Vol. 96, No. 10 - 04/08/2009

Vol. 96 Issue 10

The Rattler St. Mary’s University Student Newspaper

04.08.09

Reconnecting tradition Homecoming ‘Baby Bake’ gets captured in photos Page 14

The Fox

Play starts off slow, acting strengthens towards end Page 20

NCAA Tournament

Minnesota State-Mankato wins Elite Eight tournament Page 28

onLINE TOOL LETS STUDENTS assess more than just classes page 18

News

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04.08.09

Police Blotter 3/26/09 Accident reported in Lot M. 3/27/09 Theft reported in Marian Hall, investigation pending.

3/28/09 Student Handbook violation involving alcohol in John Donohoo Hall. StMU citation issued and referred to judicial affairs.

Burglary of a vehicle in Lot O. 3/30/09 Burglary of a vehicle in Lot S. Practice fire alarm and student handbook violation in Anthony Fredrick Hall. Building cleared and referred to judicial affairs 3/31/09 Fire alarm in Dougherty Hall.

Building cleared and alarm reset, no cause for the alarm was found.

4/1/09 Traffic violation at Rattler Drive and Velasquez. County citation issued.

4/2/09 Violation of Student Handbook in Lot O. StMU citation issued, immobilization warning notice issued, referred to Judicial Affairs.

Minor accident in Lot L.

News in Brief Campus leadership gets recognition Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

University Center Conference Room A The university invites students to attend Distinguished Leaders Night when the school recognizes the Presidential Award honorees.

In addition to these awards, winners of RA and STARS of the year will be announced and other prominent leaders will also be recognized.

Index News Commentary Features Entertainment Sports

An undergraduate student and member of Amnesty International kneels at a demonstration against Guantánamo Bay. The demonstration was to help create awareness about the prison as well as to advocate the release of the 255 prisoners detained there, the youngest being 13 years old. Photo

by Analicia Perez

2-6 7-11 12-18 19-23 24-28

Contact Us: 210-436-3401 (office) 210-431-3407 (fax) rattlernews@stmarytx.edu Cover design by Amanda Rodriguez

Students promote environmental awareness

Reduce stress by eating free desserts

Monday, April 20–Friday, April 24

Monday, April 27–Friday, May 1

This year is the second annual Go Green Week sponsored by the Student Government Association. In promotion for environmental consciousness and responsibility, they will host a variety of events such as a movie night and Adopt-a-Spot.

Study Week or “dead week” will be filled with sweetness as University Ministry will be offering free desserts.

Registered Student Organizations (RSO) are encouraged to participate and the RSO with the most attendance at the events will win a prize.

Students are welcome to take a study break and stop by every day of the week for a different treat.

SGA elections are fast approaching

Honeybees attack treecutters near campus

Cisneros celebrates 25th anniversary of famous book

Tuesday, April 14-Thursday, April 16, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

University Center Atrium

On the 1800 block of Summit Avenue, a street near the university, a swarm of Africanized honeybees attacked three crew members.

Celebration of the 25th anniversary of “The House on Mango Street” was held Friday at Central Library, located downtown.

SGA elections will be held in the University Center Atrium. Students can vote for the SGA president and vice president.

One man was rushed to the hospital once he complained of nausea. The men are reported to have received 50 stings each. A fourth member was able to avoid getting stung.

Sandra Cisneros was present at the library offering autographs. Cultural dancers and artists from Artspace were also present to show off their latest works.

Source: Mysanantonio.com

Source: Mysanantonio.com

04.08.09

News

Mexican drug trafficking affects students N

The Texas cities of El Paso and Eagle Pass are starting to feel the violence of drug trafficking spill into their towns from across the boarder. Graphic illustration by Amanda Rodriguez

By Melody Mejia Senior Staff Writer

The violence at the United States-Mexico border may be more concentrated in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, across from El Paso, Texas, but St. Mary’s students from a smaller border region are feeling the violence, too, and are on their guard.

The violence is palpable for a junior here on campus, a young woman from the area of Eagle Pass, population 23,000. She requested that her name be withheld, but still wants people to know what’s happening around her.

