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Issue 19, Volume 80

The price of progress?

Students expected big hits and touchdown passes in TDECU Stadium, but not the funding audits that followed. | PG 2

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2 | Wednesday, February 18, 2015

NEWS

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Kelly Schafler

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NEWS EDITOR

LIFE & ARTS EDITOR Joshua Cochran

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Investigation of $5 million shows no violations by UH

Following allegations against UH's allocation of stadium funding and criticism from SGA, Board of Regents to review several audit results CARA SMITH

EDITOR IN CHIEF @CARA_SMITH5

An audit initiated by UH President Renu Khator into UH's allocation of $5 million in Higher Education Assistance Funds found no "irregularities or violations of University policy or state laws," according to a UH spokesman.

The audit results will be made public on Feb. 19 during the Board of Regents meeting, and Student Government Association President Charles Haston said that he

is planning on writing a letter to the student body following the Regents meeting. The audit was conducted following accusations that UH misallocated state monies approved to fund the construction of classrooms in TDECU Stadium for the Spirit of Houston marching band. HEAF funds must be used for academic purposes.

This isn't the only audit that UH is undergoing. During Thursday's meeting, the Board will be updated on the progress of three more audits the University is undergo-

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ing. These audits have reviewed the current Student Fees Advisory Committee process, the "request for proposal-procurement process associated with the VenuWorks/ Aramark contract" and any possible violations of the Memorandum of Understanding agreement with the student body.

"Substantial progress" in the audits is expected by Thursday, and a summary report will be presented at the meeting, according to a spokesman for the University.

These audits follow accusations from SGA which began during SFAC presentations in November. During the public comment portion of the presentations, SGA President Charles Haston blasted the Department of Administration and Finance, saying that they had violated the MOU's terms.

The Student Service Fee, passed in the MOU, was increased by $45 to fund the construction of TDECU Stadium and the renovation of Hofheinz Pavilion. After the stadium went several million dollars over budget, no portion of the fee was left for the renovation of Hofheinz, Haston said. This was a violation of the MOU, as half the fee was supposed to go toward the construction and half toward the renovation, Haston said.

Haston called out Sports and Entertainment, a contracted management company hired to manage events in the stadium, Hofheinz and Cullen Performance Hall, as being incompetent after disputes over whether Frontier Fiesta was charged facility rental fees for the stadium. This would have been a violation of the MOU, as students are allowed to utilize the stadium and Hofheinz once yearly for an event with no facility rental fee.

INVESTIGATION

Continues on page 4

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The results of an audit on the allocation of funding in TDECU Stadium has been released. | File Photo/The Cougar

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The Cougar is published in print on Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters, and updated online daily throughout the year at www.thedailycougar.com. The Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees. The first copy is free. Additional copies cost 25 cents.

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ABOUT THE COVER Most of the press surrounding TDECU Stadium's construction hasn't been about the games played on the field.

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ABOUT CSM The Center for Student Media provides comprehensive advisory and financial support to the university’s student-run media: The Cougar, Student Video Network and CoogRadio.

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SGA votes to oust Administration and Finance VP, deputies

“This university is in trouble! President Khator must answer for her staffs actions just like a Wall Street CEO would...Who does she think she is?...” — 'Kim Simmons' THE SEX ISSUE

Houston churches embrace LGBT population

"I am an occasional visitor to St Stephens and a gay Episcopalian, and I adore Lisa Hunt... She is very empathic and welcoming toward gays, enough so that she attended meetings at City Hall during the HERO proceedings." — 'Jason Moors'

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HELPING ALL I-NEED-TOSTART-FOCUSING-ON-MYFINANCES COUGARS. You have a lot going on. No matter what is happening in life, your finances always linger in your thoughts. TDECU is here to guide you on the path to financial freedom and help provide peace of mind. We’ll not only make banking easy for you, we’ll even give you money back.

This month, open a FREE TDECU Personal Checking account with a recurring direct deposit and receive $1501. You’ll have access to more than 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs and 20 member center locations in the Greater Houston area. The best part? No opening deposit is required — we’ll cover it for you!

And, if you have an auto loan with another lender, we’ll help you refinance it and give you another $150 with an annual percentage rate as low as 1.99%2! What a great way to start getting your finances in order!

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Offer valid through June 30, 2015, exclusively to the students, faculty/staff and alumni of the University of Houston. TDECU membership required. For full terms/conditions, contact TDECU. Federally insured by NCUA. 1To receive the $150 bonus, you must establish a recurring direct deposit in the amount of $100 or more within 60 days following the new primary checking account opening date. The bonus will be paid to your new checking account the month after a recurring direct deposit has been established on your account. Bonuses are considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT. 2APR and benefits are accurate as of February 1, 2015, and are subject to change without notice.

To receive $150 bonus, you must refinance your auto from another lender with TDECU and have or open a new primary checking account with a recurring direct deposit. Rate includes 0.25% discount for auto pay. Credit approval and proof of income required. Final rate will be based on your credit score. Required minimum loan amount is $3,000. Offer does not apply to existing auto loans or business auto loans. $150 bonus will be deposited into your new TDECU primary checking account once loan has been funded. 6002.9-Chk-Feb18

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NEWS

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SGA VOTES TO OUST ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE VP CARLUCCI, DEPUTIES

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Bill Sherrill, Wolff co-founder, will be the guest of honor at the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima | Pablo Milanese/The Cougar|

Wolff co-founder to be guest of honor at Iwo Jima ceremony THE COUGAR NEWS SERVICES Wolff founder and co-chairman Bill Sherrill will be the guest of honor at the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima ceremony on Thursday.

Sherrill enlisted in the Marines Corps at 15, shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He fought in the infamous battle and was wounded. He received a Purple Heart and was medically discharged.

