The Bridge Independent Student Newspaper March 2022 issue

The B ridge

Primaries end up in several

series helps students excel

Women compete in Quarterfinals

TAMIU crowns first all-female Royals

BY DAVID GOMEZ JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The University selected its first all-female TAMIU Royals at the coronation following both Dustdevils home basketball games on Feb. 19.

“We both decided to run together,” one half of Texas A&M International University’s Royals, Derly Rojas, said in an email to TheBridge “We wanted to be the first [all-female] Royals and represent our lovely university. It felt like it was meant to be be cause we both wanted to run and everything played out well.”

The other half of the TAMIU Royals, Alejandra Terrazas, gave further info into how the ball started rolling.

“It was both of our ideas, but Derly wanted to do it before she graduated and I had wanted to do it later, but when I found out Derly wanted to do it, we both thought we should get togeth er and seize the opportunity,” Terrazas said in an email to The Bridge

For those seeking to know more about the Royals, this stu dent campaign claims to demonstrate academic excellence, com mitment to service, leadership and pride for the University.

Formerly known as Mr. and Ms. TAMIU before 2021, past years’ winners can be seen in front of the elevator on the first floor of the Student Center. Alumna and former Ms. TAMIU Barbara Escamilla went through coronation in 2013. “It was a wonderful experience, and not only did I refine my public speaking skills, which I get to use now at work, but I made meaningful connections with amazing Dustdevils,” Escamilla said. “In a nutshell, being Ms. TAMIU 2013 was about telling the stories of students and representing their journeys and efforts as best as I could.”

Escamilla painted a picture of how she got to wear the sash.

“When I shared with my pastor that I had decided to run, she shared with me the best strategy of all—Servanthood,” Escamilla said. “So, I started serving my student body however I could.”

She would start serving in whatever ways she could.

“From opening doors, helping people carry books, sitting down with people who were by themselves at tables, to volun teering and before I knew it, as I served those around me, I began to make new connections and friendships,” Escamilla said. “By the time the actual running began, I knew so many more people that were excited to back me up and help [my] campaign.”

The TAMIU Royals campaign runs every year and the Royals get to represent the University at diverse events and highlight the University’s mission and vision.

“So before being able to apply, there are some application re quirements that all applicants must meet, such as a 2.5 GPA or

SOLE offers ‘Black Experiences’ event for Black History Month

BY MIREILLY GONZALEZ BRIDGE STAFF INTERN

In respect to Black History Month, SOLE offered a panel discussion titled Black Experi ences at TAMIU.

As part of the Social Justice Leadership Series, the panel–which featured professors and a student—occurred on Feb. 23.

Sitting in front as guests were Texas A&M Internation al University Professor Peter Haruna, Assistant Professor Varaidzo Zvobgo and business major Simileoluwa Odunuga. Each offered a different cam pus perspective.

After the guests’ introduc tions, they discussed a few challenges they faced in Lare do.

Haruna lived in both Gha na and the U.S. He earned a bachelor’s at the University of Ghana and a master’s in public administration and

doctorate at the University of Akron–Ohio.

Zvobgo lived in Dallas and Laredo. She earned her doctorate at the University of Texas–Dallas and master’s in public administration at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.

Zvobgo said a main chal lenge she faces daily relates to her African heritage, which complicates grocery shop ping. Since there are no Afri can stores in Laredo, she just buys everything whenever she visits Dallas.

Odunuga lived in Afri ca and the U.S. She went to high school in Houston, then moved to Laredo to study at TAMIU.

Odunuga talked about the negative connotation around her African heritage.

“I was so embarrassed to say … that [I came] from Af rica,” she explained.

She added that she’s aware that Africa itself isn’t all bad,

Female leaders express importance of one’s own voice

BY DAVID GOMEZ JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The

Held

“What

a

and I

but it’s just the connotation around it that’s bad.

“It took me a while to get out of that,” she admitted.

Afterward, the discussion opened up to the public. An unidentified student won dered about the panelists’ opinions on Laredo based on their African heritage and asked, “What are some chang

es you would like to make in TAMIU?”

Zvobgo responded, “I think … putting in place mea sures that make sure that all students are respected. Help students really assimilate into the culture.”

She added that TAMIU’s student population could be come more diverse. And in

deed, in Fall 2021, Hispanics made up 92.97% of the stu dent body. But the percentage is not too shocking, consider ing Laredo is 95.5% Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2021 U.S. Census.

“Start talking about TA MIU,” Zvobgo suggested. “Because I know a lot of peo ple from Africa who definitely

want to come and study in the United States.”

Meanwhile, Odunuga re flected on her experience. “When I first came here, [there were about] 3,500 stu dents,” she recalled.

Now more than two de cades later, there are 8,457 stu dents at TAMIU for the Fall 2022 semester.

thing

County Chair for the Democratic Party Sylvia Bruni asked the room.

She refers to voting.

Washington?”

“If you’re concerned with some of the things developing right now—I don’t know about you—the only way you’re going to turn it around is going to be through your vote,” Bruni said. “You can complain all you want, but they don’t listen to com plaints. They listen to your vote.”

She brought up the high execution rate of Hispanic and Black individuals in Texas due to the Death Penalty.

“These were the kind of ‘A-ha’ moments that began to make me realize that something was dreadfully wrong here,” Bruni said.

Guest panelists, from left, TAMIU student Simileoluwa Odunuga, Assistant Professor of public administration Varaidzo Zvobgo and Professor of public administration Peter F. Haruna pose for a portrait from the Black Experiences event at TAMIU on Feb. 23 at STC Room 230.

KARLA DE LEON | BRIDGE

DAVID

SAMANTHA GONZALEZ | BRIDGE

The new 2022 TAMIU Royals Alejandra Terrazas, left, and Derly Rojos smile during their coronation on Feb. 19 at the Kinesiology and Convocation gymnasium.

SGA

higher, be in good standing with the University and, if se lected, we must continue to be in good standing,” Rojo wrote in an email to The Bridge.

They said they hope to live up to their motto: “We are a world of difference, but through the dark and the light, we are Dustdevils to gether.”

Their motto shows their reasoning for becoming Roy als serves as a reminder about their desire to make a differ ence through unity, with the help of campus resources and organizations.