The young woman described getting a recent call from her mother at home in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, just across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass, Texas. Her mother told her that there had been shootings only blocks from their home at 3 a.m. She said she didn’t know exactly what had happened, but neither did she want to investigate, for fear of making herself a target for gangs that increasingly seem to dominate the streets, especially at night.

Such shootings happen “on and off,” the student said–not frequently, but enough for her to worry about her family, her friends and her own safety when she goes home on weekends.

“There’s not that much violence, but it’s there,” she said. “It’s weird and it has grown.”

She and her friends find themselves going out earlier and coming home no later than 2 a.m. She said she’s more careful when she does go out, partly because some members of drug gangs act like police.

“If cars are speeding or seeking attention, they’ll stop and question them,” she said. She explained that gangs do this to get people off of the streets.

Escalated levels of violence by drug cartels fighting each other for pieces of the American market for illicit drugs worth $15 billion to $63 billion have captured international attention in the past month, but the violence has been ongoing for years.

In Piedras Negras, which is five times the size of Eagle Pass, she said the violence has “become a way of living, something that happened gradually” and that “so much of the community had time to get used to it.”

For someone raised in Piedras Negras, she said the drug violence is nothing new, but has become more dangerous in recent years–a fact that has made her more conscious of her surroundings.

“You can tell who’s who, in terms of what their intentions are and why they’re there.

Most people who are involved with drug trafficking usually stand out in a crowd, and don’t try to blend in,” she said. “They go to

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places they normally wouldn’t get into, so they stand out. You know who they are because they dress differently. They want you to know they rule, that they’re in charge.”

Junior business major Anahi Hernandez who is also from Eagle Pass says she has also become more aware.

“I don’t live in Mexico, but sometimes my friends and I like to go across to the clubs [in Piedras Negras]. But recently I don’t go, not even during the day,” she said. Which is partly due to a recent experience.

About three weekends ago at around 11 p.m., Hernandez headed to a club to join her friends. She remembers driving down a one-way street in Piedras Negras, following a friend to get onto a main street. Suddenly, she said a pearl-white Cadillac Escalade with rims and tinted windows driven by people who, to her, clearly seemed to be involved in drugs, flashed their lights and sped her way.

“Through the rearview mirror I could see lights flashing frantically,” she said. “I panicked and swerved to the right.”

As she moved to her right, her friend just ahead moved to the left, unintentionally blocking the way for the Escalade.

“They put their vehicle in neutral and started pushing the gas,” said Hernandez.

“I guessed it was their way of telling us to move.”

As soon as Hernandez moved, the vehicle sped through, missing her by inches.

“I honestly thought I was going to die,” said Hernandez. “I’m not sure how the vehicle made it through, but it did.”

Although the car chase and the shootings in Piedras Negras don’t match the scale of murder and other violence in Juarez, the concern for drug violence recently caused Texas Homeland Security Director Steve McCraw to declare that the violence has spilled over into the state, forcing the state and the federal government to make plans to deal with its scale.

On the other hand, there are those like junior biology major Eduardo Bres, who lives in Eagle Pass and has family in Piedras Negras, that are not personally affected by the border issues.

“I think if you are involved with the drugs then you have to be safe,” said Bres. “But other than that I think the border is safe.”

Although he considers the port of entry between Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass to be safe, he says other border towns are in harsher circumstances.

“I don’t think it’s fair that innocent people are killed, or taken,” he said. “But those who involve themselves with the drug trafficking are ultimately picking their fates.”

News

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Get your group recognized

04.08.09

Organization has difficulty, to be RSO

By Stephen Guzman Staff Writer

Students can create their own organization and earn recognition.

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First, look around campus and be sure you are not doing something that has already being done.

Next, gather your friends and get connected with people who have the same passion.

Get dedicated people to help you develop your group’s purpose.

Meet with someone in the Campus Activities office.

They will help you get the needed paperwork and fill you in on campus policies that you will need to adhere to.

Complete the Intent to Organize form, create a mission statement, and fill out the application for recognition. Both forms, and a sample mission statement, can be found online at www.stmarytx. edu/studorgs Student Organization Specialists (SOS) are there to help you. They will walk you through any issues that you may encounter.