The event will be held at the TBH Center, 333 South Jensen Drive. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. and will include the screening of the documentary, "Iwo Jima, The Boys of H Company." news@thedailycougar.com

INVESTIGATION

Continued from page 2 In the weeks preceding the Board of Regents meeting, SGA passed a vote of No Confidence, calling for the resignation of Vice President of Administration and Finance Carl Carlucci, Associate Vice President Emily Messa and Assistant Vice President Esmeralda Valdez.

During the SGA meeting, Haston said Carlucci has people "underneath him like Emily Messa and Esmeralda Valdez that demonstrated that they’re entirely incompetent" and that Carlucci's "solution to that is to take as many shortcuts as possible."

Faculty Senate President Wynne Chin spoke at the SGA meeting and presented a resolution in support of Carlucci, saying he has overseen several of the large positive changes UH has undergone. news@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, February 18, 2015 | 5

thedailycougar.com/news

NEWS

news@thedailycougar.com

Sara Samora, EDITOR

HEALTH

'A slow form of suicide': The struggle with anorexia Eating Disorders Awareness Week brings the dark side of a weight-obsessed society to light.

REBECCA HENNES

SENIOR STAFF WRITER @BECCAGHENNES

Leah Nash developed an eating disorder when she was just 14 years old. For the next six years, she lived miserably, confined to a cage of anorexia nervosa.

Nash's skin turned pale and cold, her hair started falling out, her sassy personality was gone.

She wore baggy clothes to hide her body and avoided friends and family to not have to lie about her eating habits.

“Anorexia is living in this weird world of your own that twists every minute into agony,” Nash said. “I was just so focused and determined to get through each minute not eating. It was easier to focus on the hollow feeling in my stomach, and the numbness that comes with malnutrition than to feel the real life pain I was avoiding.”

Nash is one of the hundreds of thousands of college students battling an eating disorder.

According to a study from National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), 86 percent of college students surveyed reported having an eating disorder by age 20. In that same study, 91 percent of women reported trying to control their weight through dieting.

According to ANAD, anorexia nervosa is characterized by “a relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight, a distortion of body image and intense fear of gaining weight.” People with anorexia often lose weight by excessive dieting and exercising, self-induced vomiting or laxatives.

“Eating disorders are very complicated – (they) often develop from a combination of behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological and social factors,” UH campus dietician Sarah Feye said. “I think college students are at risk due to new found independence, stress from excelling in academics and societal pressures.”

Diet fads have taken a more dangerous turn in recent years, which could be another reason for the huge proportion of college students that struggle with eating disorders. “Pro-ana,” “pro-mia” and “thinspiration” blogs that promote unhealthy weight loss have almost become commonplace. Sites like these create unrealistic expectations for teens and young adults

For additional info: If you or someone you know are dealing with an eating disorder, contact campus dietitian Sarah Feye: email: feye-sara@aramark.comStudents can also call the toll free confidential helpline at 1-800-9312237.

and only add more fuel to the fire.

“I can see how a girl or guy, with low self-esteem or intense depression and anxiety might go online to countless websites for some sort of relief or answer and find sickening images, ‘tips’ and horrible diets,” Nash said. “Everyone has probably seen 'thinspo' somewhere and heard of the thigh gap by now, and maybe it’s just too easy to find.”

The “thigh gap” Nash is referring to has become a significant trend among young girls and calls for them to have a noticeable gap between their thighs to be considered thin. Expectations like these can be extremely deadly.

According to the ANAD, eating disorders have higher mortality rates than any mental disorders, and even those numbers are slighted because those who suffer from an eating disorder may die of malnutrition, suicide, organ or heart failure and those complications are reported, not the disorder.

“The basic core of an eating disorder isn’t about food or weight — controlling food and focusing on your body and weight are just the symptoms,” Nash said. “Eating disorders are all about being able to control your life when you feel like it’s out of control because of life circumstances, anxiety, other mental disorders, or more likely a combination.”

After years of agony, Nash finally reached her breaking point and entered treatment at the Laureate Eating Disorders Program in Tulsa, Okla. Nash said her time in the program was difficult because she was not able to make her own choices and decisions, which is “basically torture” for someone who has an eating disorder.

“The first three quarters of your time at treatment, you want to go home the whole time,” Nash said.

“You want to lie and cheat and fake it until you just go home and go right back to where you started.

You see your treatment team as the enemy, and you convince yourself that they don’t know what they’re talking about.”

Nash said she finally found solace in the program by making friends that understood her situation.

“It was amazing being able to be around girls who understood why you were crying at lunch, or why it took you an hour to finish a sandwich, or when to tell you jokes and distract you so that you could finish that damn baked potato. You didn’t have to explain yourself to anyone, they already got it.”

Nash said she is still recovering from anorexia and that recovery is a work in progress.

“It occurred to me that there is something beyond the deepest part of your eating disorder,” Nash said.

“There’s more of an end to it than hospital beds and eventual death.

Because that is all anorexia is - a slow and cruel form of suicide.” news@thedailycougar.com

Eating Disorder Awareness Week runs Feb. 22 through 28. According to the official website, the week puts "spotlight on the seriousness of eating disorders and to improve... understanding of their causes, triggers and treatments." | Bigstock

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6 | Wednesday, February 18, 2015

OPINION thedailycougar.com/opinion

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Kelly Schafler, EDITOR

RELIGION

ISIS not representative of Muslims

H

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

umans are a ruthless species. But the vicious qualities that we wish to banish are not borne out of religion or ideology; they are simply building blocks of human nature.

In Iraq and Syria, the terrorist organization HENRY STURM ISIS is carving OPINION WRITER out its domain with cruelty and terrorism.

Journalists David Foley, Kenji Goto and Steven Sotloff and humanitarian aid workers Alan Henning and Kayla Mueller were all beheaded; Muath al-Kasasbeh, a Jordanian pilot, was burned alive in a cage.

Most recently, 21 Egyptians were beheaded in a gruesome video entitled "A Message Signed With Blood to the Nation of the Cross."