“It felt like it was meant to be, because we both wanted to run and everything played out well,” Rojas said in an email to The Bridge. “We wanted to step out of our comfort zone,

be different and make [TA MIU] history.”

Escamilla remembered the day of her crowning, as if it

was yesterday.

“I was so excited, but most of all, so fulfilled by all the new friends I had made,” Escamilla

said. “About 30 minutes be fore the announcement, my gown tore.

“I had to ask my mom to

bring me a back up dress [and] well, the moment of truth came, and bam, my name was said. I was overjoyed. I love

TAMIU. I couldn’t wait to represent it.”

The coronation takes place annually each February.

TAMIU students voice frustration over lack of cameras

BY ELIS REYES-SANCHEZ BRIDGE STAFF INTERN

A handful of students found their vehicles vandal ized, broken into or involved in a hit-and-run this semes ter. They went to the TA MIU Student Network’s Facebook page to express frustrations and concerns over a lack of parking-lot cameras.

According to the UPD’s daily crime log, 32 incidents occurred in the parking lots from 2019 to 2021. Only eight qualified as hit-andruns. Although 2022 is only a quarter of the way through, seven hit-and-runs already occurred this year.

A member of the alumni community replied back to the posts, writing that she

keeps requesting cameras since before she started in 2012. She said numerous petitions went out, including movements and conversations with the then-administration, but they were unsuccessful.

Alumna Eva Cristina San chez witnessed the aftermath of a hit and run.

“I felt bad, since the own er of the car didn’t have the chance to interrogate the per son that hit them,” Sanchez said.

She posted pictures of the vehicle’s damage in an attempt to alert the owner, and guided them to alert the University Police Depart ment to make a report.

Sanchez also shared sug gestions on how parking lot safety could improve.

“I believe that having [U] PD roam around the park ing lot every hour would make it safer,” she said.

UPD frequently roams campus in patrol vehicles, golf carts and bicycles.

Student Government As sociation President Lourdes

Boardman said she person ally spoke with the school’s administration in one of the Executive Council meetings, to the senators from SGA and the UPD addressing the stu dents’ safety concerns.

Boardman emphasized how students can take action by reporting any incidents around campus.

“We are currently plan ning an event to educate stu dents on how to report, and finally, we are getting informa tion from other campuses to see how they can manage these situations,” she said.

Boardman said the TA MIU administration works on a solution regarding camera installation. She added that students understand they are not expected to be installed in every corner of the campus, but in major traffic areas.

VOICE

FROM PAGE 1

To Bruni, there’s one thing an individual can do to change those ways. Almost provoking the room to answer her, she asked what they can do for the county to receive more funding and change.

Bruni took part in the panel of guests, which included TAMIU Assistant Director for Alum ni Relations Jacky Briseño and current TAMIU Student Government Association President Lourdes Boardman.

They discussed stories of their upbringing and past experiences, which led them to craft their voice and continue to improve it every chance they could.

“During Dusty Camp, I was forced to sing the fight song,” Briseño said. “Other people pushed me forward.”

Briseño found her voice through her work. While applying for SGA president as a TAMIU student, she came to realize her doubts were OK–even later when applying for an internship or full-time job. Those doubts are part of the process.

“And though sometimes I have failed, I’ve learned and I keep that in my head when things

don’t go the way I want them to,” Briseño said. “I will learn and I will get the experience and definitely get there.”

Boardman brought up inequality in her na tive country of Mexico, where sexism remains high. There, a woman can be the very best, but cannot be better than a man.

She recalls how she was given the title of sub-director and her male counterpart, and close friend, was given the director position at one of Nuevo Laredo’s biggest high school con ferences.

“‘It is the way it is’ doesn’t mean it’s the cor rect way, right?” Boardman rhetorically asked the room.

Boardman then asked the organizers to change their titles to coordinators, instead of the previous ones. She said he praised her for being a harder worker than himself and agreed to their new titles for their senior year.

“And now, women aren’t scared of taking that role and this was high school for me,” Boardman said. “It wasn’t that long ago when I realized I can change things if I want to.”

Before Boardman could close the event, she

Everyone has their own time to meet their goals, she believes, and try not to compare one self with someone reaching their own goals at a faster pace.

“[Number] five, keep educating your voice,” Boardman declared. “It is powerful, but it’s use less if you can’t educate it.”

Write, learn and report.

Join the writing staff

SAMANTHA GONZALEZ | BRIDGE

Former TAMIU Royals Daniel Perez, left, and Anabel Contreras say goodbye during the coronation of the new Royals on Saturday Feb. 20 in the gymnasium.

DAVID GOMEZ JR. | BRIDGE

A panel of, from left, SGA President Lourdes Boardman, TAMIU Assistant Director for Alumni Relations Jackelyne Briseno and Webb County Chair for the Democratic Party Sylvia Bruni speak about the importance to believe in your voice for Women’s History Month on March 10 in the Student Center Room 130.

COURTESY EVA CRISTIAN SANCHEZ

TAMIU alumna Eva Cristian Sanchez, 2021 graduate, took this photo of someone else’s damaged vehicle in the campus parking lot near the Student Center and the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts.

TAMIU Royals Alejandra Terrazas, left, and Derly Rojo receive their crowns during coronation.

SAMANTHA GONZALEZ | BRIDGE

“We are currently planning an event to educate students on how to report ...”

—SGA President Lourdes Boardman

would showcase her five tips to better one’s own voice.

“First, if you’re in a place where you’re not being heard [just] leave,” Boardman said. “Sec ond, keep recognizing, but don’t be fake.” Her third and fourth tips focus on trying things someone’s always wanted to do.

BY DAVID GOMEZ JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

My dog sleeps in her kennel, the breeze setting is set on the tower fan and a powered on 55-inch TV casts a glow in my room late at night. It airs Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations.” I sit in what yoga enthusiasts call “the easy pose” while typing away at my Macbook Pro.

That is all you need to know to understand where I may go with this opinion piece. Yes, I should probably be informing the student body, or the handful of people who read my col umn—I’ve seen the online views and it’s sad—that they should be more involved with the University.

Get involved on campus

Bourdain eats street tacos and my mouth waters now.

I have many issues regarding the ignorance that takes place on campus. It is not a political thing at all. In the three and a half years I’ve been here, so many students are dumbfounded upon finding any news regarding their tuition, fees, etc. To be honest, I don’t blame them.