Gain recognition and join the ranks of—according to the Web site, the university’s 50 plus already established Recognized Student Organizations.

Source: www.stmarytx.edu/studorgs

Compiled by Ari Rivera

A year and a half after applying for official recognition, a gay/ straight organization remains unrecognized by administrators on campus—and now its members are asking why.

The organization, Unity & Support, filed paperwork to become a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) in the fall of 2007. Such recognition grants privileges to fundraise and to seek funds from the Student Government Association (SGA). According to the experience of students in other groups on campus, it seems to take an organization on average one semester to be granted university recognition.

Unity & Support President Jessica Ramirez said that Vice President of Student Development Kathy Sisoian told her in several meetings after their initial paperwork was filed, that a decision concerning recognition would be made

by May, and that the St. Mary’s University board would vote on the matter.

Unity & Support was initiated in spring 2007 after senior English communication arts major Ramirez said she experienced discrimination on campus. According to Ramirez, when she lived on campus, students spread rumors about her that isolated her from her friends. After that experience, Ramirez founded Unity & Support “to promote acceptance and tolerance of all types of people, no matter what their sexual orientation” and then sought to become an RSO. “When you first enter a university, you come expecting people to be accepting and open-minded; and a lot of times you’re let down,” said Ramirez. “I got the push to start the organization from my personal experience [with discrimination] and knowing that other people go through these experiences as well.”

With Unity & Support, Ramirez hoped to reach out to those students who are fearful of being discriminated against and thus avoid participating in campus events.

The group has grown to 18 members, including SGA president James Escamia.

Ramirez said when the group turned in the necessary paperwork

Members of Unity & Support encourage students to join and help bring an end to discrimination. Pctured are senior psychology major Erica Piña, international relations majors sophomore Marcela Camarena Ortega and senior Vanessa Colon, freshman exercise and sports science major Sarah Garcia, freshman computer science major Pete Rivera and senior English-communication arts major Jessica Rameriez. Photo by Stephen Guzman to become an RSO in the fall of 2007, they were turned down by Sisoian, who asked them to update their paperwork to specify their purpose and to remain a “trial RSO.” Under these conditions, the organization was to remain in trial period until its purpose was properly established. Hoping to satisfactorily clarify the organization’s goals, Ramirez and the group’s officers underwent a series of meetings with faculty members and administrators, including vice president of mission and identity, Rev. Bernard Lee. Rev. Lee, too, seemed to express general support for recognition.

“For a lot of people, this is a real touchy issue,” he said. “But that shouldn’t stand in the way when you know something is the right thing to do.”

In fall 2008, administrators restricted Unity & Support meetings to “informational discussions” on sexual orientation, according to Ramirez.

“We were willing to have limitations, but to an extent,” said Ramirez. “I wanted [Unity & Support] to be like any other organization.”

After negotiations last fall, she said administrators permitted Unity & Support to hold regular meetings this semester, while remaining a trial RSO. Understanding that a vote on regular status would come soon, Ramirez focused on moving the organization forward.

“This semester we brought in the San Antonio AIDs Foundation for orientation, held joint meetings

with the Anime Beat and met with students from Western Michigan University,” she said. “In addition, we attended several off-campus events at local universities and are currently in the process of planning upcoming events here on campus.”

In contrast to Ramirez, Sisoian says the group’s problem has been a question of disorganization.

“There was some vagueness about topics and what exactly they [Unity & Support] wanted to do,” said Sisoian.

“What they weren’t as clear about and what we don’t know... was the kind of activities that they wanted to have. They talked about doing service and being in support of other people in a community service kind of way,” she said. “They also wanted to provide a place to maybe have some guest speakers …but there was some vagueness about topics and what exactly they wanted to do.”

Sisoian said that once Unity & Support gets organized and its student leaders submit all appropriate forms, there will be an internal review process to determine if the organization gets properly recognized.

“I’m optimistic that they’re going to get organized enough to become recognized,” said Sisoian.

