10.30.18

5 | Arts & Life

7 | Sports

Familiar faces

UTSA soccer season comes to an end

Vol. 58, Issue 11

Est. 1981

October 31 - November 6, 2018

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Take One, Leave One

By Heather Montoya Co-News Editor

Student Government Association begins trial for feminine hygiene products initiative

UTSA’s Student Government Association (SGA) completed the first trial run of their Take One, Leave One Initiative, also known as the Female Hygiene Initiative, on Oct. 17 and 18.

“The Take One, Leave One Initiative was designed to increase the quality and availability of female hygiene products here on campus,” said Jack Rust, a junior political science major and SGA Chairman of Business Affairs. “It was our understanding, based upon surveys and student correspondence, that the current system in place to supply female hygienic products is either ineffective, not affordable or often inconvenient during emergencies.”

Some students believe this initiative is a great idea and highly beneficial for female students. “Feminine hygiene products are still considered a luxury item and taxed as such even though it’s something that most women need and use

“Ideally, the future will prove that a Take One, Leave One system is sustainable and that the student body can continue providing for their fellow students.”

- Jack Rust SGA Chairman of Business Affairs

Jack Rust SGA Chairman of Business Affairs.

regularly,” said Ashley McDaniel, a junior modern language major. “Women shouldn’t have to sacrifice, worry or think twice about something that is a natural process of their bodies.”

SGA’s Business Affairs Committee, as well as some

non-committee SGA members, were involved in planning and implementing the initiative.

SGA members placed a basket with tampons and pads in four women’s restrooms on campus: on the first floor of the Student Union (SU), the second floor of

Photo Courtesy of Jack Rust

the McKinney Humanities (MH) building, the second floor of the John Peace Library (JPL) and the first floor of the Recreation Center.

“We advertised a Take One, Leave One system to encourage students to assist in continu-

ally supplying tampons or pads [an original $61.23 investment was made by SGA to start the system] and then SGA began publicizing our initiative,” Rust said.

Some students disagree with SGA using funds for this Continued on page 2 See “Products available to women in restrooms”

Bird Scooters take flight Accidents reported in San Antonio community

By Lauren Donecker Staff Writer

Beto O’Rourke speaking in the Retama on Oct. 23.

Jack Myer/The Paisano

U.S. Senate candidate visits for second time

Beto O’Rourke marches crowd to voting polls

By Arnulfo Caballero Assistant News Editor Contributions made by Adrianne Kristanto United States Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke visited UTSA for the second time on Oct. 23.

The Black Student Leadership Council (BSLC) asked O’Rourke to return to campus since students showed support during his first visit to the campus on Oct. 4.

Before the speech began at 10 a.m., students waited to see O’Rourke outside the Retama auditorium as early as 4:30 a.m. in order to have a chance to see him. However, compared to O’Rourke’s previous visit, fewer students attended his rally.

Anissa Rodriguez, a junior sociology major, gave her input on the low attendance. “Everyone was just so excited to see

him there but I wish there tion laws and providing was more people like last better pay for teachers. time,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez also comDuring O’Rourke’s mented on O’Rourke’s speech, he discussed how visit and his stance on experts and political consome of the issues listed sultants would not want above. him visiting college cam“I’ve seen him [Beto puses since young people O’Rourke] in person historically do not vote. speaking three times and O’Rourke mentioned every time just keeps that Texas counties have getting better,” Rodriguez shattered midterm elecsaid. “I fully stand and tion records, and in some support Beto because [of] his views on women’s instances, the early voting turnout for the presidential rights, immigration and LGBT rights.” election.

Additionally, O’Rourke During his speech, stated that he has not taken O’Rourke also mentioned a single contribution from several issues he has a political action committalked about both at UTSA tee and that all his money and throughout his camhas come from donations paign. O’Rourke stated his from the people of Texas. stances on universal health care, immigration, the criminal justice system and Continued on page 2 school teachers. He wants See “O’Rourke brings to reform these systems by Intocable to San Antonio” providing universal health coverage, legalizing marijuana, lightening immigra-

In the first few weeks of school, students noticed electric scooters known as “Birds” popping up on and around campus. Since then, the scooters have grown in number around UTSA. Now competing electric scooter brands are also showing up on and around campus.

In addition to the Bird scooters, there are now “Lime” and “Blue Duck” brand electric scooters.

According to the respective websites, all three brands allow users to ride the scooter with a small flat fee of one dollar plus 15 cents per minute used, paid through a phone app.

The scooters are a hit among users, but some citizens and city leaders have concerns. There has been an increase in ER visits due to collisions involving the electric

scooters According to the Washington Post, the injuries sustained are “a blend of injuries that doctors normally associate with victims of car wrecks — broken noses, wrists and shoulders, facial lacerations and fractures, as well as the kind of blunt head trauma that can leave brains permanently damaged.” The scooter accidents affect not only riders but also pedestrians who are hit by scooters or cars running over improperly parked scooters.

The City of San Antonio has become aware of the safety concern. On Oct. 11, the San Antonio City Council passed the sixmonth dockless vehicle pilot program. Under the new program, riders must be at least 16-years-old and are encouraged to use bike lanes. However, if necessary, riders can use the scooters on sidewalks and on roads with speed limits less than 35 miles

Various scooters are used for transportation.

per hour.