For the longest time, I had no idea how a community runs. I still don’t think I do. I consider myself an ignorant person. I am currently an intern at TheLaredoMorningTimesand my expe riences, running around the city and interviewing average Joes and civil servants, is showing me the cogs inside the machine that run like clockwork.

Back to the point, and again to whomever may be reading this, I strongly think you should be involved at the University’s meet ings. Join the Student Government Association. Ask what may be coming up soon on campus. Heck, follow their Facebook or Instagram page.

It simply comes down to me being selfish. So selfish that I would appreciate it if more students were involved in the Texas A&M International University community. Because honestly, it is a great way to start finding out about those gears in the ma chine. The machine that will go in one direction if it is not cared for. Don’t be surprised when things don’t go your way because public officials can’t read your mind.

Did ya know, Laredo’s voters barely turned out this past primary? Since 2020, Webb County registered voters number 137,000—from Laredo’s more than 250,000 population—and only 23,731 ballots were cast this past 2022 primaries.

Your ideas should be heard—no matter how absurd—espe cially if they’re absurd. TAMIU is a great place to attempt, and fail if you must, to experiment with your ideas or those you care to hear. You may have reservations about these ideas. Express those concerns too. And it all starts with trying. You might sur prise yourself. You might even find your voice.

TAMIU ‘Instafeet?’

No picture, no crime?

But there is a crime. Who ever posted and whoever sent those pictures to the admin istrator of the page robbed those students and professors of their privacy, or in better terms: it’s invasion of privacy.

I can only wonder, how TAMIU will react? Are of ficials aware of the situation and what will they do?

For now, we can only be careful and watch our feet.

BY ELIS REYES-SANCHEZ BRIDGE STAFF INTERN

When I scrolled through the TAMIU Student Net work Facebook page, I saw a post asking if anyone knew there was a “bathroom foot pic” account on Instagram. I couldn’t help myself and went to check out the page.

At first, I thought it was kind of funny and thought it was a spoof page, as many pic tures on the account seemed staged.

I saw a picture of bare feet, with no socks or shoes, doing what I can only assume, their business. My initial thought, “Who does that?”

You have another picture of someone with just one shoe on, and another one pointing down directly at their feet. Those pictures seemed staged.

However, there were many that did not look staged, and those got me thinking, “Why are they taking pictures of feet?” It had to be a man be cause for the moment they all seem like men’s feet.

There were some who claimed they recognized to be the shoes of one of their pro fessors.

And in true social media fashion, the images were delet ed. What was the thought be hind deleting those pictures?

As one student wrote on the Student Network Face book page, “I don’t think this is nice at all. If it were women we’d be talking about, this would be a BIG deal. Men should receive the same re spect.”

To make matters worse, they attempted to recruit la dies to take pictures of feet in the women’s bathroom. One eager volunteer replied, “I got chu” by emi_luca_la_peluca.

So far, they lacked success in uploading pictures from the lady’s bathroom. How ever, it does not mean they aren’t trying, these images just haven’t reached the page yet.

The Facebook post re ceived a lot of laughs, but there were still many concerns about privacy. Now students and faculty, of any gender, may feel uncomfortable using the school’s facilities.

Someone broke that trust. Students come to campus with a sense of security. As a student, we already have so much stress trying to study for exams, finish our assignments, write essays and now we have to add to our stress and watch our feet as we use the bath room.

What is unfortunate is that for the moment, we do not know who took part in the Instagram page or what reason influenced them to up load pictures of random feet using the bathroom stalls.

We can only report the page with the hope it gets sus pended and shut down, but it does not guarantee they will not open another page and continue their activities.

[Editor’snote:According to an article about the publi cation of private facts on the Minc Law website minclaw. com, “Publication of Private Facts refers to information about someone’s personal life that was not revealed to the public, that is not a legit imatepublicconcern,andthe publicationis…offensivetoa reasonable person. For exam ple, writing about a person’s disease status, sexual orien tation, marital problems, or financial troubles could lead to liability for publication of private facts. This civil tort is also referred to as ‘intrusion uponseclusion’and‘invasion ofprivacy.’”

“Aplaintiffmustgenerally establishthefollowingfourel ementstohaveacaseforpub licationofprivatefacts:

• Public Disclosure: The disclosure of facts must be public. The defendant must “givepublicity”tothefactsin dispute.[Thisappliestosocial media posts, as well as legacy mediaoutlets.]

• Private Fact: The facts dis closed must be private, and not open to the public. [In a bathroom,peoplehaveanex pectationofprivacy.]

Offensive to a Reasonable Person: The publication of the private facts in question must be offensive to a reason ablepersonofordinarysensi bilities. [Some may find this offensive, as the social media responsesnote.]

Newsworthy: The facts disclosed cannot be news worthy. To be newsworthy is to discuss a matter of legiti mate public concern. [There is nothing newsworthy about picturesofbathroomfeet.]”]

SPIRIT WEEK BRINGS STUDENTS TOGETHER

BY GABRIELLE PRATHER ASSISTANT EDITOR PHOTOS BY KARLA DE LEON AND YULISSA DIAZ

An annual tradition at TAMIU took on a magical twist this spring.

Texas A&M International University’s Spirit Week, Feb. 14 to 18, offered several events for student involvement. This year’s Spirit Week conjured a unique theme as TAMIU SOLE focused on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

At the heart of the Harry Potter books and films, lies a theme that centers around school spirit in the form of the various mag ical houses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in cluding Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.

Monday provided a classic TAMIU tradition, Maroon Mon day, which led to many Potter-themed games and prizes. The

next day featured Taco Tuesday and a Harry Potter movie night. Wednesday brought TAMIU students the sweet treat of butter beer. Later that day, the Campus Activities Board offered a game of Loteria, where students won many prizes. Thursday focused on a magical tailgate at the men’s and women’s basketball games.

Friday featured a mystical car parade where students decorat ed cars. Finally, Saturday ended the festivities with the announce ment of the new TAMIU Royals in the Kinesiology and Convo cation Building’s gymnasium.

Several students said they enjoyed Spirit Week and others said they admired the artistic choices and showed their Hogwarts’ pride.

Senior English and political science double major Lindsey Lo pez thought this Spirit Week was eventful. One of her favorite moments included receiving a themed T-shirt for students to cel ebrate the week.