The group seems to enjoy some administrative support. Wayne Romo, director of University Ministry, said that fully recognizing Unity & Support would satisfy a great “yearning for understanding, a hunger for not just acceptance, but a hunger to be embraced, right

or wrong, as a child of God.” Similar support also seems to come from Sisoian.

“As Catholics we are all called to support and accept homosexuals,” she said. “It’s a basic teaching that we are to respect all individuals.”

The gay/straight organization, LEGALIS/OUTLaw, has been recognized by the St. Mary’s Law School since 1995. According to law graduate student and President Andrew Olivo, the group has been nominated for a diversity award from the American Bar Association.

In addition, according to Ramirez, Our Lady of the Lake University, University of Incarnate Word and Trinity University have each recognized their own gay/straight organizations. Ramirez asks, “Why not us?”

“You don’t have to support a certain lifestyle,” Ramirez said. “You just have to be tolerant and know that we are all human beings.”

Ramirez believes she’s done everything she could to get the group’s recognition and she’s concerned that in her absence no one will continue to achieve recognition for the group.

Unity & Support holds its meetings Thursdays in Conference Room C of Treadaway Hall and encourages all students to attend.

Ramirez said the organization intends to maintain a relationship with the San Antonio AIDS Foundation and plans to hold a “Break the Silence Expo” on April 14 in honor of those who have experienced discrimination.

News

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Students present their research at symposium

By Keily Rivero Senior Staff Writer

Over 200 undergraduate students showcased their academic efforts in their area of interest at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium with over 148 presentations representing different disciplines and departments.

The Research Symposium was held on April 3 and students presenting had to create a poster portraying their project, the concept, their method and their results.

They were also required to explain to those in attendance what they hoped to accomplish through their research.

The participants were also able to enter two competitions, one of which was the Louis J. Blume Library Undergraduate Research Award that senior English major Patricia Sipes took first place in, with junior marketing major Kristina Lindsey taking second.

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Bill Greehey School of Business and the School of Science and Engineering were also able to award first-, second- and third-place winner for each school.

Freshman marketing major Lorna Cruz was awarded firstplace for the Bill Greehey School of Business.

“I didn’t expect it at all,” said Cruz. “I feel great and it makes me feel very proud.”

Associate professor of biology Timothy Raabe, Ph.D., was entrusted with organizing the symposium and making the event a more campus-wide occasion.

“This is an opportunity for students to learn what research is and it’s something they can take onto graduate school, even if it’s just learning how to present in front of people,” said Raabe.

This symposium is a tool provided for all undergraduate

Junior biology major Briana Roberts explains the results of her research to inquiring students. Photo by Robin Johnson students to have their work showcased and prepared for graduate school.

“It helped me present my work and organize my work so that I can better understand my subject,” said history senior Kelly Gallo.

Raabe encourages all students

to involve themselves in research and present their results next year.

“When [students] think of research, they usually think of a scientist locked away in a lab, but that’s not always the case,” said Raabe. “We have business students talking about market analyses.

They say: ‘Oh I’m not doing research,’ but they are.”

The symposium is one opportunity for students to sharpen their research, presentation and organizational skills that can make them into stronger candidates for graduate school or the workplace.

Candidates answer questions

By Ari Rivera News Editor

City Council candidates for District 7, the district which St. Mary’s is in, gathered for a forum with the citizens of the surrounding communities as a part of Civic Engagement Week.

The candidates–incumbent Justin Rodriguez, former council member Elena Guajardo and new runner Robert Garibay, an 18-year-old student enrolled in Northwest VISTA–were given the opportunity to answer questions by attendees.

Political science senior and pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) President San Juanita Moncada opened the session with brief introductions.

Before the official beginning, attendees were given slips of paper to write questions that the candidates could see before they were presented.

Such questions regarded how the candidates would financially support themselves, their take on the district’s infrastructure, their opinions on the Woodlawn Bridge (a bridge that would cross a small portion of Woodlawn Lake) and one peculiar question about what to do with the controversial San Antonio Zoo’s aging elephant. The question concerning the elephant left the candidates confused and the audience amused.

The final portion was open for the audience to ask any other questions they had in mind. Many were directed to all candidates and inquired about contacting the winner once s/he is in office, the closing of schools in the area, money distribution and staff selection.