Members of ISIS are vicious, sadistic men and women. But out of the approximately 1.6 billion Muslim people in the world, violent extremists such as those in ISIS are a minority.

The events involving extremists in the Middle East have nothing to do with Islam. The events and the resulting false perception of Muslims are caused by violence — something that is ingrained in the primal instincts of humanity, not within religion.

Calling for a change In a CNN interview, Arsalan Iftikhar, an international human rights lawyer, said every Muslim organization in America "has condemned ISIS in public statements."

“We stand on street corners with bullhorns for the rest of our lives and we condemn terrorism, but for some people it’s never enough,” Iftikhar said. “They’re going to only focus on the minuscule extremist

“If anyone slew a person, unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land, it would be as if he slew the whole people; and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.”

-Qu'ran 5:32 minority and conflate that to represent all 1.6 billion Muslims.”

Non-Muslims and the media continuously call upon Muslims to condemn this violence, as if Muslims are responsible for terrorism.

According to Business Insider, esteemed members of the global Muslim community wrote a letter to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, rebuking his interpretation of Islam by saying it is "forbidden in Islam to kill emissaries, ambassadors and diplomats; hence it is forbidden to kill journal-

ists and aid workers."

Yet many non-Muslims believe Muslims support ISIS, as if the religion is defined by violence, and even supports such acts.

Executive director of UH's Gulen Institute Dogan Koc said “having (violence) as a religious establishment... will not continue for a long time.” Koc said a religion that is inherently violent will not survive.

People can buck against this idea, but the core of any religion is a desire for peace and the means to work towards harmony.

Religion and history

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“If you were someone living in the 12th century or 13th century, you would say the same thing for the crusaders, for the Catholics, ” Koc said.

The Crusades are but one example of the violent acts that have been undertaken in the name of Christianity. Religious studies professor Christian Eberhard said a lot of conquering and genocides have taken place by Christians.

“The colonial period... that was basically Western Christianity, they started to conquer the rest of the world,” Eberhart said. “This continent was born out of two genocides. The ones who committed these genocides against the Native American population and African-Americans were usually Christians.”

Non-Muslim commentators have said these historical events are ancient history and therefore not applicable to the conversation.

Christianity isn't considered a violent religion because those events occurred in a more barbaric time.

If history doesn't matter when one is talking about Christianity, then it technically shouldn't matter when one is talking about Islam.

Islam is not a violent religion; if it were, then so would be every other religion known to man — as well as almost any ideology.

PERCEPTION

Continues on next page

Cara Smith

MANAGING EDITOR

Jenae Sitzes

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

SPORTS EDITOR

Sean Alder

LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

Joshua Cochran OPINION EDITOR

Christopher Shelton

Kelly Schafler

NEWS EDITOR

Justin Tijerina

COPY CHIEF

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Sara Samora Taelor Marquetti-Gadison

PHOTO EDITOR

Glissette Santana

STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The Cougar Editorial Board (the members of which are listed above the editorial). All other opinions, commentaries and cartoons reflect only the opinion of the author. Opinions expressed in The Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major.

Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to 713-743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.

GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be limited to 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies, but rather should present independent points of view. Deliver submissions to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@ thedailycougar.com; or fax them to 713-743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.

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The Cougar is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press.

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Wednesday, February 18, 2015 | 7

thedailycougar.com/opinion

opinion@thedailycougar.com

OPINION

Kelly Schafler, EDITOR

PERCEPTION

Continued from previous page

Who is the bad guy?

Proximity to recent events is the true instigator of anti-Muslim perception.

“Usually there is a certain group … that didn’t have good (public) perception. I have a friend who told me, ‘Until a new group will come, Muslims will be the bad guys,’" Koc said. “Before Muslims it was the Soviets… then you have Asians and Germans… so usually you have an identifiable certain group that does not have a good perception.”

Anger can arise at the thought of false accusations and bigotry.

Yet the Muslims continue to work on focusing their energies on acts to promote peace.

Teaching and learning junior Wajiha Jawed, who is the walkathon manager for the UH Muslim Student Association, said that Islam, like any religion, “is a way of life that encourages people to become the best versions of themselves."

Eberhart said a study was done recently in which participants were asked if they were afraid of Islam and of Muslim people. The majority of participants did feel fear or discomfort towards Islam.

Illustration courtesy of Leah Nash

“A secondary finding is that the discomfort was articulated mostly in areas where people had pretty much no contact with Muslims and didn't know anything about Muslims,” Eberhart said. “It was the least articulated in areas where people knew Muslims and had contact with Muslims.”

Koc said he has “hope for the future,” and said when more intimate interactions between Western Christians and Muslims happen, “you will see better perception.”

Religions are based upon peace.

All violence and negativity stem from the raw egoism of humanity.

In Matthew 5:39 of the Bible, Jesus says, “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

“The last prophet of Islam Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him), was even kind to people who treated him terribly,”

Jawed said.

Spirituality works on the side of good and justice; don't turn your hearts away from those who love peace, regardless of your ideology.

Opinion columnist Henry Sturm is a print journalism junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar. com.

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8 | Wednesday, February 18, 2015

OPINION

thedailycougar.com/opinion

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Kelly Schafler, EDITOR

STAFF EDITORIAL

Slow down, SGA: Get the facts, then pass the resolution

I

Instead of rallying the student body around things they know people hate, members of SGA should call for an open investigation of Carlucci's department, not his resignation. | Francis Emelogu/The Cougar

Your home for FREE Lunch every Wednesday and Thursday during the Spring semester The A.D. Bruce Religion Center is the focal point for many on-campus religious and spiritual activities. It is a bustling center of many ongoing educational programs and activities focusing on religious issues with an emphasis on Interfaith Dialogue. The A.D. Bruce Religion Center offers a place for both quiet meditation and spiritual growth.