“I love the fact that it was Harry Potter-themed,” Lopez said.

Lopez identifies as a huge Harry Potter fan who chose Gryffin dor as her house.

Junior English and mathematics double major Oralia Ramos said Spirit Week encouraged her to attend more TAMIU com munity events.

“It is a great way to get to know other students,” Ramos said. “My favorite thing about Spirit Week was that I loved going with friends, and just being a part of the TAMIU community and en joying the time we all had together.”

Lastly, senior English major Denise Martinez said she particu larly enjoyed the car parade during Spirit Week. She participated in decorating a car for the first time, and won second place.

“I feel like the Harry Potter theme was an excellent idea be cause a lot of people around me started getting into the show and talking to people about the little details, creating more connec tion and friendliness to spread,” Martinez said.

Spirit Week reached out to students in a magical way.

TAMIU Royal candidates, Alejandra Terrazas and Derly Rojo, hosting an activity where they let students throw whip cream pies on their faces on Feb. 17 outside of the Kinesiology and Convocation Building at TAMIU.

BELOW: Students chill at tables for the Magical Tailgate event at the Kinesiology and Convocation Building’s front lawn on Feb. 17.

ABOVE: A student makes glitter potions during the Magical Tailgate on Feb 17.

Decorated cars pass by while students and teachers cheer from the Car Parade with Harry Potter theme event at the Zaffrini

RIGHT: Students play water pong, inspired by Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup, decorated by the TAMIU Pre-Law Chapter on Feb. 17 outside the Kinesiology Building.

ABOVE: Student gathering painting materials in Palentine’s event hosted by TAMIU’s Campus Activities Board on Feb. 14 at TAMIU Patio outside the Student Center.

Primaries: Party polls plunge in precincts

BY JUAN REYES BRIDGE STAFF WRITER

Members of the campus community did not have far to go to vote in the primary election at Location 255, on campus.

Early voting ran from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 22 and 23 with primary day on Tuesday, March 1. Texas A&M International University offered a voting location for Webb County District 3, Precinct 255, at the Western Hemisphere Trade Center.

Some faculty, staff and students, like Associate Professor of

primary. Even though she never used a machine like that before to vote, she still did not struggle to use it when casting her ballot.

The voting station served voters on the right side of the West ern Hemisphere near the entrance facing Dr. Billy F. Cowart Hall with two voting machines. When showing up to vote, registered voters provided their ID to the poll workers and requested either

displayed on the window across the voting booth displayed how many voters showed up to vote.

The information was split between Democratic Party and Republican Party voters, further broken down to different time periods throughout the day. By 2:30 p.m. on primary day, a total of 64 people showed up to vote at TAMIU.

The following totals reflect Precinct 255 alone:

• Precinct 255’s total ballots cast: 391, including early and primary day voting. This total splits into 323 for Democratic Party ballots and 68 for Republican Party ballots.

Gov. Greg Abbot received 49 votes in Precinct 255 on the Republican Party ballots. Seven other nominees shared the remaining 19 votes.

Democratic Party opposition for governor was led by Beto O’Rourke with 239 votes. The nearest competitor was Joy Diaz with 22 votes.

• In the federal race for representative, Congressman Henry Cuellar, District 28, received 196 votes. His near est competitor in the Democratic Party was Jessica Cis neros with 117. These two faced off again in a runoff on May 24.

history Deborah Blackwell, took advantage of the convenience for early voting at TAMIU.

“I always make it a point to vote early on campus because it is so convenient,” Blackwell said. “And I urge all my students to do so as well–especially if they care about what their government is up to.”

Blackwell said they used new voting machines for this year’s

a Democratic Party or Republican Party voting sheet to cast a bal lot.

Students, faculty and staff periodically walked in to vote throughout the time period on campus for early voting.

On primary day, the number of people showing up to vote was significantly lower than previous years. An information sheet

• On the Republican Party ballot, there was a 15-vote tie between Ed Cabrera and Sandra Whitton for the District 28 position in Congress.

• On the lieutenant governor Republican Party ballot, Dan Patrick led with 41 votes. Carla Brailey led the Dem ocratic Party ballot with 95 votes.

Multiple primaries end in candidate runoffs

BY GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ BRIDGE STAFF WRITER

The Texas primary elec tions concluded on Tuesday, March 1. Texans gathered at the polls to select which members of their party would represent them in a variety of races to take place in the up coming midterms on Tues day, Nov. 8.

One of the more heated races in the Texas primaries is one most relevant to Webb County residents: the Dem ocratic 28th Congressional District race between incum bent Henry Cuellar and chal lengers Jessica Cisneros and Tannya Benavides.

After safely retaining his office in 2020, Cuellar now finds himself in a runoff elec tion against Cisneros, who managed to end the race with only 2,000 votes on his tail.

A staunch member of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition, Cuellar served as the 28th Dis trict’s national representative in Congress since 2005. His

Meanwhile, Cisneros rep resents the progressive wing of the party, backed by the likes of Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., and Alexandria Ocasio-Cor tez, D-N.Y., alongside a recent endorsement from The San Antonio Express-News.

Also heading to a runoff in the 28th District are two can didates from the Republican Party ticket: Cassy Garcia and Sandra Whitten. Running in a crowded race of seven people, the sole two female candidates ultimately pulled ahead with 23% and 18% of the vote re spectively.

winner of this race faces an uphill battle, as Democrats historically held control of this particular office.

Beto O’Rourke swept the

spread attention in 2018, when he narrowly lost to in cumbent Cruz for a Senate position. In 2020, he briefly ran to become the Democrat ic Party’s candidate for U.S. president. O’Rourke also faces an uphill battle during the midterms; Texas has not elected a Democratic governor since 1991.

Gov. Greg Abbott retained a healthy lead in the Republi can Party’s primaries, receiv ing 66% of the votes in a race against seven other competi tors.

between Mike Collier and Mi chelle Buckley, who received 41% and 30% of the votes re spectively.

Collier, a former CPA and auditor who previously ran for the position in 2018, served as Biden’s senior advis er for Texas during his 2020 campaign. Beckley previously served as a member of the Tex as House of Representatives.

torically, he received the sup port of local and national of ficials–such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. His rejection of President Joe Biden’s infra structure plan and the recent FBI raid on Cuellar’s home both led to cracks his oppo nents seek to exploit.