Rodriguez informed attendees of his priorities and his hopes for the area, listing infrastructure as his number one priority.

Guajardo explained that she was running again because she was asked to. People approached her and said things were different in office and that they wished to see her return.

Garibay, well aware of his inexperience compared to the other candidates, said he planned to focus on responsibility.

“What do I have to offer?” he asked. “Accountability and leadership, those are my two qualities.”

He later explained that he wants his involvement to encourage other San Antonio youth to get involved in politics.

At the end of the night, candidates hoped the forum encouraged those eligible to get registered and vote.

“I hope students will engage in the democratic process,” said Rodriguez.

Guajardo shared his sentiment.

“I want [students] to know they are part of the election process,” she said. “What happens in City Hall affects you.”

She said she’s proud an 18-year-old is running for office. She explained that it shows that he’s out there and that others can be too. However, if one of the elder candidates takes the office, Garibay said he will not be deterred.

“I will run again in 2011,” said Garibay. “I do plan to run for higher office in the future.”

Candidates Robert Garibay, Elena Guajardo and Justin Rodriguez take questions from the audience in the District 7 City Council Candidate Forum on March 30. Photo by Miriam Cruz

News

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04.08.09

Importance of Arctic revealed in part of a series

By Angela Santana Senior Staff Writer

“The Arctic Age” was one of the topics for this year’s Great Decisions Symposium’s sessions, an event sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association to increase understanding on current issues. On April 2, seniors Kathleen McAfee, political science major, and Angela Rivera, international relations major, co-hosted the “The Arctic Age” discussion.

Blake Weissling, Ph.D., a senior geophysicist and environmental specialist for SWCA Environmental Consultants discussed the significance of sea ice from a global climate perspective at the event.

Weissling was part of the Sea Ice Mass Balance in the Antarctic (SIMBA) expedition in September and October of 2007, a research effort in Antarctica.

Sea ice is seawater that has frozen, Weissling explained. At its maximum in September, sea ice extends 20 million square kilometers. In February, it extends about 3 million square kilometers. Thus, he noted, there exists more sea ice on earth than rainforests.

According to Weissling, the sea ice acts as a thermal blanket between seawater and the atmosphere, with its absorption of heat from seawater affecting weather patterns. Less sea ice means a warmer atmosphere. Also, when

ice forms, it expels salt back into the sea, making seawater denser.

This water, Weissling said, is crucial because it is partially responsible for the ocean circulation system that affects weather patterns.

Several students in the audience asked if earth’s increasingly unpredictable weather had to do with less sea ice and if weather changes could be deadly. Weissling affirmed both questions, noting the latter could happen if areas with dense populations experienced lengthy drought.

Weissling then expanded on sea ice’s roles in the ecosystem, including its effect on the sea’s absorption of carbon dioxide that supports algae growth which, in turn, sustains the marine food chain, and its role in cloud production.

Weissling shared his SIMBA Expedition experience through photos and video. Joking with the crowd, he said he discovered the greatest obstacle to his research was what he calls the ‘Penguin Conspiracy.’”

After Weissling spoke, Rivera presented “Politics of the Arctic Region.” She began by thanking Weissling for his photographs and videos, which she said connected the audience emotionally with the polar area.

Rivera discussed the political implications of the opening of ocean passages in the Arctic as ice

Blake Weissling, Ph.D., explained the importance of Arctic ice and its connections to weather patterns on the globe. Photo by Miriam Cruz continues to break apart. Many experts estimate that by 2050, peripheral seas will be void of ice.

The transformation of Arctic waterways are “going to change our international community,” said Rivera.

The Arctic contains one-sixth of earth’s total landmass, is inhabited by 4 million people and has been estimated to hold a quarter of the

world’s petroleum reserves. Further, the Northwest Passage has been claimed by Canada, but is recognized throughout the world as international waters, causing territorial disputes to begin.

Rivera highlighted Russia’s claim to vast majorities of the Arctic in 2007. The country has 10 years to prove that the area is an extension of their continental shelf.

Weissling said that it would take decades of research to determine such a claim.