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/UHADBruce

t made national news. An over-budget, incomplete TDECU Stadium was thrust into the national spotlight after allegations that funds meant for academics went to finishing the stadium. Then Student Government Association President Charles Haston publicly came out and blamed one division for it all: The Division of Administration and Finance.

And that’s when the story starts to get complicated.

Led by Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance Carl Carlucci, Associate President Emily Messa and Assistant President Esmeralda Valdez, the Division has been under tremendous scrutiny from Haston and SGA since October.

Administration and Finance refused to present to the Student Fees Advisory Committee, which is mandatory for any organization on campus that receives a portion of the $250 Student Services Fee that is included in your tuition bill every semester.

In lieu, Carlucci presented to SGA in November, where he was accused by Haston of lying to SGA on the terms of deals with Aramark and the ability for Sports and Entertainment to run UH's 40,000 seat stadium, when it only had experience running facilities that didn’t hold half of the capacity of TDECU. Four audits have been launched, and while the investigation into stadium academic funds found no violations, a question still arises: Are Carlucci and his divison really the ones to blame?

Hot words like parking, Aramark and the stadium have escalated the situation into a new stratosphere, and SGA is riding the rocket — along with a mountain of accusations — all the way to the top. These buzzwords filled a Change.org petition that's garnered over 1,300 signatures and made multiple rounds around Facebook.

Though Haston said he insisted on the petition's author, economics and political science freshman Dalton Laine, writing a disclaimer that Laine isn't affiliated with SGA, the petition has been shared by numerous members of SGA on social media.

"I think it was nice for us to see that we had some grassroots work," Haston said.

And for the record, Haston said that he isn't happy with how he's handled the situation, and that he "agrees" with The Cougar's stance that they haven't handled the situation as tactfully as they could've.

"We've been working on issues with the MOU for nine months, and we've tried really hard to work behind the scenes and not work in public," Haston said. "But, at some point, we weren't making any progress and we realized the only way to get (the administration) to respond was to make things public."

The Faculty Senate Executive Committee issued a resolution supporting Carlucci until the rest of the audits are completed. They said that while they understand the issues, Carlucci has overseen many changes on campus, including the addition of residential housing.

The Cougar agrees with the Faculty Senate that no judgment should be made on who is to blame for the entire situation until all of the audits are completed and presented to the Board of Regents. The Cougar also praises SGA for trying to keep students informed by demanding transparency between the Administration and the students.

Haston has been vocal about all the ways that Administration and Finance, especially under the leadership of Carlucci, has failed the students. However, for an SGA administration that has been consistently battling against the UH administration in the name of the student body, they have been going about this whole situation from the wrong perspective.

SGA should realize that real people stand behind these accusations, and while we – like the Faculty Senate — understand the issues, we do not agree with UB 51006: No Confidence against the Department of Administration and Finance. We will not take sides until all parts of this convoluted conversation are accounted for.

Every SGA administration is known for something throughout its year-long reign. With the 51st administration of the Student Government Association coming to a close in the next couple of weeks, is a possible witch hunt what they want to be known for?

Wednesday, February 18, 2015 | 9 thedailycougar.com/sports

sports@thedailycougar.com

SPORTS

Sean Alder, EDITOR

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Barnes emerges as quiet leader for the Cougars SHARDANNA JONES

you’re finally being rewarded?

STAFF WRITER

LB: I am having a lot of fun. I respect (Sampson) a lot because of what he’s been through and to get to work with him is very fun.

@SHAYGOTIT

Although head coach Kelvin Sampson says there’s nothing “flashy or pretty or glitzy” about him, “every team needs a LeRon Barnes.”

"He's a tough kid. If I had somebody that would carry our flag, our banner, it would be LeRon. I want our program to be known for guys like LeRon Barnes," Sampson said.

One of three appointed team captains, Barnes has remained an asset for the Cougars on the floor — but he does so quietly.

The Cougar: Coach Sampson has been very complimentary of you as a person. How were you guys able to mesh so well?

LeRon Barnes: I think it’s because I just try to be myself around him. I also try to be a good role model to my teammates, I love basketball, and I am just doing right. I also graduate this spring. I guess he liked that.

TC: You had a slow start at UH

TC: You said that one of the reasons that you chose UH is because of its academics. Is it tough to balance academics and being successful on the court while also trying to be a role model for your teammates?

LB: It’s not that hard; you just have to plan. My freshman year was tough because I was always trying to go out and have fun, and I wasn't really thinking about my school work. Now I just plan accordingly.

Redshirt junior guard LeRon Barnes represents the Cougars in the AAC's Top 10 rebounders. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

due to injuries. Can you reflect on your past seasons and what you've taken from them? How were those first years?

LB: My freshman year was difficult because I was so excited coming in. I

was ready to play, and then I messed my groin up, so I had to sit out. It actually helped me out a lot because I got to see things that you can’t see on the floor. That helped me out a lot, and it helped me mature. I was frustrated in the beginning, then my mom and a

PARTICIPATE AND WIN!

Have you heard that the UH is conducting the NCHA this February?

• • • • • •

FitBits Nike Jawbones Personal training sessions at Campus Rec Local massage Acupuncture sessions Gift certificates from Whole Foods, Central Marrket and the UH Bookstore

The University of Houston is conducting the National College Health Assessment this February. We will be raffling off these prizes for students who complete the survey.

Check your email, as you may have been one of a limited number of students asked to participate! You will be helping shape the programs and services on-campus.

For questions, contact UH Wellness at (713) 743-5430.

lot of people around me told me to just relax because it was going to come.

TC: Sampson said that you just show up and do your job, but are you having more fun this year than past years? Do you feel like

TC: What is your main influence?

What or who are you being a role model for?