Congressional

BY MIREILLY GONZALEZ BRIDGE STAFF INTERN

One of two candidates to visit TAMIU prior to the pri maries, a congressional candi date hopes to gain the support of young voters.

On Feb. 21, Jessica Cisner os spoke to Texas A&M Inter national University students who gathered to hear about her most important issues.

The campus organization TAMIU Student Democrats organized the event; several members took the front row seats, excited to hear her speak.

She and Beto O’Rourke were the only candidates run ning for the Texas primaries to visit TAMIU. The campus visit occurred just eight days before Texas primary day–which included voting for Texas governor and the 28th

District for the House of Rep resentatives.

“There’s so much talent here,” Cisneros said following a self introduction.

She identifies as a Laredo native and child of immi grant parents. One of her first comments centered on high er-education and how it chal lenges the community. Cis neros reminded students of the importance of their own experience, including their ad versities.

“Don’t ever let anyone tell you that your experiences are not valid,” Cisneros said. “You are all smart and capa ble, and you can rise up to the challenge… despite all costs.”

The students in the front row cheered in agreement.

According to the 2021 U.S. Census, only 19.4% of Laredoans age 25 or older completed a bachelor’s degree or higher education.

Whitten received the Re publican nominee for the office in 2020, having run op posed in her party that year. This year, she faces tough competition from Garcia, an Edinberg native with a history working for Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and as a field repre sentative for the Texas Com missioner of Agriculture. The

Democratic Party’s nomina tion for Texas governor, gar nering 91% of the votes from his party. A former member of the U.S. House of Represen tatives, he ran for a variety of different positions during the past four years.

He first received wide

speaks at TAMIU

A few milestones on Texas education by opponent Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, in clude authoring the TEXAS Grant Program and funding education programs like the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergradu ate Program and the Federal TRiO programs.

Texas Monthly reports that Cuellar won the 2020 primary by a narrow margin, at 51.6% and Cisneros at 48.4%.

“If this community didn’t believe that we deserved bet ter,” Cisneros said, “there is no way that a 26-year-old person challenger could’ve earned [as much of] the vote.”

In light of the loss of jobs and lives brought on by COVID-19, Cisneros sup ports a single-payer Medicare For All, which expands cover age to include dental, hearing, vision and mental health.

Meanwhile, Cuellar advo

cates for strengthening medi care for seniors. Cisneros’ crit icism is that the Congressman “voted to weaken the Afford able Care Act.”

said to San Anto nio Report that he “protect ed and provided affordable health care while serving in Congress by passing and im proving the Affordable Care Act to lower health costs and prescription drug prices.”

Another aspect where Cuellar and Cisneros disagree is in the use of energy—Cuel lar supports fossil fuels while Cisneros advocates for envi ronmentally friendly energy.

“[Our political campaign is] not taking a single dime out of corporate tax money,” Cis neros told The Bridge.“I’m going to be the most inde pendent candidate to actually address these issues and one of them is making sure we fight for the Green New Deal.”

Despite the attempts of Abbott’s competition to flank him from the right, a combi nation of the incumbent’s inertia and the endorsement of former President Donald Trump ultimately secured Abbott’s position as the nom inee.

The Democratic Party’s nominations for lieutenant governor prepare for a runoff

Much like O’Rourke, whoever wins the runoff will encounter a historically diffi cult struggle against incum bent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who retained his position in office with a landslide 78% of the vote in the Republican Party’s primaries.

The runoffs for these, and other, positions were sched uled for Tuesday, May 24.

For more information, election results can be found on the Webb County website at www.webcountytx.gov un der offical results link.

A voting sign shows visitors toward the Western Hemisphere Trade Center building for the election on March 1.

YULISSA DIAZ | BRIDGE

“...I urge all of my students to do so as well–especially if they care about what their government is up to.”

Jessica CisnerosRep. Henry Cuellar

University professors perform during Master Performers Series at Recital Hall

BY MIREILLY GONZALEZ BRIDGE STAFF INTERN

In TAMIU’s softly lit Re cital Hall, an applause wel comed Assistant Professor of music Yu-Mein Huang to the stage. She walked confidently to the center wearing a rose gold sequin dress, violin in hand and greeted the audience with a smile.

Huang invited two other professional musicians, vio linist Miroslav Hristov and pianist Chih-Long Hu, as guests for TAMIU’s Music and Friends event.

Near the end of their mas ter performance, Hristov ex pressed gratitude to Huang “for the invitation and for the amazing hospitality,” during the March 4 performance.

Hu and Hristov both direct performances for the School of Music at the Uni

versity of Tennessee–Knox ville. Hu received the Teacher of the Year award from the Tennessee Music Teachers Association, while Hristov also contributed to Tennes see’s musical community by founding the University of Tennessee’s Ready for the World Music Series.

Both musicians also per formed internationally; natu rally, they also previously took the stage together.

Huang opened for Music and Friends, accompanied by Hu on piano, with “Sanat ensatz,” written by Johannes Brahms in 1853, the romantic period. Characterized with an energetic nature, Brahms composed it at age 20.

The diversely aged audi ence included some TAMIU students—their excited cheers at the end of the performance resonated the same soaring spirit with which Brahms wrote the score.

Following Brahms’s work, a variety of romantic-era pieces followed—including a virtuosic piece “Morceaux de Salon, Op. 6, No.1: Ro mance” by Rachmaninoff, a two-themed work that resem bled two heartbeats “Piano Sonata No. 2, Movement 2” by Brahms, a dramatic piece about heartbreak “Liebesleid” by Kreisler and Rachmani noff, a lively yet intricate piece

“La Campanella” by Paganini and Liszt, and the energetic final score “Navarra Op. 33” by Sarasate—as well as a Ro manian folk dance by Bartok, a tango by Gardel and two pieces Hu and Hristov added as a bonus.

The recorded performance of the Master Performer Se ries, can be viewed at TAMIU Fine and Performing Arts Center’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TAMI UCFPA, which includes oth er previous events.

Workshop helps student writing

BY GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ BRIDGE STAFF WRITER

A group of students gath ered in the Academic Inno vations Center computer lab to improve their writing for assignments.

The First-Year Writing Program held its first write-in of the semester on Feb. 19.