Rivera concluded that while countries are investing in technology and vessels to extract petroleum resources in the region, international law has yet to catch up with the wide variety of situations that will arise as a result of polar ice change.

Residents to receive laundry status via text messages

By Denice Hernandez Staff Writer

The laundry text-message prospect is a new feature that is now a part of a contract being considered by residence hall authorities who are thinking about renewing a service agreement with Mac-Gray Intelligent Laundry Systems.

Mac-Gray, a company located in Massachusetts that provides laundry facilities to colleges and universities, has begun a new LaundryView feature. They have a partnership program with WEB Campus Solutions; the WEB sector of Mac-Gray has been serving the university since 2001.

This LaundryView system is a web-based system that lets students check the availability of washers and dryers from their computers and can receive notification via e-mail or

text message when their laundry cycles are complete.

The process of using LaundryView requires students to log onto the company’s Web site and type in either their e-mail address or cell phone number along with their own password. Directions will guide them on how to receive notifications through their preferred means of communication. Once a university is registered with this new feature, students can check the status of available washer and dryers by checking online instead of making repetitive trips to the laundry room.

James Villarreal, Interim Dean of Students and Director of Student Life, thinks students will be satisfied with the new concept.

“Texting is the preferred way of communication for most students,” said Villarreal. “This should benefit them in a

positive way.”

There is also a “weekly usage report” posted online which displays what times the laundry room was the busiest so that students can avoid conflict over availability.

According to Villarreal, an administrator must review contracts and after the vendor has made the necessary changes the vice president of the department of student development and the Vice President of Finance and Administration will sign and approve the contract.

Mac-Gray introduced this new feature after the university’s contract with the company ended. The new LaundryView washers and dryers were part of their proposal in trying to negotiate a new contract with the school.

The final decision over the contract is planned to be reached by this month. If the

contract is approved, all residence halls will be receiving new machines with the LaundryView feature installed in August before the new school year.

“If this goes through it would be a good thing,” said junior corporate finance major Ashley Jimenez. “Now people won’t be leaving their stuff in the laundry rooms and it should reduce the number of students hoarding the washers and dryers.”

When Villarreal brought up the possibility of this new addition to the student staff in the residence halls, he was pleased with their reaction.

“Based on the excitement from current student staff [Room Assistants (RAs) and Students Together Are Reaching Success (STARS)],” said Villarreal. “I think this will be a great benefit to a component of living in our residence halls.”

Commentary

04.08.09

The Rattler 7

Letters to the Editor Music department remains solvent, Concert Band will not be dismantled While I respect the quality of our university newspaper, I believe the article, “Funding necessary for concert band continuation,” in the Entertainment section of the March 25 publication, to misrepresent the StMU music department.

Its headline implies the Concert Band is in some sort of dire financial straits. I assure all the music department is solvent and in no way will the Concert Band be dismantled. Those who were interviewed are committed to the department’s qualitative and quantitative growth.

The aura of the article read like a “gripe session,” which is incongruent to the character of the music department.

While touring for a StMU music ensemble is not requisite, I am a strong proponent for it, as it has many positives, particularly in aesthetic development, recruiting and public relations for StMU. The failures of the two Concert Band tours and Coro Santa Maria NYC tour transcend money. In the case of the Concert Band, those tours seemed transparent in objectives and were rather impromptu to me. The Coro Santa Maria tour was a classic “bridge too far” due to clouded fi-

nances, late deadlines and incorrect fund raising projections.

The music ensembles can and should tour for StMU but the community needs to understand the following: “No man is an island” and “it does take a village to make a tour.” The music department alone cannot financially support touring. It needs the assistance of the administration, Alumni Association, University Development, Admissions and Student Life in areas of fund raising, in-kind services and networking. They need to understand the benefits of music ensemble touring for this university.

Communication is key. In my relationships with the aforementioned organizations, they are willing to assist and support the music department. It is the responsibility of the music ensembles and department to communicate their intentions and needs in detail for these organizations to reciprocate in kind.

The need for well defined goals and objectives. The music department and StMU community need to target those specified areas of the country to tour as set by both Visions 2006 and 2012. This would be highly favorable, especially to Admissions; the tours could be successful recruiting tools for this institution.