LB: I just want to be known as a hard worker. When someone mentions my name I just want them to know that I work hard, and I have a good work ethic.

sports@thedailycougar.com

10 | Wednesday, February 18, 2015

SPORTS

thedailycougar.com/sports

sports@thedailycougar.com

Sean Alder, EDITOR

TENNIS

Asian food, hard work becomes winning formula Armed with a dedicated group of returners, the Cougars have an NCAA tournament berth in their sights

Senior Elena Kordolaimi hopes to lead the Cougars this spring after helping the team through a successful fall season. | File Photo/The Cougar

EFREN DIOSDADO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

For UH, sesame chicken has become a good luck charm. The team has embraced a sesame chicken meal as part of their pregame superstition.

“I like variety in my dining options,” head coach Patrick Sullivan said. “But I’ll be going sesame chicken until we lose again.”

After having a successful fall semester, the Cougars hope to start the spring season where they left off.

While the team’s goal is to win the conference, climb the rankings and make the NCAA tournament, Sullivan wants to make sure his players are out there having fun.

“Our goal is to have a great attitude, work hard, and the success... will follow,” Sullivan said. “But we don’t really set ranking goals or performance goals…we just want to be playing our best tennis in April.”

Senior Elena Kordolaimi credited the team’s work ethic to their success in the fall and said she

INTRAMURAL SPORTS SPORT

REGISTRATION

EVENT TIME

Outdoor Soccer League

2/9-2/26 @ 12pm

Capt. Meeting Th 12/26, 4pm

Racquetball Singles (one day tourney)

2/16-2/27 @ 3pm

Fr 2/27, 3-6pm

4v4 Flag Football League

3/2-3/12 @ 12pm

Capt. Meeting Th 3/12 @ 4pm

Basketball Skills Competition

3/23-4/1 @ 7pm

We 4/1, 6pm - 10pm CRWC Main Gym

Golf Doubles

3/23-4/13 @ 12pm

Fr 4/17, 1- 6pm TBA

Co-Rec Basketball 6 ft & under

3/23-4/2 @ 12pm

Capt. Meeting Th 4/2 @ 4pm

Tennis Singles

3/23-4/10 @ 3pm

Fr 4/10,3-6pm Hoff Tennis Cts 4/27-4/30 MAC

Floor Hockey (week tournament)

4/5-4/20

A full Spring ‘15 IM Sports/Activities schedule can be found online

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believes it will project into this season as well.

“Hard work shows later,” Kordolaimi said. “I think if we keep on working hard, that’s going to show later during the season, especially in May when things get tough.”

Sullivan said he wants to make sure his team is not looking past anyone because of the success they had in the fall.

“What happens now is a whole new ballgame, so it was nice to give us confidence, and we were playing really well in the fall, but that’s essentially the preseason,” Sullivan said, “While feeling good about it, we’re trying to forget about it and reset it, start it over and do the same thing in the spring.”

Because tennis can be an intense sport, Sullivan said he wants to focus on mentally preparing his team for matches this season.

“Competing well is what we’re focusing on,” Sullivan said. “Just being vocal, mental and physical competitors. Because I think we

have the talent to play with anybody in the country, but so much of this game is emotional in a way that they don’t understand.”

The team has also incorporated the Australian Open into their preparation this semester.

Favorite players among them include Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic as they try to find something to take away from every match.

“The first thing that I (admire) is their mentality,” Kordalaimi said.

“The fact that they can stay calm throughout good and bad.”

Sullivan emphasized how well the pro-athletes compete and how focused they are.

“In tennis there is no clock.

The time never runs out on you,” Sullivan said. “If you can just find a way to keep on digging and fighting and you get that break, or maybe the other person cracks or cramps... so many things can happen if you just fight for one more point and hang in there.” sports@thedailycougar.com

FITNESS Climber’s Yoga Retreat February 28th 6:00am - 9:00am In yoga you're taugh to be grounded, now show yourself you can also rise above. Join the fitness and outdoor adventure staff for a fun-filled day of rock climbing and yoga in Reimers Ranch.

Cost includes all equipment rental, instruction, and lunch. No previous experience with rock climbing or yoga is required. Registration is in the Outdoor Adventure office.

Cost: $35 | Instructor: Katrina

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Sat 3/2

Fundamentals of Belay Certification UH Student $5

Sat 3/7

Horseback Riding in Galveston

UH Student $60 Guest $80

Sat 3/7

Farmers Bike Ride

UH Student $15

Guest $30

Sat 3/28

Biking in Huntsville State Park

UH Student $30

Guest $50

Sat 4/4

Lake Charlotte Kayaking

UH Student $25

Guest $50

Fri-Sun 4/10-4/12

Canoe Village Creek

UH Student $100 Guest $150

A full OA trip schedule and Adventure Demos can be found online.

713-743-9512

Wednesday, February 18, 2015 | 11 thedailycougar.com/sports

sports@thedailycougar.com

SPORTS

Sean Alder, EDITOR

SOFTBALL

Cougars split home-opening Hilton Invitational ADAM COLEMAN

STAFF WRITER

The Cougars opened their 2015 home season this weekend with five games, including two double-headers, as they hosted the Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational.

The Cougars took on the University of Northern Iowa Panthers and McNeese State Cowgirls on the first day, the University of Massachusetts Minutewomen and DePaul Blue Demons on the Saturday and closed out the weekend against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks.

The Cougars started off the tournament strong with a 5-2 victory over the Northern Iowa Panthers. The Panthers struck first, but the Cougars answered with a three-run third inning which was all freshman pitcher Kayla Maxwell needed to get the win.

“We got to keep picking away, growing in inches and get into the Women’s College World Series,” Maxwell said.

Houston was unable to complete the sweep after dropping a tightly contested game to McNeese State 1-3. The Cougars got on the board early in the first inning but the Cowgirls’ pitching was on another level, retiring the next eight batters and 12 of the

Junior outfielder Katie St. Pierre had a big weekend at the Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational. She now leads the Cougars with 17 hits on 40 at-bats. | Brittaney Penney/The Cougar

final 22.