News4SA.com reported “The City [of San Antonio] has the right, and has removed, equipment in its rights-of-way, sidewalks, trails and trailheads that are identified as obstructions or hazards,” said John Jacks from the Center City Development and Operations Department (CCDO). “Any scooters that are left in the rights of way and collected by CCDO are given back to dockless vehicle companies.” However, the company is responsible for claiming the impounded scooters and may incur fees.

On campus, e-scooters have yet to pose a serious concern to the UTSA PD. “Currently, we are monitoring the motorized scooter ridership if there are any problematic safety Continued on page 2 See “Alternative transporation causes problems”

Lauren Donecker/The Paisano

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UTSA

O’Rourke brings Intocable to San Antonio Continued from Page 1

UTSA has announced two football home games, Army and UIW, as part of their four non-conference games in 2019. UTSA will play UIW in the season opener on Aug. 31 and Army on Sept. 14. This will be the first time that the UTSA football team will play Army in their brief history.

Texas The U.S Army Corp of Engineers, in conjunction with the Texas General Land Office, have proposed a new plan in order to shore up hurricane protection along the Gulf Coast. This plan comes in the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s devastation. The plan is currently estimated to cost about 31 billion dollars and is similar to a plan proposed by A&M researchers some years back.

U.S. On Saturday morning, 11 people were killed in a fatal shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa. The shooting happened at the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Tree neighborhood, a predominantly Jewish area. The gunman, identified as 46-year-old Robert Bowers, was injured and is currently being treated at a local hospital. The shooting is being classified as a hate crime.

World Ireland recently voted to oust a medieval-era blasphemy law.

The blasphemy law was part of the Irish constitution and citizens had been clamoring for years to repeal the law.

This vote is part of a growing change in Ireland from a strictly conservative Catholic society to a more open one.

Business Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has stated that a recent tweet, which cost him and his company 20 million dollars in fines, was “worth it.” The tweet, stating that Musk was considering taking his company private with already secured funding, caused the Securities and Exchange Commission to begin an investigation. They found that the tweet had no basis in fact, and subsequently fined Musk and Tesla.

Science In a study done in Poland, it was found that more birds resided in churches based in southern Poland than in open air farmsteads. In the study, 101 churches and an equal amount of farmsteads were studied, and it was found that churches had more bird species on average compared to farmsteads. It is speculated that the reason for this is due to the similarities that churches have to the Polish hillside.

Intocable performs at Cowboys Dance Hall. Photo Courtesy of Marla Gutierrez

After his speech, O’Rourke took the time to take individual pictures with the students at the event and lead a march towards the HEB Student Union for people to go vote. O’Rourke encouraged the people in the auditorium to “talk about the one thing that you’re not supposed to, politics.” He also encouraged people to take their “I voted” sticker and post it on their social media with the caption “#VoteWithBeto.”

In addition to visiting campus, O’Rourke brought the band Intocable to perform a free concert at Cowboys Dance Hall.

“I am proud to have witnessed Zapata’s very own Intocable on stage representing the Latino community, my home town and of course Beto and his vision,” said Marla Gutierrez, a sophomore public health major. “You could feel the presence of a true leader with true intentions to help every one of us thrive as one.”

Products available to women in restrooms Continued from Page 1 project. “ I believe that women should have better access to feminine hygiene products. Though to bill other students for it would be unfair. Schools definitely can provide these products for a fee similar to vending machines,” said Van Tran a senior electrical engineering major.

On both days of the trial run, the baskets containing tampons and pads were placed in the four bathrooms from 12 a.m. to 4 p.m., and were checked on a bi-hourly basis. “Data was gathered to determine the popularity of certain products, as well as the most visited traffic hours,” Rust said.

According to Rust, this initiative was discussed during the spring 2018 semester, but a plan of action was not put together until this fall semester.

“When I was appointed

as Business Affairs [and] Health takes autiative will expand, both Chairman following Brit- thority over the impleon the Main Campus and tany Garcia’s election as mentation of this system the Downtown Campus. president, I made it a pri- is also favorable.”

“I am a proud Roadrunmary interest of Business Rust hopes that the ini- ner, and nothing makes Affairs to follow through with this initiative,” Rust said.

“After a few weeks of deliberation and planning, the Female Hygiene Initiative was prepared to be presented to the student body.”

SGA will conduct a second trial run from Nov. 7 Baskets prepared for four main restrooms. through Nov. 13 and will change basket locations, times and supply methods.

“Ideally, the future will prove that a Take One, Leave One system is sustainable and that the student body can continue providing for their fellow students,” Rust said. “Alternatively, a scenario in which Facilities

me more happy than seeing my fellow students utilizing a system that was designed for their application,” Rust said.

Lauren Donecker/The Paisano

2018 UTSA LAW SCHOOL FAIR

Scooters create precaution for community Continued from Page 1 issues that arise. I can only tell you what has been reported to UTSAPD and that is one scooter rider fell off of a scooter, but the rider was not seriously injured. There have been no reported crashes involving motorized scooters on campus and no reported pedestrian injuries from a motorized scooter,” said UTSA PD’s captain Douglas Sonego.

However, precautions must be taken to ensure the continued safety of student riders. Captain Sonego reminds us that “Motorized scooters are like any other vehicle, they should be ridden safely and with regard for others walking and driving around them.

Motorized scooters should not be brought into university buildings. As for this mode

Scooters on campus.

of transportation, I am sure the university administration will develop policies and rules regarding motorized scooters as needed.”

The scooter companies all claim that safety is a “top priority.” Bird, Lime and Blue Duck say their apps and labels on the scooters contain basic safety information, as well as training instructions.