Time wise, let’s get real. Tour plan-

ning, recruitment and fundraising need a period of two academic years to guarantee success. This is due to the lack of general disposable time of the music department for special projects. It also needs extra support time by other StMU administrative organizations.

As a closet military historian, the article and music ensemble touring situation reminds me of the Allied commando raid on Dieppe in August 1942. In an attempt to jumpstart a second front, Canadian commandos amphibiously landed in France with the objective of seizing this French seaport. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and the battle was a total failure. However, valuable information in tactics and procedures was learned from this catastrophe and was incorporated into the successful Overlord invasion in 1944. It is my hope we can learn from what mistakes have been made this year and create a highly successful music tour campaign for the StMU music department in the near future.

Daniel Long, Ph.D. Assistant professor of Music and recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award for 2009.

what they said

“

I am almost tempted to say it was a turning point -except that would irresponsible.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

about the G-20 summit in London, which addressed not only the current financial crisis but also the global economic order and the demands from the developing world, April 3.

A question from the realm of the unanswerable: How will this country be a better place once we force Benita Veliz out of it?

Lawrence Downes

writing for the New York Times about the story of St. Mary’s graduate Benita Veliz, who faces deportation, March 28.

”

Illustration by Jaymee Baxley

Closing Guantanamo is a moral obligation In the previous issue of The Rattler, an article by Chris Childree argued that the closing of Guantanamo was irresponsible. With all due respect, Amnesty International regard these statements as false.

The article stated, “People don’t completely understand the measures that are taken to protect their lives,” and it is true, we do not. We do not understand why hundreds of detainees have been tortured in the name of our security but only two people have had their cases adjudicated. The hundreds who remain have been subjected to a range of interrogation tactics that constitute ill-treatment, including sleep deprivation, stress positions, sensory deprivation, hooding during interrogation, stripping, forcible shaving and “using detainees’ individual phobias to induce stress.” The Bush Administration acknowledged that the use of interrogation techniques, which amounts to torture, was approved by top administration officials, such as former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld.

Mr. Childree only offers as evidence the 2009 Pentagon report which claims that the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center complies with the Geneva Convention. This report alleges the humane treatment of Guantanamo prisoners since its opening in 2001.

While Mr. Childree calls into question the validity of information reported by human rights organizations, his information is just as partial. Why are we to believe that the government reported objectively when they are the ones who control Guantanamo?

If someone is imprisoned, that person is entitled to legal representation and a fair trial. If found guilty, detainees must be properly charged. And if they are not, it is our moral obligation to release them. How can we expect other countries to treat us justly if we deny justice to their own citizens?

CIA Director General Michael Hayden has acknowledged that the CIA has used “waterboarding,” an act of torture under both U.S. and international law.

Torture has definitely been ineffective in finding “information.” We, on the other hand, are jeopardizing our security. Matthew Alexander, former US military interrogator in Iraq, has written that Sunni Iraqis state that the main reason they joined Al Qaeda was the torture at Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo.

The article concludes: if the act of torture and the ill-treatment to other human beings is true, “wouldn’t it be better for the media to err on the side of the safety of the American people?” We believe that this is a preposterous alternative and would be irresponsible for the media to commit such action.

There is no correlation between torture and safety.

We are not going to be secure through the means of other’s suffering. We are only breaking our own principles. By no measure are we upholding justice.

Amnesty International

Commentary

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S t.

M ar y ’ s

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04.08.09 C ampus

L ife

The Rattler International Student Association raises cultural awareness

Editor-in-Chief Sarah Mills

Managing Editor Christine Le Layout/Design Manager Amanda Rodriguez News Editor Ari Rivera Commentary Editor Alfonso de la Torre Features Editor Jaime Perez Entertainment Editor Stephanie Sanders Sports Editor Chris Filoteo Photo Editor Robin Johnson Assistant Photo Editor Analicia Perez Advertising Manager Kimberly Vela Assistant Ad Manager Katie O’Donnell Writing Coach Kimberly Vela Faculty Adviser Brother Dennis Bautista, S.M., Ph.D. Standards The Rattler upholds the Mission Statements of St. Mary’s University. The publication follows the Canons of Responsible Journalism, the Associated Press Stylebook and the Student Publication Policy.