The bats came alive on a drama-filled day two of the tournament. Thanks to clutch batting from senior designated

hitter Jaime Edwards, the Cougars started off Valentine ’s Day with a 5-4 walk off victory.

Edwards knew what she had to do and she delivered. “I knew

that I’ve been swinging well the past few weeks,” Edwards said. “I personally like outside, and they brought in a curveball pitcher so I knew I was the one that needed to

be up in that situation.”

The drama wasn’t over yet though. In the Cougars’ second game, the DePaul Blue Demons jumped out to 3-0 lead and it looked as if they would cruise to an easy victory. Junior first baseman Courtney Klingler had other plans, however, as she knocked a two-run home run scoring freshman Kaylin Crumpton.

The Cougars continued their hot hitting in the sixth pulling away and earning a 5-3 victory over the defending Big East champions.

Closing out the tournament, the Cougars fell short 5-1 to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks due to a big seventh inning.

The Cougars (6-6) finished the tournament 3-2 and continue to grow as a team.

“I think overall we showed a lot of what we can do as a team,” said senior catcher/second baseman Kayla Holland. “Obviously we have things we need to work on like every team and we’re just going to get back after it in practice.”

Next up for Houston is No. 2 Oregon (6-0) and its high-powered offense for a double header starting Feb. 16. sports@thedailycougar.com

WALK to save lives Get involved.

Register.

Donate online.

campuswalks.org 1-888-333-AFSP (2377)

AT THE LYNN EUSAN PARK SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2015 CHECK-IN: 8-9 AM PROGRAM BEGINS AT 9 AM ENDS AT NOON

Senior pitcher Aaron Garza took the mound for the Cougars' finale to their three-game weekend as the team picked up their third win against Minnesota thanks to solid performances. | Sara Hoffman/The Cougar

UH's strong pitching, clutch hitting leads to sweep The Cougars opened their home season this weekend as they hosted a three-game series against the Minnesota Gophers. The Cougars had high expectations to live up to with a No. 3 national ranking from Baseball America. After scoring 19 runs when allowing five over three games, Houston did their best to meet the bar. The Cougars opened the weekend with a home run-filled 9-1 victory over the Gophers Friday night to be followed by a 5-0 shutout from junior pitcher Jake Lemoine on Saturday and a walk-off single from freshman Connor Wong to secure a 5-4 victory on Sunday.

WA L S U P M CA

KS

For information email Juan Guzman at jjguzman3@uh.edu or call 713-743-4222

SPONSORED BY UH PROGRAM FOR MASTERY IN ENGINEERING STUDIES (UH-PROMES)

12 | Wednesday, February 18, 2015

LIFE & ARTS thedailycougar.com/life-arts 

arts@thedailycougar.com 

Joshua Cochran, EDITOR

EVENTS

Take a weekend to explore another kind of New Year JOSHUA COCHRAN

LIFE AND ARTS EDITOR @CLOUDTOPCRUISE

Parkway South.

Though each day features different events, both will be full of dances and fireworks. The event is free to attend, so take advantage of any spare time you have over the weekend to witness the celebration.

For a full itinerary of events, visit the event website.

Lunar New Year may warrant a national holiday in Vietnam or China, but in America, it is often celebrated on weekends.

Lunar New Year celebrations will stretch on until midMarch; some Tet (an all-inclusive word referring to Lunar New Year) celebrations won't begin until the last week of February. Take a future weekend to explore Houston's cultural heritage by attending one of many upcoming Lunar New Year events.

Tet Lunar New Year Parade

Texas Lunar Festival

Houston Vietnamese Lunar New Year

This multicultural event has been held for 19 years to bring the city together to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and for the first time will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Discover Green.

Participants will witness traditional dances, songs, attire and music, ranging from Chinese and Korean cultures to those of the Philippines and India.

Tickets cost $10 and may be purchased online. For a full itinerary of events, visit the event website.

The Vietnamese Community of Houston and Vicinity will host Tet, the Vietnamese celebration of the Lunar New Year, from 1 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 28 and March 1 at Hong Kong City Mall, 11205 Bellaire Blvd.

Attractions include a cultural exhibition, game booths, a food court with more than 40 selected vendors and traditional Vietnamese games and opera. Both parking and admission are free.

The Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School will host a Lunar New Year celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 28 at 6300 Avenue B. The event is free to attend, and includes performances from the students, a

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E. OT

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A two-day celebration of the Year of the Green Wooden Goat will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Viet Hoa Center, 8388 W. Sam Houston

Chinese New Year Festival 2015

OU R

Lunar New Year Houston Celebration

Tet is a Vietnamese celebration of the Lunar New Year, and this year a parade will be held from 10 a.m. to noon., starting at the Saigon Houston Plaza, 10603 Bellaire Blvd., and concluding at Cook Road.

UN

. S H O P PI N G. S

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Lion dancing is a prominent feature of the Lunar New Year. It is said to bring luck. | Courtesy of Mai Nguyen

dragon dance, and a bake sale. arts@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, February 18, 2015 | 13

thedailycougar.com/life-arts

arts@thedailycougar.com

LIFE & ARTS

Joshua Cochran, EDITOR

CULTURE

The Lunar New Year: A story of red, fire and light KARIS JOHNSON

LIFE AND ARTS WRITER

In Chinese culture, a great beast known as Nian was said to appear on the first day of every year to devour produce, livestock and children. Only the color red and fire could repel the beast and avert its destructive path.

At the beginning of each year, people would hang red flags and banners from their door posts and light bamboo shoots with fire to ward off the Nian. The success of this yearly tradition has become what is today known as the Lunar New Year festival.

As for the celebration's famous 12-animal zodiac, a Buddhist legend offers a popular answer as to why the specific animals were chosen.

In the legend, Buddha asked all of the animals to gather on the first day of the Lunar New Year, but only 12 animals appeared. To honor the animals' obedience, Buddha decided to name a year after each one of

them.