Bird requires users to upload a driver’s license and confirm they’re at least 18 years old. Bird and Blue Duck have programs that give helmets to riders who request them, and Lime notes that riders must go through an in-app tutorial on helmet safety to unlock one of the company’s scooters for the first time.”

H-E-B Student Union BALLROOMS 1 & 2 Friday, Nov 9th, 2018 11:00am - 1:00pm

Follow @utsaprelaw www.utsa.edu/ilpa

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(210) 458-2990

ilpa@utsa.edu

O cto b er 3 0 - No v em ber 6 , 2018

editor@paisano-online.com | 3

opinion Be comfortable being uncomfortable Editorial Discomfort is an inevitable part of life; it is also the catalyst for change. The recent protests on campus at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) have stirred up discussion regarding the role freedom of speech plays on a university campus.

The clashing of conservative and liberal viewpoints has prompted questions like, “What type of speech is okay?” and “What is the appropriate way to express that speech on campus?”

For some, this was their first time experiencing a protest, and they may have felt uncomfort-

able hearing views they found to be abhorrent and contrary to their world view. This experience is good because a person exposed to a view they find uncomfortable helps that person grow.

The role of a university is to educate students, and one way to fulfill that role is by exposing students to a wide range of ideas and perspectives.

On campus, there are as many political perspectives as there are students, and engaging with people who have different perspectives than you provides insight into another way of perceiving the world. Freedom of

speech ensures a diversity of thought so that society does not become an echo chamber.

One of the purposes of protest is to bring attention to societal problems, that would not otherwise be addressed. In the 1960s, The University of California at Berkeley heavily restricted the activity of political student organizations on campus.

Students who wanted to stop racial discrimination and the United States’ participation in the Vietnam War could not have those discussions with their campus peers. This culminated in the Freedom of Speech Movement, which challenged the administra-

Letter to the Editor Tolerating the intolerant Free speech is an important right on college campuses in America. It’s also the conservatives’ last resort when someone disagrees with them because there are no grounds for their argument.

On Oct. 4, 2018, a right-winged organization known as the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) began a pro-Kavanaugh protest. YAF had little-to-no evidence in supporting the then Supreme Court nominee who was accused of sexual assault. YAF belittled Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s credibility as she continues to receive death threats for sharing her story.

I was only there for only half an hour counter-protesting, and my observation was that YAF protested only to gain more attention for their organization.

One of the members was accused of hitting a female counter protester. Although there was no video evidence of the event, there were many witnesses that confirm that the physical contact between the member and the female counter protester was violent.

The YAF member decided to hide behind UTSA’s Police Department after the altercation, while UTSA’s Police Department conducted a small investigation and seemingly accounted for the violators side of the story. These events were not directly related to the assault. President Eighmy’s words about the matter were how “free speech mattered” and how the university provides a hotline number. President Eighmy’s response left hundreds of students feeling unsafe because a student organization held a protest that seemed to have little sympathy for rape victims.

There seemed to be no concern for students who felt unsafe walking on campus during Young Americans for Freedom’s protest, there were no actions taken by the police department after a seemingly small investigation about the assault during the protest, and there were no consequences for the organization causing harmful unrest on campus. This is not the only time UTSA has stayed quiet when right-wing propaganda has been posted on campus (considering that this isn’t the first incident). This propaganda has made students fear stepping onto UTSA’s campus.

UTSA PD failed by representing only one side of the story, and UTSA as in institution failed at promoting an “inclusive campus” by tolerating the intolerant (check out the Paradox of Tolerance for those who ask why I cannot stand by those who spread only hate on campus). The Young Americans for Freedom knew that their pro-Kavanaugh protest would be read as hate to sexual assault victims. I only want the students of UTSA to know that the voice of one organization should not have to silence the others. YAF’s free speech should not be at the cost of everyone feeling safe on campus.

Eddie Cruz

tion at Berkeley through when we walk out of our protesting. Because of doors in the morning, we their efforts, universities accept the possibility that remain spaces of open something unpleasant debate. If universities may occur. were to censor speech Free speech allows because some students everyone to contribute disagree with the mesto the conversation, and sage, then the university through interacting, would be undermining its people become better duty to expose students to equipped to deal with new ideas. difficult situations, and Dissenters may argue difficult people. Growth that having some views cannot occur if we shield displayed and vocalized ourselves from the world. in public normalizes A seed cannot bloom into certain views and makes a flower if it does not first students feel unsafe; break through the soil. therefore, speech should be censored. However, total safety from what we don’t like cannot Send your letters to Manager@paisano-online.com be guaranteed. We all have something that makes us uneasy, and

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Green and natural? Not on this campus Commentary

By Natalie Hollenbeck Senior Copy Editor If you close your eyes and visualize walking through the Main Campus, what aspects of our campus would come to mind?

For me, it’s the ‘70s-era concrete buildings, tan brick, concrete flooring and brown wood paneling.

But, did you visualize any greenery? I didn’t.

The largest concentration of greenery (e.g., trees, shrubs and flowers) on the Main Campus lie tucked away behind the Main Building and the Arts Building; however, the biggest space most individuals would recall is the Sombrilla or HEB Lawn.

During the cooler seasons, or during drier weather, several students hang hammocks and take cat-naps off the more mature trees – arguably the best form of stress-relief.

Whether listening to the

wind rustle through the trees or taking a peaceful nap under them, it’s hard to ignore the decreasing number of trees on the Main Campus. The stark, dry, stuffy and stressful environment inside the classroom must be complemented with a communal, quiet and stress-free outdoor environment to utilize between classes. While mental health is not the focus of this article, rather it is an example of how more green spaces could benefit students, it should not be overlooked.

