February 25, 2010
ARTS AND LIFE
Page 11
Undergraduate finds accomplishment UTPA By Pamela Morales pmorales@broncs.utpa.edu
The search for success in college and beyond starts with effort but extends to using all available resources to learn and improve. Saturday an English major at The University of Texas-Pan American got some insight on how to be active in the pursuit. Haydee Villarreal was given the opportunity to present an abstract of her essay, “Godwin vs. Darwin: Survival of the Most Valuable?” at a conference, Bridges and Borders: Exploring the Confluence of Languages, Disciplines, and Cultures conference. The conference at The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College was put on by the English Undergraduate/Graduate Advancement and Development Society, also known as EGADS. Villarreal is a junior from McAllen. Her essay was first written as a final paper for a Survey of English Literature class last semester but unexpectedly became an entry in the British Literature section of the Brownsville conference. Dr. Rebecca Mitchell, a professor in the English department, had suggested during class that students submit their work to any publications within or outside the campus. “I always encourage (students) to pursue any avenue for taking their work to the next level,” said Mitchell,
UTB/TSC, wanting to show her mother who has been at UTPA for four years. But Villarreal, also part of the Honors and professors just how dedicated she program, felt that the suggestion wasn’t is about her work. Yet, another too reassuring. obstacle followed. She said at first, After the first she didn’t plan presenter was on submitting it “ I hope this, even introduced by because she felt itʼs a small a UTB English her essay wouldn’t though p r o f e s s o r, be as good as the Villarreal’s already others. But after a c c o m p l i s h m e n t , worried look a few days, she motivates other writers to became more decided to go for it noticeable. The first anyway. get their work out there. section of British “I thought if Literature had you try,” Villarreal Itʼs not as hard as one students presenting recalled, “then might think it is. ” thesis papers for there’s a chance a master’s degree. of being chosen Intimidation even if it is not flushed her face. guaranteed. If you “I think don’t try, there’s a Haydee Villarreal intimidation came 100 percent chance English major from being among you won’t get people who have chosen.” been working on T h i s 20-some-page philosophy soon became a reality when Villarreal papers,” she related. “My essay was received an acceptance letter. She only 10 pages and so I felt like I was was ecstatic to tell her mother whom not on their level.” When her section’s turn came she said was very happy for her and very proud of her accomplishment. around, she realized just how worked Although the acceptance was up she was getting about presenting. A satisfying, Villarreal soon realized small technical error moved her from another challenge: presenting the being second to first but Villarreal was glad she was able to lead off. abstract in front of a crowd. “I got compliments from the Not knowing much about the conference or how it worked or who professors,” she said, “and they told would even attend, Villarreal still me my work was original and asked traveled an hour from her home to me how I came up with the idea (about
Godwin and Darwin).” Her idea came when she read Godwin and Darwin’s texts during class and found that both philosophers were different because of their view of who is justified to survive. Godwin favors to save the intellectual while Darwin favors the strongest and smartest. Villarreal’s argument saw that although both were different, their view of justification clashed when given another thought. Mitchell, who also attended, said Villarreal’s essay was strong because of her ability to compare two different texts of thought, “She was able to bring out the similarities in logic in Godwin and Darwin’s arguments.” Overall, Villarreal’s experience helped her learn about presenting and gave her confidence to submit to other events. She said Mitchell’s reassuring remark about attending more conferences gave her motivation to keep writing and submitting. She also said that the conference seminar she heard on how to publish works in journals was helpful. Mitchell noted that the path Villarreal took to presenting is a natural one. “I think just about everyone has some level of anxiety about the value and quality of their own work,” she insisted. Villarreal concluded that her experience is one that other students might find helpful. “I hope this, even though it’s a small accomplishment, motivates other writers to get their work out there. It’s not as hard as one might think it is.”
Seen & Captured
Alma Hernandez / the pan american
MY BOLOGNA HAS FANS - (From left) Luis Leal, Gilbert Burnnemann, and Darral Simmons pose in front of Wienermobile on Feb. 24 at the COAS circle.
Jeffers Theatre brings farce to life in March run By Cecily Saldana cecilydino@yahoo.com UTPA’s University Theatre Productions will present its first play of the year, Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off” from March 3- 8. “Noises Off” is a play within a play in which the audience gets a glimpse of what happens on stage as well as backstage. It follows the cast, crew and director of a play called “Nothing On,” a British sex comedy, while they try taking the production to Broadway. Originally a one-act British play, it has developed into a three-act deal over the years and has been tweaked to appeal to an American audience. “It’s just a classic farce,” says the play’s director, Jack Stanley. “It shows the best and worst of what can happen during a production and takes it to the extreme.” The cast members echoed this appraisal. “It’s a bunch of running around; it’s just chaotic,” says Cassandra Dean, a TV/film major who acts in the play. Stanley hopes “Noises Off” will help the audience get a better understanding of what goes into forming a production. It captures what really can go wrong in a show. He selected the play last year and has been working on it for about six months. It has some interesting scenes. “It’s an all-out farce, pretty much anything goes. One character is in her underwear the whole show,” Dean said. One thing that has helped the play come together smoothly, according to Dean is the casting. “It’s been a lot of fun. We all feed off each other really well,” she said. “I think Dr. Stanley did a great job casting.” With all the chaos and half-naked people running, around “it’s not a children’s play,” warned Stanley. As always, children younger than third-grade age will not be allowed to enter. If you really want to see all the exciting commotion that is happening backstage, this is the perfect opportunity. “Noises Off” is set to run March 3-6 at 8 pm, March 7 at 2 p.m. and a final benefit performance March 8 at 8 p.m. at the Albert L Jeffers Theatre in the Communication Arts & Sciences Building. Reserve seating is $12.00, general admission is $8.00, $3.00 for non-UTPA students and UTPA students/faculty/staff get in for free plus a guest with valid UTPA ID. For reservations or more information please call the University Theatre Box Office at 956 381-3581.