Tomorrow ushers in the Year of the Wooden Ram. The ram, or sheep, is associated with creativity, intelligence, charm and harmony.

The Lunar Year, an Asian calendar based on the cycles of the moon, is part of a tradition and cultural history that is misunderstood in Western culture. For example, what is called Lunar New Year is shared by more cultures than most might assume.

"Japan, Korea, Vietnam and many other Asian cultures all share the spring festival," said Sharon Wen, director of the Chinese Studies Department.

While nations other than China celebrate the event, many of the core superstitions are rooted in China's historic influence on the language and culture of East Asia.

An example would be the scrupulous cleaning that is often done before the first day of the Lunar Year. The Chinese character for "dust" can also be read as "evil spirits," so cleaning for the

Be you. Belong.

New Year isn't physical so much as it is symbolic of the evil being dusted out so the good luck can be welcomed in.

The Lantern Festival, which traditionally falls on the fifteenth day of the Lunar Year, involves families painting and decorating paper lanterns and sending them into the sky as a symbol of hope for the new year.

Though the lanterns can be intricately crafted, the principle remains the same, and harkens back to the need for fire to ward off Nian.

From enjoying the traditional food, such as moon cakes and dumplings, to making time for family and friends, Wen said she believes the Lunar New Year festival is an experience for everyone.

The Department of Chinese Studies will celebrate the Lunar New Year on Friday from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in Agnes Arnold Hall Rm. 104. Students will have the chance to observe traditional Chinese performances while enjoying cultural food and

games.

To appreciate a different culture, you need to be exposed to it many times," Wen said.

"It should be shared." arts@thedailycougar.com

On Thursday, we will enter the Year of the Wooden Ram. | BigStock

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14 | Wednesday, February 18, 2015

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WORSHIP DIRECTORY

CATHOLIC MASS ON CAMPUS

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ACROSS . 1 Musician Clapton . 5 “Stop acting up!” . 11 “Eight” starter .14 Like Erte’s style .15 Stayed away from .16 Alternate sp., in crossword clues .17 Filled with uncontrollable emotion .19 Cy Young Award stat .20 Boardwalk sights .21 One spelling for a zigzagging ribbon used as trimming .23 In an angry way .26 Give cheer to .27 Made flood-resistant, as a river bank .28 Olympic skiing category .31 Discharge through the pores .32 Ending passage in music .33 Units of resistance .36 Balloon filler .37 Job possibility .40 Three, on sundials .41 Russian despot 43Yemeni port .44 Pops the cork .46 Bangs, yells, sirens, etc. .48 Annoyances .49 Annex .51 Numbers game,

e.g. .52 Natural hideout .54 They often wear dark eyeliner .55 White House Web-address ending .56 Where Jack and Jill live now? .61 “If ___ told you once ...” .62 Make null and void .63 Cookie favorite .64 Bard’s “always” .65 Acid, water or wind, over time .66 Butter units DOWN . 1 Tokyo, once . 2 Accelerate (with “up”) . 3 Word with “skater” or “water” . 4 Nonspeaking “CSI” roles . 5 Descried . 6 Day starter? . 7 “The Merry Drinker” painter Frans . 8 Naval officer (Abbr.) . 9 Tack, nautically .10 Swirled, as a whirlpool . 11 Perform better than one needs to .12 200 milligrams .13 Make an outline of

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Aware of History Muse Athletic shoe part Kathy Lee’s old partner Repeatedly Fifth canonical hour Father of Balder Went lickety-split Transfer ownership Underground laborer Oscar winner Spacek Ballerina’s step “Faust” author Dig for truffles Fish-food seller Chant Much ado about not very much Longhorn’s rival Herd, as cattle Lehmann or Lenya This puzzle’s theme word Mortarboard sporter, briefly “I” affliction Nest egg, for some Permits ___ Gatos, Calif.

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Puzzle answers online

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Wednesday, Month XX, 2014 | 15

CALENDAR TODAY

103.

Faculty Senate Meeting 

Beautiful Me:  Overcoming Body Image Concerns

All faculty are welcome to join in this meeting to discuss various topics regarding faculty policy for 2015. This meeting will be held in the Rockwell Pavilion of the M.D. Anderson Library from 12:15 to 2 p.m.

Movers & Shakers

Retailing Revolution

The University of Houston Retailing and Consumer Science (RCS) Program and College of Technology invite students to participate in the Movers & Shakers 2015 event, “Retailing Revolution.”

The event will be held in the Isabel C. Cameron Building from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Several retail industry leaders will conduct interviews.

Contact the Retailing & Consumer Science program for scheduling info and to register for workshops.

The World Unseen 

This film will be shown in honor of Valentine's Day (LGBT style).

The LGBT Resource Center will host this film at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center South Theatre Rm.

CAPS will host this event to celebrate all body types and dismantle negative criticisms regarding bodies. This event will be from noon to 1 p.m. in the Student Service Center, Conference Rm. 210D.

THURSDAY, FEB. 19 Still Alice: Understanding 

Alzheimer's

The Blaffer Art Museum will host neuroscientist and author Lisa Genova.

She will share her experiences and insights about Alzheimer's disease followed by a Q&A. This event is a part of the Blaffer Art Museum Innovation Series — a slate of public programs presented in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s-related Blaffer exhibition "Janet Biggs: Echo of the Unknown". This event will be held at the Cullen Performance Hall from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Arab Studies Film  Screening & Talk

l Sports | l Campus events | l City events | The UH Arab Studies program, World Affairs Council Houston and Arab American Cultural and Community Center present the screening of "Marina of the Zabbaleen" and a talk by director Engi Wassef. This event will be held in Agnes Arnold Hall, Room 618, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 20 UH Men's Baseball  The Cougars, 3-0, will play the Alabama Crimson Tide at 6:30 p.m. at Cougar Field. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Crafty Coogs  The UH Office of Sustainability invites students to help reduce waste on campus by upcycling old and unwanted items into things with another functional use. They will provide options for the novice and advanced crafter.