With what seems like

constant construction taking place on the Main Campus, is UTSA planting more trees or removing them?

Since the new Science and Engineering Building under construction replaced faculty parking, more parking was added on the west side of campus to alleviate the commuter spaces that were removed.

Not even a single leaf or fallen flower bud is allowed to lie upon the walkways. If you have ever been on-campus prior to 9 a.m., you’d hear the loud roar of leaf-blowers as staff blow away any fallen

leaves or debris. While it makes the campus look well-kept, I wouldn’t mind watching fallen flowers bounce across the ground as the wind carries them away.

Another quite obvious reason to plant more greenery around campus is cleaner air. By adding more oxygen producers around campus, perhaps we can thin-out the smell of fuel as service vehicles take a shortcut through the heart of the Main Campus.

It’s easy to complain about the results of others’ jobs; however, I understand

that adding more greenery will not only cost more but will need additional maintenance staff which will only make the presence of service vehicles more prominent. It’s a vicious cycle but we want only what is the most safe and beautiful for our campus.

When removing greenery for a new building, add it back in and around the new facility. On behalf of all the nature-loving, stressed-out, hammock-napping students at UTSA, we suggest more greenery and less concreteery.

Octo be r 30 - N o ve mbe r 6, 2018

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Wake up Mr. West Commentary

By Adrianne Kristianto Staff Writer Rapper. Record producer.

Fashion designer. Entrepreneur.

Misunderstood.

While everyone’s mind is racing in fear for this nation’s condition, Kanye West – a pillar in today’s hip-hop and rap world – confessed his adoration for the 45th president of the United States. It all started when he met with newly-elected

President Trump back in December 2016. What we thought as a “genius move” two years ago, quickly turned into something that seems very daunting and confusing.

“If I was concerned about racism, I would’ve moved out of America long time ago,” exclaimed West during his “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) outro earlier this month, which was discontinued abruptly. Many believe that ever since the loss of his mother, Donda West, in 2007, he was never the same. Others also believe his marriage plays a part in disfiguring his sovereignty. Whatever it may be, the sunken place is still West’s favorite place to go to.

West has always been known for his daring attitude that has put him in the highest and lowest places in the minds of those who have been following him since his album “College Dropout” in 2004. He

accentuates the freedom of mind and speech, dares everyone to love and creates art that elevates the soul. These beautiful intentions get blurred because of the baffling methods he uses to project his deranged ideas these days – sporadic interviews with TMZ, absurd Twitter comments and tirades, wearing a Make America Great Again (MAGA) hat with a Colin Kaepernick sweater and many more. West lets his mind wander freely in this vast galaxy with closed eyes, and he fails to realize how massive his impact is as an artist. Like many, I was left disappointed.

As much as I adore his body of art and the way he perceives the world, I refuse to dismiss his actions and behavior just because he is Kanye West. Seeing West associate himself with the man who utilizes hatred as a foundation of his platform is as disturbing as it is

Fatal attraction: texting while driving Commentary

By Rebecca Saenz Staff Writer “Lol hey can’t text u rn—” WHAM! Not only does the collision whip the phone from your palm, it also totals your car and kills the driver in the oncoming vehicle. As your trial pends, you learn that the victim was on her way to pick up her two children at an elementary school. In court, the intersection footage shows you were oblivious to the red light as you plow directly into the other driver’s car.

Because pedestrian witnesses saw you texting, the court charges you with criminally negligent homicide, and now you will go to prison instead of class. That text message amounted to one full coffin, one mourning husband, two young children without a mom and one new inmate in the state penitentiary.

Did I scare you? I hope so. This is the kind of grim hypothetical situation no one wants to think about, but it snaps us out of complacency. Research from King’s College in Pennsylvania uncovered that 80 percent of college

upsetting.

Sooner or later, the MAGA community will start to take advantage of West in that bright red hat to justify hate towards everything and everyone that is not American – something that West was never known for. Claiming that “400 years of slavery sounds like a choice” is something that should not be taken lightly by anyone, regardless of your political views.

Even after all this, he is still seen in a positive light, which leaves some fans utterly perplexed.

West admitted during his visit to the Oval Office that he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, claiming that he was only sleep deprived. But this is no excuse for his inane behavior.

The man who was once a pivotal member of the black community is the same man that is now wearing his signed MAGA hat proudly. The

man who had the grit to say, “Bush doesn’t care about black people,” on national television is the same man who implied that racism is not any of his concern. The moment when we needed West the most, he vanished.

So let me say this: Mr. West, we’re happy that you are finally free from the shackles that you thought were holding you back.

But just know, losing a crucial icon such as yourself to the other side is a great loss for popular culture.

You were the culture, and now you’re merely a pale imitation of the greatness you once represented.

Wake up Mr. West.

The beautiful Russian Language Commentary

students text and drive.

Evidently, intellects worthy of university admittance can still exercise bad judgment. Yet the science shows that no one can effectively text and drive, regardless of experience level. When you must choose between watching the road and watching a screen, watch the road.

The increased risk alone is mind-boggling. Texting while driving impairs an individual as much as chemical intoxication and is six times more dangerous than driving drunk according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Department of Motor Vehicles cites that a quarter of all crashes involve cell phone use and a state study in Texas revealed that texting drivers are 23 times more likely to crash than non-texting drivers.

