energy.

They spent their time moving not only all around the stage but, all around the audience as well. In between songs they made sure to interact with the crowd and tell jokes about one another in the band. This was nice be-

cause it kept the crowd engaged and laughing.

Another cool aspect with this group is its ability to keep the jokes going while performing the songs. They would use physical comedy in order to sort of act out some of the lyrics. For example, when performing the song, “Don’t you want me,” by The Human League, the lead singer sang the song toward a member of the band, while that member looked back in disgust, as in saying, “No, I don’t want you.”

The most important aspect of this band was how great they could sing any song form any genre. They were able to do ‘80s pop, classic rock and metal.

The lead singer Zeek had a voice that worked with almost any song.

He had a range, reaching from very high soprano vocals to very low tenor ones as well. Joey and lead guitar player Bjorn were able to stay in sync with each other while also keeping up the dance moves to go along with each number. The drummer made

sure to keep the group in the pocket and on tempo the whole time.

The great thing about seeing the Spazmatics was, they had a feeling of wanting the audience to have the best time. The members wanted their audience to sing with them, laugh with them, and dance with them. They did the best job with crowd involvement and it is the reason why people keep coming back to see them over and over.

The Spazmatics is a group one would need to see at least once in life. Not only because they are a really good group together with chemistry, but they also give their audience a great time.

KATIE MEZA/ISLAND WAVES

Lead guitarist, Bjorn, rocks a guitar rift during their cover of “Sweet Child O’Mine”.

KATIE MEZA/ISLAND WAVES

Spazmatics’ lead singer Zeke pumps up the crowd during their performance at Brewster Street Ice House Friday on April 7.

14 Entertainment

04.20.2017

JONATHAN FORNEY/ Island Waves

Take a bow, Maestro. After an exhilarating show, conductor Richard Buckley and the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra embrace the cheers of the crowd. Following his performance, the symphony will decide on its new music director

Orchestra concert doubles as audition

JONATHAN FORNEY @jb4nay

The Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra wrapped up their conductor search with a concert at the Performing Arts Center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Throughout the 2016-2017 season, the orchestra has held five concerts for the five finalists to become their new music director. The vacancy began when John Giodano stepped down after 12 years at the helm. Of the 144 applicants, five were selected as finalists and conducted their own concert to state their case for the job.

The finalists are: Akiko Fujimoto, who has worked across the country and is the only female finalist. Hector Guzman, a well-traveled Mexican conductor, who perfomed classics scores from cinema.

Aram Demirjian who toured the city to get a feel for the community prior to his perfomance. Robert Franz, who visited a local high school to instruct their orchestra and gave them tickets to watch him lead the Corpus Christi Symphony in his audition. Lastly, Richard Buckley, a veteran of the orchestral industry looking to show the audience the cultural significance of his selected pieces.

“All of these pieces have something dear to me and you can feel something in a way that’s visceral,” said finalist, Richard Buckley.

The fifth and final concert, Dancing and Traveling with Copland and Friends, was conducted by Buckley who has performed around the world in his decades in the music industry.

His latest occupation was principal conductor of the Austin Orchestra. Prior to the show, Buckley gave a talk to

elaborate on what spoke to him about the particular pieces he selected for the evening.

Buckley described his personal connection to Aaron Copland’s work and told the story of how he got to witness him perform while he was studying music in the ‘70s.

Buckley also explored the histories of the composers he had selected pieces from. Copland was an American composer, but others selected included Russian composer, Dmitri Shostakovich and Zoltán Kodály, from Hungary. In his pre-show talk, Buckley described how the linguistics of these composers’ home countries influenced their music, as well as the effects it can have on human development.

“Music has this ability,” Buckley said.

“The young brain participating or listening to music can grow in so many ways.

That’s why it’s important to support music programs.”

While the spotlight was on Buckley, others got their share of attention. Orchestral executive director, Lynn Haueter, was presented with flowers before she gave pre-show announcements.

The orchestra began selling tickets for its 2017-2018 season during intermission of the concert. Additionally, Haueter announced that this season was the first in the company’s history that free tickets were provided to members of the military.

“I definitely thought it was different than the past shows, in a good way,” said Amanda Reyna, freshman music education major. “It was really vibrant.”

Following Buckley’s audition, the orchestra concludes its final audition concerts. The new music director will be announced season.

Sports 15

04.20.2017

Cowgirls sweep Islanders at home JONATHAN FORNEY @jb4nay

The Islanders softball team swept by conference-leading McNeese State University in a three-game series at Chapman Field (1-7, 0-4, and 1-9).