Most items will be supplied, but bring unwanted T-shirts and broken jewelry to supplement items. This event will be held 1 p.m. in the Student Center South.

SATURDAY, FEB. 21 UH Men's Basketball 

See more upcoming events at thedailycougar.com/calendar

The Cougars, 9-15, will play the Cincinatti Bearcats at 8:30 p.m. in Hofheinz Pavilion. The game will be televised on ESPNU.

event will be from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Moores Opera House.

Bike through Buffalo 

Black in America Tour

Buffalo Bayou Partnership and BikeHouston invites Houstonians to join them for a slow six-mile bike ride through the park, with various stops to rest and learn riding safety tips, starting at 10 a.m. near the bicycle stand on the Sabine Street Brdige. Admission is $10 and can be purchased online.

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion will host this tour to reflect on the experience of being black in the United States. Soledad O'Brien, American Broadcast Journalist, Executive Producer and Philanthropist, will be on campus to speak about the tour and answer questions. This event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Cullen Performance Hall.

Bayou Park

SUNDAY, FEB. 22 Dean's Movie Night  Honors College Dean Bill Monroe invites students to join his Religion and Literature class for their next film, "Agnes of God." This event will start at 7 p.m. in the Honors College Commons.

Food and drinks will be provided.

MONDAY, FEB. 23

Percussion Ensemble The Moores School of Music will host its Percussion Ensemble, featuring Blake Wilkins as director and works

by Becker, Trevino and Lauridsen. This

TUESDAY, FEB. 24

 Graduation Fair This marks the start of a campus-wide, four-day graduation fair. During this event, Spring 2015 graduates will be able to stop by the bookstore to pick up essentials for graduation. This event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Center Barnes and Noble Bookstore.

Promote your organization's events by emailing us a description of the event with its place and time: copychief@thedailycougar.com

16 | Wednesday, February 18, 2015

LIFE & ARTS

thedailycougar.com/life-arts

arts@thedailycougar.com

Joshua Cochran, EDITOR

CULTURE

A new year, a new beginning

Lunar New Year is a tradition that aims for a brighter future while clinging to ancient superstitions DIANA NGUYEN

LIFE AND ARTS WRITER

If you know somebody that celebrates Lunar New Year, you might remember getting a red envelope from them.

Inside was usually a coin, maybe more depending on the generosity of the giver, as a wish for good luck.

All of this was but part of a larger celebration: the start of the Lunar New Year.

“When I was younger, I used to go to (Buddhist) temple, and that’s when they have Tet, all the lanterns and festivities,” said Linda Nguyen, an environmental science sophomore, of celebrating Lunar New Year.

“We wore our ao dai (a traditional, formal Vietnamese garment), but now we barely do anything. We just get red envelopes and say ‘Chúc mung nam moi’(‘Happy New Year’ in Vietnamese). ” Being the first major American port to open its harbor to refugees

Justin Kwan, left of the police officer, and the lion dance performers at the Houston Shaolin Academy. | Diana Nguyen/The Cougar

during the Vietnam War, Houston boasts the largest Vietnamese population of any major city in the United States. It’s no surprise, then, that getting red envelopes isn’t too odd of an experience, and neither is the awareness of Lunar New Year.

Biochemistry and biophysics sophomore Christopher Le-Vu said that for his family, Lunar New Year is about following superstitions. Considering that Lunar New

The dragon is a symbol commonly associated with Lunar New Year. | BigStock

Year was started to keep a giant monster from devouring crops, livestock and children, this makes perfect sense.

“My parents make me leave the house and come back in,” Le-Vu said. “My mom will be like ‘So cua con’ (‘your number’ in Vietnamese).

It’s another way of saying ‘it’s your future.'”

Another luck-bringing tradition is the lion dance. Le-Vu said it’s one of his favorite parts of Lunar New Year, and supply-chain senior Justin Kwan actually performs the lion dance.

“Lion dancing has deep roots in the Lunar New Year, primarily to start the new year with good fortune,” Kwan said. “Businesses will usually hire lion dance troupes to ensure a prosperous year.”

Kwan, part of the Houston Shaolin Academy,

started lion dancing in 2006 after being encouraged by his Kung Fu brothers and sisters. Together, they performed at various Houston restaurants, offices, corporate events and even the NBA's "Year of the Snake" celebration.

“I’ve been lion dancing for almost the last decade, teaching it for at least the last seven years,” Kwan said. “I consider it one of my passions and talents. I do think of myself as a relatively shy individual, but in the lion-head, all reservations are gone and I’m there to perform.”

Kwan said the audience is what makes his effort worth it.

“Our bigger performances include Hong Kong City Mall, where we’ve (been given) the prime-time slots for the last two years because of the quality of our performance,” Kwan said.

“This show alone usually gathers at least 1,000 spectators to watch us entertain them with our show.

The cheering of the crowds and the excitement on childrens' faces manages to make me smile every time, no matter how exhausting it may be.”

Kwan said celebrating the Lunar New Year helps him stay close to his Asian heritage.

“I feel that Lunar New Year is a great opportunity to learn about Asian culture, especially if you’re American-born but of Asian descent,” Kwan said. “I find it hard to admit that I’m extremely knowledgeable about my culture, but I do feel much

closer to my Chinese roots when I celebrate Lunar New Year by performing for thousands of people every year.”

Kwan and the Houston Shaolin Academy will perform their lion dance to welcome the Lunar New Year tonight starting at 11:30 p.m. at the Texas Guandi Temple, 2089 Milby St. arts@thedailycougar.com

Lunar New Year Superstitions Clean before the New Year, but not on the first day, or else you'll sweep away the good luck!

Don't buy a book, because the Chinese word for "book" sounds like the Cantonese word for "lose."

Haircuts are good, but washing isn't. You might wash all of your luck out of your hair.