Risk is the invisible factor, but it’s the overwhelming body count that chills.

Texting and driving is the new serial killer among traffic accident statistics. Moreover, due to the now-felonious nature of texting and driving, the National Safety Council (NSC) concluded that most figures are under reported. The NSC attributes about 1.6 million crashes a year to cell phone usage. A Harvard study reports that texting while driving causes

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around 3,000 deaths and 330,000 injuries annually.

But accidents by age demographic are lamentably disproportionate.

Texting and driving fatalities are highest among teens and young adults, accounting for nine to 11 teen driver deaths every day and making it the official number one killer of teens. But don’t be fooled by the age group: texting and driving transfers college students from classrooms to caskets as well.

To be explicitly clear: don’t text and drive!

It’s illegal and immoral, subjecting you and others to potentially catastrophic consequences. Often, it’s a good person making a bad decision, but preventing a death is always better than apologizing for one. We all know better. If you text and drive, quit now before you kill someone or yourself. The entreaty is universal, the impairment is scientifically measurable and the body bags are countable. Nobody can be trusted to use a cell phone and drive a car at the same time. No text is worth it.

By Arnulfo Cabalero Assistant New Editor What is the first language you think of when you’re thinking about a beautiful language? Is it French?

Italian? Spanish? When I think of a beautiful language, I think of one that most people would never imagine: Russian.

Indeed, Russian, which is the language of Call of Duty enemies, Vladimir Putin and funny dash cam videos. Admittedly, it’s not the first language people will think of when imagining a beautiful language. But there is so much more to Russian than these stereotypes.

When I signed up for Russian last year, I did it for two reasons: my degree at the time required a foreign language, and I thought Russian was a cool, angry language. I went in knowing nothing useful about the language. My mentality was to “finish what I must do and dip.” Truthfully, I had no real interest in learning a language.

However, as the first semester progressed, I became more interested in the language. I

became more interested in it not only because it felt cool to understand something that a lot of my contemporaries could not, but because I felt a draw to it. I cannot describe this sudden interest, but it was similar to how I felt when I decided to pursue a career in law. I wanted to learn more and by that point I didn’t require language credits for my degree, but I signed up for in my second semester.

Russian is not an easy language to learn, but the professors I have had are amazing and are willing to help. The students I have met in the classes are – for the most part – enthusiastic and eager to learn. There is a lot of culture inside the classroom, and I highly recommend taking these courses.

There are six grammatical cases in Russian, and as a person who hates grammar, it is really difficult to understand.

However, my friend Generra Strankschreier put it best, “But without them [grammatical cases], everyone would be able to speak Russian because it’d be so easy.

Russian, thus, would lose its beauty of grammatical intricacies.”

My perception of the Russian language shifted, and instead of

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knowing Russia only for its stereotypes and military accomplishments, I began to see and understand the culture.

There are world class Russian painters, writers and composers. They are hardworking people just trying to survive the harshness of life. Russia has beautiful scenery and architecture that is unmatched in other parts of the world. It is a thriving place, yet most Americans, such as myself, simply think of Vodka or the Red Army when the topic of Russia comes up.

So, I urge you to take a second look at Russia and its language.

It sounds like a rough language at first, but look back and see what the Russian people have been through. Whether it be invasion, revolution, famine or government sponsored genocide, the Russian people survive and their language is a testament to that. And that is why it is a beautiful language; it’s a language with a rich history and culture, unlike many others in this small blue world of ours. There is a great Russian program here at UTSA, and I urge all of you to take a look at it.

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familiar |faces

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By Kirkland Luther Assistant Arts & Life Editor

UTSA Alumnus Michael Esparza hosts “Día los Muertos” inspired exhibit.

he approaching army continues to grow in size before you, as you stand on top your castle wall.

They march in unison until their size quickly overwhelms you. As ruler of the kingdom, you know there is nothing your forces can do to defeat the impending total destruction.

A fireball crashes down behind you knocking you down to the floor below.

Citizens are hysterically running around attempting to find protection and make sense of this chaos. As you come to your senses, you decide the best way to secure your people’s legacy is to lock away the most precious and distinctive items in hopes to be discovered years — even centuries — later. A thunderous boom resonates from the castle gate as you scramble to your feet and run towards the art gallery.

Alysha

Native San Antonio artist Michael Esparza was introduced to this story during senior seminar at UTSA presented

by Hills Schneider. The tale of the king locking himself away with the kingdom’s art and treasures resonated with Esparza as he was posed the question, “What would be in your room?” Esparza pondered the idea of lineage and how this situation would have affected his ancestors. His Mexican heritage was one inspiration for last Friday’s solo exhibition titled “día de los muertos” at Galería E.V.A. The concept of time is a major component in Esparza’s artwork. One of his most recognizable series involves iconic road signage of Whataburger, Taco Cabana, Mama Margie’s and Bill Miller’s. The establishments and their signs are isolated in deserts, meadows, countrysides and coasts. Esparza noted, “Mexicans have a custom when starting a business of taking a picture of the building, then through bad photoshop, removing all the surroundings. Above the building, they photoshop a picture of Jesus or the virgin of Guadalupe.

Sometimes the owners commission a painting, so it will be the building by itself on a landscape with the religious element on top.” Esparza pays homage to these played-up first establishments with the addition of modern signage that triggers familiar memories of times long ago. This sense of nostalgia was also evoked at Friday’s “día de los muertos” exhibit.