Moving back and forth between the computer lab and an area situated nearby with snacks and various com positional resources to aid the participants, Director of the First-Year Writing Program and Associate Professional of

English Charlene Summers, Visiting Instructors Teresa Scott and Sharity Nelson, and their student volunteers in the Department of Humanities offered those present personal ized assistance on how to clear ly communicate and structure their thoughts and arguments via the written word.

“It’s really all about our students,” write-in organizer Summers said.

The event began as a means of giving students a quiet and dedicated space to work on their written assignments and get help from faculty and staff, including graduate student Felipe Rodriguez, who assist

ed with the event.

“We’re mainly here to help freshmen students who are shy about asking for help,” Rodriguez said.

While the write-in primar ily aimed to help those in the First-Year Writing Program–a series of core courses dedicat ed to help students develop a strong foundation in critical thinking, reading and compo sitional skills necessary for aca demic and professional work–the staff invited all Dustdevils to attend, regardless of their year classification.

“It really could be brought to the attention of more people,” freshman business

Development workshop series starts

BY CAROLINA CRUZ BRIDGE STAFF WRITER

TAMIU’s Advancing Re search and Curriculum hosts its Professional Development Workshops this spring semes ter from Jan. 28 to Apr. 27.

Through the Profession al Development Workshops, ARC aims to provide gradu ate students, faculty and staff with training support on a variety of skills.

The content of these workshops ranges from writ ing tips, presentation skills, new research technology, methodology and even in sights on how to publish ac ademic articles, such as for journals.

“ARC … it’s a Title V grant that was awarded to us because we serve a predomi nately Hispanic population,” Program Manager Tano Trev ino said. “So, one of the objec tives of our grant is to provide these Professional Develop ment workshops.”

Trevino said anyone with in the Texas A&M Interna tional University network is welcome to attend the variety of workshops.

“We are concentrated mostly on graduate students,”

he said, “but we wanted to open up to–kind of–anybody else who wants to take advan tage of these services.”

The first workshop ARC hosted this Spring semester was the PROF Center Work shop for publications led by Executive Director for STEM Initiatives and Professor Ken neth Tobin and Associate Vice President John Kilburn. This workshop targeted ju nior faculty, although anyone doing research could benefit from it, especially if they want to present their work at con ferences.

“The great thing about these workshops is that if you missed one, you can always access them online,” Trevino said.

TAMIU ARC also recent ly held a Ref-n-Write Tutorial Workshop hosted by Franco Zamora.

“Ref-n-Write is an exten sion of Microsoft Word that allows you to search through a wide variety of files very quickly using its built-in soft ware,” Zamora explained to attendees during the work shop on March 23.

“Once you have files downloaded onto your desk top, Ref-n-Write allows you

to search through them to make a database and then find key terms from there and pull those terms right into your document. That would be very powerful if you’re work ing with, let’s say, 30 different articles or even something small like five articles.”

Ref-n-Write can be a help ful tool to anyone writing a research paper.

It allows users to cross-ref erence past papers, paraphrase using an academic phrase bank and it also checks for pla giarism.

Anyone in TAMIU can access this software in the computer labs on the second floor of the Anthony J. and Georgia A. Pellegrino Hall in Rooms 219 and 211.

ARC offers other resourc es in its workshops, such as Qualtrics, a survey tool to make surveys, and Python, a coding software.

There are still a handful of workshops left in the semes ter.

Those who missed one, or those who want to know more about TAMIU ARC and the Professional Development Workshops, can find more information on the website at go.tamiu.edu/arc-workshops.

CAROLINA CRUZ | BRIDGE

SAMANTHA GONZALEZ | BRIDGE

Associate Professor Yu-Mei Huang, left, and University of Tennessee-Knoxville Professor Miroslav Hristov play their violins during the Master Performer Series at TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall on March 4.

SAMANTHA GONZALEZ | BRIDGE TAMIU students get writing help at the write-in workshop on Feb. 26 at the AIC.

Franco Zamora presents a Ref-n-Write Workshop, on March 23, as part of the TAMIU Advanced Research and Curriculum events.

administration major Marco Vela Jr., who attended, said.

Interested persons may drop by for future events from

8 a.m. to noon on the follow ing days: April 9, 23, 30 and May 7 in the AIC computer labs in Rooms 203 and 204.

The First-Year Writing Pro gram focuses on English 1301 and 1302: English Composi tion I and II, respectively.

Maroon Monday campus tradition begins

BY GABRIELLE PRATHER ASSISTANT EDITOR

TAMIU’s Student Government Association brought back Maroon Mon day through its Traditions Committee.

A big part of campus community interaction fo cuses around events that undergo and create an atmo sphere for students to collide and gain school spirit. Out side of Maroon Madness, Maroon Monday spreads TAMIU traditions of school spirit, where anything ma roon shows that spirit.

SGA celebrated Maroon Monday by notifying stu dents to wear maroon and support TAMIU.

members took to the breeze way, where they informed students of the tradition’s re turn. Different students from

“This [Spirit Week]

Several students ap proached SGA’s booth and showed involvement with the campus; they offered a vision of how they see the event blossom into their idea of University involvement.

“[It was] motivating for having TAMIU to promote these events,” senior biology major Denille Gill said.

Sophomore biology major Stephanie Guerrero said she never experienced a Maroon Monday before and was ex cited to see this event.

—Stephanie Guerrero

DAVID PERALTA | BRIDGE

The organization also of fered cookies to those who wore the color or liked their page on social media. SGA

different backgrounds aren’t always informed or fail to rec ognize these traditions, which leave a mark regarding what they learned while attending the University.

“This [Spirit Week] … [has] been really fun and interac tive,” Guerrero said. “Since it is my first time being on campus, and it was nice see ing a lot of people involved.”

Events like Maroon Mon day impact students in dif ferent ways, and this one gets them involved. It can lead them to longtime memories of friendship.

Live string recital fills full house at TAMIU

BY SAMANTHA GONZALEZ BRIDGE STAFF INTERN

Combining the musical talents of the University with three local high schools, a mid dle school and an elementary school, the TAMIU Strings offered its String Connection Recital.

Held in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall on Feb. 11, nu merous students performed alongside Associate Professor of music Yu-Mei Huang with classical compositions open to the public. The concert was free of charge.