In the first game of the series, and game one of a double-header, the Islanders swapped senior pitcher Liz Carter, for freshman Kandace Johnson early in the first inning. Johnson played four and a half innings and gave up three earned runs. The Islanders kept it close through five innings thanks to a bunt by junior Aspen Auger that brought freshman Lexi Shaw home to score her fourth run of the season.

Carter took the mound in the sixth inning. The Cowgirls blew the game open with five runs on four hits in the sixth, which resulted in the game’s final score of 7-1 in favor of the visitors.

Game two was a defensive slug. The Cowgirls’ pitcher, Alexandra Flores, pitched all seven innings and only gave up two hits to the Islanders. Three different batters scored en route to the Cowgirls’ shutout.

The final game of the series got off to a bumpy start for the Islanders. A three-run first inning for the Cowgirls had the blue and green playing catchup early on. Three errors in the first

supplemented the early deficit. This multi-run trend would continue as the Cowgirls duplicated that three-run effort in the second.

The Islanders were able to quell the storm for the next three innings until a final three-run inning in the sixth all but sealed the Cowgirl sweep. The lone Islander run came when junior Savannah Sandoval scored after Auger got on base on fielder’s choice. The run was Sandoval’s sixth of the year and she holds the second most scored runs on the team.

The sweep puts the Islanders at 6-26 (1-11) on the year and the team will look to start a positive trend for themselves as they travel to Huntsville for a three-game series with the Bearkats of Sam Houston State University. The Beearkats are sitting in the middle of the Southland Conference standings.

With a lot of softball left to be played, the Islanders will look to blend their mixture of underclassmen and veterans to rise in the conference standings.

Seven of the team’s remaining games will be at Chapman field, the site of the team’s first conference victory. Fans are encouraged to come out and support these ladies in the thick of conference play.

Islander softball was unavailable for comment following the series.

JONATHAN FORNEY/Island Waves

Sophomore infielder Megan Mitchell walks to first after this foul ball.

Lexi Shaw takes off following her early single in game one.

JONATHAN FORNEY/Island Waves

16 Sports

04.20.2017

What’s next for Romo?

MELISSA RODRIGUEZ @_melisssaaaa

A

ntonio Romo, more commonly known as Tony Romo, has recently ended his 10-season reign as starting quarterback for the NFL Dallas Cowboys and is raising questions over his involvement in sports from his transition on the field to off of it.

Romo began his journey with the Cowboys back in 2003 but did not become their starting quarterback until the 2006 season. For long-time Cowboys fans, after now hall of famer Troy Aikman left the team, seasons later Romo became the new name of the team as he assumed his place at quarterback. Since then he has led the team to many victories, including making it to the postseason four times.

Ten seasons and several injuries later, Romo lost his starting position in 2016 to Dak Prescott after undergoing a debilitating back injury during preseason. After the 2016 season, Romo announced his parting from the team in early 2017 even posting to social media a video on March 9 expressing his appreciation of everyone’s support over the years and abiding goodbye.

Following his goodbye from the Cowboys nation, recent controversy has sparked from Tony Romo’s decision in taking up an analyst job with CBS sports.

Romo will trade his spot on the field to one in the booth with CBS as a color analyst for the upcoming season games. Little to no details have

Valid through 12/31/17.

been discussed in regards to the technicalities of his contract since the announcement of this new pursuit.

He will be Phil Simms’ replacement as NFL analyst for CBS, a leading role which Simms held on to for 19 years.

This change has left many wondering if Romo will be able to fill Simms’ shoes and translate what he knows from the field into great commentary in the booth.

However, given his long experience as a quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys, Romo has the odds in his favor for succeeding in this new field of broadcasting. One of the greatest challenges he, like other new commentators, will probably encounter is that of being able to give the play-by-plays quickly and meticulously.

Another issue Romo is being questioned about is whether or not this will be the end of his football playing career. Since he has not yet signed any official retirement, he is still under contract with the Dallas Cowboys.

What’s so important about this is the fact that a player who claims retirement while under contract is still under that team’s control. The player’s rights are retained for the duration of the contract, meaning if Romo decides to go back to the game he will have to get some sort of permission from the NFL Dallas Cowboys.

The smartest choice for Tony Romo at this point in his career would be to just pursue this career in broadcast, as Aikman did.

Romo has had a long and successful run in his football career but after suffering several injuries, including his most recent back injury, going back to the game could potentially physically impact him in a negative way.