Hope

The name is derived from the traditional Mexican celebration of the same name. According to National Geographic, Día de los Muertos is “a typically Latin American custom that combines indigenous Aztec ritual with Catholicism, brought to the region by Spanish conquistadores.”

People celebrate the lives of their ancestors and deceased loved ones with festivities and ofrendas, which can have various foods and drinks such as fruits, mole, atole and Pan de Muertos. Calacas and calaveras (de azúcar), skeletons and sugar skulls, have become a sort of symbol for the holiday with their festive clothing and decorations.

The skull is the focal point of Esparza’s exhibit. Typical Día de los Muertos makeup is where the whole series started for Esparza. “As I began the painting series I wanted the sugar skull to use more makeup used daily than a costume used for a particular holiday,” he said. As he continued his process, Esparza noticed the women’s makeup resembled a mask worn on their faces. Changing the colors around the eyes, nose and cheeks began to “conjure very old memories,” Esparza recalled.

The familiar face staring back reminded Esparza of the Pokémon, Cubone, who wears a bone mask.

This similarity sparked the idea of the skull mask worn in “La Santa,” the largest painting of the series.

Esparza already had the idea of a king’s court playing around in his head but the connection to Pokémon strengthened it even more. “When [Pokémon] evolved, this create[d] higher variations of the same entity. So different levels, in a royal setting, would be different levels of royalty,” he explained.

Esparza imagines the figure in “La Santa” as the queen of an imaginary land that may have actually existed centuries ago. A skull rests on her head and masks the top portion of her face. Her eyes stare forward commanding attention and her face looks as if she’s waiting for the viewer to speak. Her body is cloaked in emerald green and is crowned with large red roses. Gazing into the painting’s eyes evokes an astonishing and humbling feeling. Esparza explained that the additional eight women featured in the paintings were part of the court or follower who saw the mask’s authoritative quality. He replicated the figures through makeup and decoration as a symbolic fashion-statement.

Each of the nine models is a friend or acquaintance of Esparza’s, and each one is as unique as the individual. The cool, striking stare of “La Santa” is matched by the warm, shimmering glow of the adjacent painting “Alysha.” Her face paint is matched with elaborate head jewelry decorated with emeralds calling back to the cloak of “La Santa.”

Some of the women featured wear more ornate head jewelry, while others display abundant rose crowns or no headwear at all.

All photos by Kirkland Luther/The Paisano

La Santa

Each painting’s background varies in design and contrasts the colors each individual displays. For example, “Mary” is dressed in a deep purple dress with a matching rose crown. Her makeup possesses the same shade of purple in place of the black.

Periwinkle shapes form a patterned halo behind the figure. The yellow background pattern in “Hope” is reminiscent of a full moon and the figure, whose outfit resembles that of “La Santa,” appears to have crossed into frame and locked eyes with the viewer.

The gaze is familiar, yet the face is not.

Felicia

When Esparza worked at HEB, he would come across shoppers’ discarded shopping lists. “Seeing how [people] formatted the list, bullet points or numbered sentences – or just one word for each object. Some were a plan for the entire day and not just a stop at the grocery store. I began to collect them,” Esparza recalled.

Soon, Esparza was introduced to a website that featured more lists similar to his, however, these lists included notes from attics, thrift store books or jacket pockets.

Esparza knew he wanted to replicate the same joy he found in these notes; something small leading to big changes. Much like grocery lists, art buyers and collectors tell similar stories of their discoveries and how they found the artwork.

They’ll talk of the specific day and gallery and they’ll mention the artist, what the artist said, why they felt compelled to buy the painting, where they chose to hang it, and what other people say about it. Esparza believes that,“the painting will now have its own life, creating its own stories for those who possess it and those who admire it.”

Mary

6 | arts@paisano-online.com

Octo be r 30 - N o ve mbe r 6, 2018

It’s alive!

Big Sis Advice: Adulting Pressures

UTSA English department celebrates 200 years of horror.

By Harrison Westphall

By Kimiya Factory Assistant News Editor

Contributing Writer

He was portrayed by Hollywood icons, fought the wolf man and redefined the role of women in fiction: you know him famously as Frankenstein’s Monster. Originally created in 1818 by Mary Blythe Shelley, this iconic creature has been helping us question the creation of life for over 200 years. To celebrate this bicentennial, Tara Schmidt, coordinator of information literacy Assessment, will be hosting an exclusive celebration of the novel.

The event will be held Oct. 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the second floor of the JPL (North Commons).

Frankenstein holds a special significance to female writers. Mary Shelley is the perfect example of a female writer who received backlash for the famous novel “Frankenstein.”

Early reviews trashed her for being a female writer and didn’t consider the quality of her work. The road to the female writer being appreciated was long and hard. Like society itself, writing was historically thought to be exclusively for men. It was

believed that a woman’s place was to only be seen and not heard. Shelley is one of many important women in history who have paved the way for other female writers.

I asked her many questions about the impact and legacy of Frankenstein. She responded, “I think that the sheer amount of films, comics, novels says much about the complexity of the original story.”

She reflected on how Frankenstein’s themes rely on “science rather than the gods, and I think there’s a power that comes with the idea that it is meant to be retold so that it speaks to the society that hears it.”

She reflected on the turbulent era that helped create Frankenstein, stating that “huge strides were being made in the sciences that brought deep uncertainties to how people understood the world.”

Even today, we see similar instances. Just look at what the research on consciousness and the cosmos has done to our traditional concepts of things like the soul and our place in the

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

universe. It is this feeling of displacement that creates the atmosphere for novels like “Frankenstein”. It’s not going anywhere if the pace of science in the 21st century indicates anything.