Performance groups in cluded students from United Middle School as well as Nix

The B ridge

Campus Talking

on, Alexander and Cigarroa high schools, who played alongside Texas A&M Inter national University students, faculty and staff. Individual performers included: Unit ed’s Alina Zhou; Santos Ele mentary School’s Clara Chun Colonel; Nixon’s Karyl De Guzman; Alexander’s Samuel Yang, Ruth Yang and Mariam Owrang; and TAMIU’s Caro lina Loera.

The pieces featured in volved famous composers such as Niccolo Paganini, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonio Vivaldi, Henryk Wieniawski and Max Bruch— all known throughout musi cal history.

These pieces date back to the romantic period, classi cal era, Bel Canto period and

more. A PowerPoint displayed information about each com poser and the history of their music. It also displayed each performer’s personal biogra phy.

“It’s beautiful to see the transition of musicians from middle school to university right in front of your eyes,” audience member and TA MIU student David Fernan dez said.

Huang performed as both a violinist and a pianist in the U.S. and Asia.

Since 2005, Huang chose to make Laredo her home, serving as a full-time faculty member at TAMIU and con certmaster of the Laredo Phil harmonic Orchestra.

At TAMIU, she teaches music fundamentals, music

theory, aural training, con ducting and all string-related classes.

In addition to her regular teaching assignments, Huang launched the International Chamber Music Festival, an annual recital featuring TA MIU music faculty along with other international artists. Joining her was violinist and United Middle School Assis tant Orchestra Director Adri an Martinez.

The recital ended with a heartfelt speech given by Huang expressing her grati tude and appreciation for the audience, performers and sup porters who made the recital possible.

Interested persons may visit www.tamiu.edu/calender for featured events.

Safe Zone hosts workshop

show interest.

Contact us to place an advertisement for your campus event or organization

BY DAVID GOMEZ JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A two-hour Safe Zone LGBTQ+ workshop demon strated to students and faculty on how to be an ally through experiences.

Held in conjunction with the Office of Student Orienta tion Leadership and Engage ment, the event taught people about necessary knowledge to be more accepting and under standing of others.

“We learn about the lan guage, we learn about pro nouns, and how the commu nity is continuing to evolve and more than anything, con tinuing to learn and how we can also become better allies as well,” SOLE Assistant Direc tor Nayelle Lopez said.

“When someone is coming out to you, don’t say ‘Oh, I al ways knew.’ Don’t downplay their significance. You know they’re coming out to you.”

There are some do’s and don’ts about this, which were discussed during the Feb. 8 event.

“When someone does come out to you, this is a sign of trust,” Lopez said. “This is just one dimension of who they are and remember to

“You may want to ask how it might be best to support them.”

This goes for trans people, who may come out to their classmates as well.

“Don’t go asking prob ing questions,” Lopez said. “Don’t cross the areas where you normally wouldn’t cross before and never automatical ly assume why they came out.”

Expressing interest is one of the few do’s that can benefit the friendship.

A student at the workshop shared a recent experience where transphobic comments were made while getting a haircut. The student felt they should speak out and let them know about the proper terms and what it means to be non binary.

The individual, who told the room about the experi ence, came out to a beautician and tried to teach them that their choice of words can be hurtful, and left the salon in disgust.

The student left with a new weight on their shoul ders while thinking they left no impact on the beautician. The employee just went on with their day.

“I’m sorry that you had to

go through that, but again it’s just reality that [some] folks are not doing their home work,” Lopez said to the stu dent. “They’re not being edu cated.”

The student who shared their experience just wanted to have an ordinary day where they didn’t have to educate the person. Many in the LGBTQ+ community go through some thing like this constantly.

Discussions through out the workshop focused on stress and keeping things bottled up as unhealthy sit uations. A few tips included to be direct, unapologetic, authentic and just how stay ing tough can be difficult. An awkward conversation for 10 minutes might be better than living in a closet for more than 10 years, according to the last tip offered.

A video clip of TAMIU alumni who shared their expe riences was shown toward the end of the workshop.

“Living in a closet is no place for a person to truly live,” an alumnus said.

Interested persons may reg ister for Safe Zone workshops on the TAMIU Trailblazers page or may contact the SOLE office in Student Center 224.

SAMANTHA GONZALEZ | BRIDGE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

TAMIU presents the String Connection Recital at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall with Ruth Yang playing the violin on stage on Feb. 11.

SAMANTHA GONZALEZ | BRIDGE

A student holds a LGBTQ+ flag on March 6 in honor of the Safe Zone Workshop, held Feb. 8 on campus.

Senior Elizabeth Morillo, center, takes a free cookie for singing up on @txamiu. sga.traditions on Instagram to celebrate Maroon Monday on Feb. 21 at TAMIU.

... [has] been really fun and interactive.”

Women’s basketball competes in Quarterfinals at conference

BY GLENYS MALDONADO SPORTS EDITOR

The stands filled with excit ed fans, the TAMIU women’s basketball team dominated at 79-53 over Midwestern State, securing a spot in the Lone Star Conference Tournament.

The Dustdevils concluded the first quarter with a 20-18 lead on Feb. 19 in the Texas A&M International University Ki nesiology and Convocation Building’s gymnasium.

In the second quarter, the Dustdevils almost doubled their score, going up to 39 points with the Mustangs trailing behind at 27 points.

The Mustangs rolled with an other 6 points, concluding the half with a score of 39-33.

TAMIU outscored Mid western, adding an additional 27 points to the scoreboard, leaving the Mustangs only

scoring 10. This left the third quarter at 66-43.

Low scoring filled the last quarter and its conclusion. The Dustdevils still took the lead.

Scoreboard leaders for the Dustdevils included: sopho more forward Raiana “Rai” Brown with 28 points, nine rebounds, a block and three steals; freshman guard Evelyn Quiroz with 19 points and six rebounds; freshman wing MiLinda “Mimi” Arguellez with 12 points, two rebounds and two assists.

The team’s performance is no surprise, as their chemistry can be seen throughout the game by spectators and fans.

“Our team players are the tightest group of players I’ve ever known,” coach Nate Vo gel said. “They love each other to death. If you are in the cafe teria, they are always in a pack. That’s a big reason why we

have been so successful … Our biggest strength is our team’s chemistry.”

Hailing from Opunake, New Zealand, senior wing Eva Langton spent two years at Western Nebraska Communi ty College before transferring to TAMIU for the 2019-2020 season.