As a child, Schmidt grew accustomed to horror. Her favorite stories were “everything that Lois Duncan and Christopher Pike wrote.”

Schmidt shared that she would always read late at night, when her family was asleep and she “could hear every creepy sound” outside her window. Lois Duncan, another writer whom Schmidt took inspiration from, wrote the famous novel “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”

The disturbing tale that was written in 1973 told the story of a man who is run over by a group of joyriding teenagers. The teenagers were later tormented by an unknown figure who continuously taunts them with a foreboding message, “I know what you did last summer.”

Horror means a lot to Schmidt and other individuals looking to escape the mundane and enter into a new world of unpredictability and frights.

This form of escapism forces us to come to grips with our fragility, allowing us to acknowledge the topic of death.

Topics that Mary Shelley brought to life will be at the event. It will begin with a screening of the 1910 Frankenstein film, produced by Edison Studios. Following the screening, speakers including Jeanne Reesmann, Mark Brill, Seriffe Tekin and many more will discuss the impact that the genre of horror has on their field of discipline; this includes the sciences, literature, philosophy and queer studies.

Birthday cake to celebrate the novel’s age will be available as well.

Afterwards, the original, well-known 1931 film starring Boris Karloff will be screened. This event is welcome to all students, and costumes are welcome but not encouraged.

Frankenstein is one of the most significant novels of the past two hundred years. If you love science fiction, or just love Frankenstein, attend this event and perhaps leave with a new perspective on one of the greatest literary achievements of all time.

Since the past three weeks have been some of the most fast paced, deadline-filled weeks I’ve ever experienced, this week’s topic hits home. Whether you’re feeling the aftermath of recent midterms, or your life has decided that you didn’t deserve a break, it’s pretty easy to feel the pressures of adulthood creeping up on you with every bill or essay due. However, when I began to feel lost in this tunnel of success, I came to a realization and asked myself who the hell am I trying to please?

With holiday gatherings full of turkey legs approaching, as college students I assume we’re all too familiar with pressing questions from family members like: “What are you going to do after graduation?” and “When exactly are you graduating?” If you’re like me, you’ll give vague yet accomplished answers and silently pray that the interrogation will end. But I feel like it’s time, as hardworking students, to answer that for ourselves before we awkwardly answer deadline-ridden questions for others.

I honestly used to think that I needed to have a degree before I made whatever change in the world I wanted to see. Surprisingly enough, the answer was in something that I did everyday for The Paisano: writing. It was only then that I realized, as generic as it sounds, that in a day and age where you constantly see young people who are extremely successful, the social pressures that define adulthood should be up to your own standard and no one else’s. Not your parent’s standard, your friend’s standard or your partner’s standard — only your standard of success.

While it’s obvious I don’t have my degree, and I’m not landing major cases as an attorney yet, I feed and challenge the minds of those who bother to read this column every week. I work hard at my part-time job and drag myself to class despite how sick I am, or if I sat in a puddle of water at the bus stop on the way to school. I try my best, so if things don’t go as planned, I can say that I gave it everything that I’ve got. That’s my standard of success at age 20 what’s yours?

For my fellow adulters, Xoxo, Big Sis

Send your suggestions for Big Sis Advice to arts@ paisano-online.com

The Weekend NOVEMBER 2 - Andy Warhol & Bill Schenck Exhibit / Free 10:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. at Briscoe Western Art Museum Iconic Warhol works that portray iconic Western images, and companion exhibition by Schenck who founded the Western Pop movement.

NOVEMBER 2 - Muertitos Fest: Sin Fronteras/ Free 6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. at SAY Sí Día de los Muertos celebrations, providing educational context including a showcase, art, alters, workshops, live music and food NOVEMBER 3 - Diwali / Free 5 p.m. - 12 a.m. at Hemisfair Park Celebrate the annual Hindu Festival of Lights featuring authentic Indian cuisine, culture and color. .

NOVEMBER 4 - Puro Pop / Free 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. at The McNay Art Museum Celebrate many countries represented in Pop America—Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico and Puerto Rico to name a few.

Live music, food trucks, screenprinting and dance peromances.

To feature your event in “The Weekend” email the arts editor at arts@paisano-online.com Anheuser-Busch: Bud Light

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O cto b er 3 0 - No v em ber 6 , 2018

sports@paisano-online.com | 7

Sports

Jack Myer/The Paisano

Sarah Bayhi about to kick a ball.

Jack Myer/The Paisano

Marianne Hernandez going head first for a ball.

UTSA ties UTEP in final game

The Roadrunner soccer season comes to a close

By Jack Myer Staff Writer

U

TSA soccer finished the 2018 season with a 0-0 draw at home against The University of Texas at El Paso Miners, making their season record 6-9-2.

One-hundred-and-ten minutes of soccer was not enough for either team to net a goal. As seniors Michelle Cole, Melissa Finley, Rebekah Kensing, Olivia Nicholls, Channing Machen and Brittany von Schneidau played their final game as Roadrunners on Friday, Oct. 26. The ‘Runners’ six wins was a twofold im-

provement from last years record of 3-14. However, due to poor conference play, the team finished 13th in Conference USA, compared to last year’s 12th.

UTSA began with a strong start, taking two shots in the first five minutes, but UTEP picked up the momentum with an offensive try of its own. However, a foul and an offsides penalty in the ninth minute gave the Roadrunners the edge, but the Miners put in some subs that brought new life to their game. A shot

by UTSA forward Lexi Bolton in the 33rd minute, and a corner kick by midfielder Rebekah Kensing in the 37th minute was followed by more substitutions

and neither team could strike for a goal before the halftime buzzer.

The second period began with three quick fouls for the Roadrunners, but they cooled down heading into the 60th minute with corner kicks by Bolton and Kensing as well as shots by midfielders Katieann Lochte and Channing Machen, both of which missed high. UTSA maintained this momentum for the remainder of the period, with shots from Ellis Patterson and Jordyn Lacy as well as the previously mentioned Lochte, Bolton and Kensing. The Roadrunners failed to capitalize on these opportunities as the game went into

overtime scoreless.

The first 10-minute overtime began with a UTSA foul and an unsuccessful UTEP corner kick in the 93rd minute. A shot and corner kick both by Lexi Bolton in the 94th and 97th minute failed to secure the win for the ‘Runners as the first overtime failed to declare a winner. A second overtime ensued, beginning with another shot and corner try for UTSA, this time by Ellis Patterson and Rebekah Kensing, respectively. Both teams made substitutions in the 105th minute to prepare for the final opportunities to avoid a draw. Kensing’s corner kick to Melissa Finley in the 108th minute missed high,

and the game ended with no goals scored and no winner.

Although they haven’t gained a winning season since 2010, the UTSA soccer team is moving in the right direction. In his first season at UTSA and 18th as a coach, Derek Pittman showed leadership and resolve at the helm of the team. Sophomore Ellis Patterson led the team in goals and points, Cole made 62 saves and allowed an average of 1.53 goals per game. Although they won’t be participating in the 2018 Conference USA Championship Tournament, the Roadrunners showed promise this year and look to continue improving next season.

Volleyball has a rough weekend

Jack Myer/The Paisano

Emily Ramirez hitting a ball during a game.

By Lindsey Thomas Sports Assistant

In the battle for first place in-conference on Friday, Oct. 26, the Rice Owls’ volleyball team steamed UTSA in a threeset win. On Sunday, Oct. 28, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers gained a mid-set win over the UTSA Roadrunners volleyball team. These games marked the ‘Runners second and third conference losses of the year at home in the Convocational Center. The Rice sets were played in front of approximately 1,109 people — the seventh largest crowd in program history.

These losses put the ‘Runners three full games behind the Owls for the league title.

Overall, senior setter Amanda Gonzalez had 14 digs and 25 assists, freshman Hannah Lopez added six kills, another six by sophomore Brianna McCulloch and finally seven kills from junior Kara Teal.

On Friday’s game, the Owls came out with intensity, hindering the ‘Runners offensive play. Rice opened the set

stronger than the ‘Runners, pulling ahead 4-2. The Owls took the next five points as well, leading 8-3. Lopez and McCulloch added three kills, cutting the lead to 10-5.

Kenedi Rutherford’s kill in the middle of the net brought the ‘Runners into double digits, finishing the set with a loss of 25-13.

After the Owls quickly gained the win over the first set, the ‘Runners held their ground in the second set, tying 25-25 before the Owls scored another two points.

The Owls shot down the first three points of the set before UTSA cut to the lead 4-3. UTSA took the advantage over the Owls’ attacking errors, which sent the crowd and players to their toes. The ‘Runners stood their ground, jumping to the lead at 14-13 and forcing the Owls into a panicked timeout. The Owls scored the following three points, forcing tension to rise for the ‘Runners as they called their first timeout, behind 17-13. Ruthford and Teal added points for the ‘Runners until the Owls took the tiebreaker and won the set 27-25.

UTSA came out in the third set ahead 4-3 with kills by Kirby Smith. The sets then began to tie at six, seven and eight before the Owls took the lead. UTSA cut the lead again at 19-16 but lost the final set 25-21.

On Sunday, the Runners came out strong against Western Kentucky University, leading 7-4. Knocking up points with kills by McCullough, Teal and Froeschl, the ‘Runners pushed their lead further ahead of Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers furthered the lead 18-14, sending the ‘Runners into a panic. As the score jumped to 22-17, McCullough added three kills, yet the Hilltoppers gained the three points they needed to secure the win with 25-19.

The following set opened with the ‘Runners steaming ahead 4-2. The Hilltoppers scored a 5-0 run, pushing ahead of the ‘Runners. This forced UTSA to call two back-to-back timeouts, with the Hilltoppers securing another win.

The third set provided the ‘Runners with vigor to conquer the Hilltoppers.

UTSA came out with the first point before the Hilltoppers used a 5-1 run to push ahead of the ‘Runners. The Hilltoppers trailed the lead over the ‘Runners before Smith eventually evened the score at 14 with her seventh kill. UTSA secured their first lead at 18-16, forcing the Hilltoppers into a timeout. A kill by Teal eventually finished the set win for the ‘Runners at 25-22.

The fourth set teetered between the ‘Runners and the Hilltoppers. The ‘Runners kept the score a few points behind the Hilltoppers with kills by McCulloch and Lopez followed with blocks by Froeschl and Smith. The set tied at 20, 21, 22 and 23 before the Hilltoppers won the fourth set 25-23.

The UTSA volleyball team will play away again on Friday, Nov. 2, against Louisana Tech University at 7 p.m., and again on Sunday, Nov. 4, against Middle Tennessee at 12 p.m.

Octo be r 30 - N o ve mbe r 6, 2018

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