“I’ve never been in a team where every single person has my back, off the court as well,” Langton said. “There is a lot of love off the court and on the court. I feel that’s what has helped us get to where we are at.”

Langton’s and Vogel’s viewpoints paralleled Brown’s. “I’ve never been at a college where I connected so fast to a team,” Brown said. “It’s not even bonding … we can just be going to Walmart, and we all go together or ask who wants to come.”

With this season beginning

with a couple of COVID-19 mishaps, the Dustdevils end ed up looking forward to the LSC Tournament.

“Now we are where we need to be,” Langton said pri or to the tournament. “To get us where we were before. Now we are just looking forward.”

TAMIU ended up with an 18-11 overall record for the season, including two Lone Star Conference Tournament appearances. In the first game of the tournament, March 1, they defeated Texas A&M University-Kingsville 66-64. They fell in the second round of the playoffs on March 4 to West Texas A&M University, 56-75, at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas.

“We’re getting really good at the end of the season and that’s what every coach hopes to happen,” Vogel said prior to their tournament appear ances. “We are doing pretty

good, but we are trying to win the conference.”

Along with the late-season victory, the Dustdevils cel ebrated Langton on Senior Night, concluding their 20212022 season’s home games.

“[My TAMIU experience] was up and down, but [Vogel] has definitely turned this pro gram around,” Langton said. “I came here in his first year. So, we have stuck with this together. It’s been an experience and obvi

ously good and bad. Overall, I cannot say anything bad or complain.

“Training, I have to give it to Sarai and Kayla and Chel sea. I go in every day, and they get me right. I’ve never had a coaching staff that has worked this hard. The girls too, we come in and we grind every day. The professors are always understanding [with travel schedules]. Overall, I cannot say anything bad. We’ve come out and done it.”

Oklahoma Eagles soar past Dustdevils twice

BY DAVID GOMEZ JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Oklahoma Christian University de feated TAMIU in a back-to-back season opener on March 11 at the Dustdevils Softball Field. They went on to lose the first of two games with a score of 12-3, and the second with a score of 13-4.

The Eagles made a statement after the first game—they were there to compete. Yet, they weren’t the only ones being cold to the Dustdevils.

Fans in attendance, and both softball teams, were met with a weather change during the top of first inning.

The temperature dropped by 15 de grees Fahrenheit along with winds up to

Midwestern State defeats TAMIU

24 miles per hour.

Texas A&M International University started cracking the scoreboard during the fourth inning of the second game with a couple of runs that made Oklaho ma Christian take notice.

Though the runs spoke volumes for the Dustdevils, they scored another two runs in the following inning. The Eagles answered back to dominate the rest of the game, making them eat their own dust.

The Eagles’ defense shined like their mascot’s plumage as they never trailed throughout the game and they collected a combined total of 25 runs on 24 hits in both games to the 7 runs for the Dust devils. Oklahoma Christian has a current standing of 19-8.

As of March 24, TAMIU won two of its last six games with one home victory.

The Dustdevils currently stand with an overall record of 9-22 and a 3-9 confer ence standing, according to the Lone Star Conference statistics website. TAMIU softball currently sits in the 14th spot in the conference.

Their next five home games are sched uled for April 8 against the Angelo State University Rams in a doubleheader, April 9 solo game against Angelo State and April 10 in another doubleheader against Lubbock Christian University.

For more information on Dustdevils sports, people may visit www.godustdev ils.com for the latest sports and news cov erage and LSC standings.

BY GLENYS MALDONADO SPORTS EDITOR

The TAMIU men’s bas ketball team fell short against Midwestern State University, 66-61, at season’s end but flipped the program this sea son for a better tomorrow.

Low scoring dominated early in the first half of the Feb. 19 game with the board reading just 2-2 before the 16-minute media timeout, and 14-10 with the Mustangs leading at the 12-minute me dia timeout that came at the 9:08 remaining mark.

The gap grew after the break, the Mustangs running another nine points to their score, but the Dustdevils came back quick on the scoreboard with a 12-2 run. This led to a 22-22 tie in the game with 3:14 remaining on the clock.

The Mustangs used that bit of time to tie with a small lead, leaving the first half with the score of 28-25.

Leaving the locker room and out of halftime, the Mus tangs carried their momentum through the first four minutes

and grew their lead another seven points. The Dustdevils played catchup and were suc cessful to do so. They once again tied the game back up at 43-43, with 9:29 remaining.

With both teams land ing basket after basket, they continued to put an increase to the scoreboard. The Mus tangs, however, took the lead and put a six-point wedge leaving the score at 57-51, with 5:30 remaining,

The Dustdevils, battling for that tie again, scored an other 8 points. The Mustangs escaped with just a couple of baskets, leaving the Dustdevils to fall short for the game.

TAMIU’s scoreboard lead ers included: freshman Journ ee Phillips with 16 points; junior La-Quiem “Q” Walker with 12 points and four re bounds; senior Greg Bowie II with 11 points; and junior Daniel Kiely with 7 points.

“Every coach is different, so the players have to fit the style that the coaches want to have,” coach Rodney “Mac” McConnel said. “So, we were able to come out and get that this year. We started off hot

then COVID came around again and put us in quar antine. We kind of lost our rhythm and we are trying to get it back.”

Aside from the importance of winning, other variables come into play as well.

“It also depends on how hard we play, how smart we played,” McConnell said. “Then almost always the final score, but sometimes we can’t get the win. Then it’s on: Did we do the things we worked on in practice? Did we execute what needed to be executed? Or, are we getting better game by game?”

With plenty of new faces, comes long-term expecta tions.

“Realistically, you know you’re not going to get 13 brand new players and go off [and] win a national champi onship,”

McConnel said. “What we want to do is build off of it, the foundation of it and have something to continue to build. “When the guys are all locked in, we play together. I do believe that each kid gets along with each other ...”

SAMANTHA GONZALEZ | BRIDGE

Senior Greg Bowie II shoots against Midwestern State at TAMIU’s Kinesiology and Convocation Building gymnasium on

TAMIU

DAVID

SAMANTHA GONZALEZ | BRIDGE Sophomore forward Rai Brown, Right, scores a free throw against Midwestern State on Feb. 19, at TAMIU’s Kinesiology and Convocation Building.

WOMEN’S GOLF