The Rattler is a member of the Associate Collegiate Press, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

Contact Us The Rattler St. Mary’s University One Camino Santa Maria Box 83 San Antonio, TX 78228 210-436-3401 / 210-431-4307 (fax) rattlernews@stmarytx.edu

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Almost a year ago, I started to think about the importance of having an organization that should be focused Alvaro on representing Zapatel the international community on campus. Since 2003, St. Mary’s did not have an organization committed to gathering students around campus and creating activities for their enjoyment and fun.

Finally, in 2008, we revived the san

ant o ni o

International Students’ Association (INSTA), which has successfully gathered both international and American students on campus.

It was a deep interest in multiculturalism, our passion for creating awareness on international students’ contribution to our community and our commitment to forging a vibrant campus environment that guided our efforts for INSTA throughout this year.

After having two International Nights–our main event as an organization–we organized the third International Night of the academ-

& t h e

c o mmunit y

ic year of 2008-2009, which turned out to be a complete success.

For previous International Nights we have featured the countries of Cyprus and Bangladesh.

But since we were going to have only one this semester, we decided to focus on three countries simultaneously. Therefore, the countries of the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Peru came out for this great event.

I would like to extend congratulations, on behalf of INSTA, to all the Saudi students for bringing their incredible enthusiasm and amazing spirit to the event. fait h

& t h e

Peru was also well-represented.

It was a joy having Peruvian students come to the event to share their unique hats and delicious cultural dishes. The Filipino food was also very special and widely appreciated by those in attendance.

Overall, the International Night became a great achievement for the entire St. Mary’s community.

INSTA’s duty is to encourage our students around campus-Catholic and from other faiths--to coexist in peace. These are the first steps to a community more engaged in international issues.

M arianists

Drug wars are not just Mexico’s Continue dreams with service, charisma and justice in mind problem, but ours as well There are terrorists in Texas.

Have you heard of them? They are drug gangs who go by names like Los Zetas and Angela Santana MS-13.

You’ve heard of the drug war in Mexico.

You’ve heard warnings about violence. Have you connected the dots yet? They’re forming circles around you.

Drug cartels buy weapons from dealers in the state and utilize Interstate 35 to transport their drugs.

When U.S. officials established an operation to crack down on the Sinaloa drug cartel–one of the most aggressive and violent–San Antonio was among the cities where arrests were made.

According to Texas Monthly, Attorney General Dan Morales estimated that $30 billion in drug money enter Texas banks every year. Law enforcement officers on the border feel they are one step behind the cartels, whose weaponry is becoming more sophisticated and deadly. On April 1, 16 bodies (including two chopped into pieces) brought the number

murdered in Mexico alone to over 6,400 since January 2008, according to Agence France-Presse.

And those are just the facts.

If you want to talk rumors, talk about the one saying the MS-13 resides in the Woodlawn area.

In 2005, Eyewitness News determined that members of MS-13, which has been called the deadliest gang in America, were known to have been in San Antonio. That same year, the U.S. Justice Department determined that Los Zetas had operations in our city, as well.

If you ask a typical Texan to name the greatest threat to national security, would Mexican drug cartels even enter their mind? Though it is disputed whether the cartels take first position on the threat list, the very fact that officials are fighting about who takes the top spot should mean something to you.

The media have yet to catch up with all that relates to the drug war. This should not stop you from educating yourself about how significant an effect this drug war is having on our neighborhood and across the nation.

Inform yourself. Don’t rely on the TV or the Times to tell you it’s time to be concerned.

“We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something and do Francesca Garcia it very, very well.

It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way....

We are prophets of a future that is not our own,” Archbishop Oscar Romero once wrote.

When it comes to our lives, I believe we should consider the words of Archbishop Romero. We look at the world in which we live and see the injustice and cruelty that surrounds us and at times we feel that there is nothing that we can do to stop it.

However, as with the words of the Archbishop, this is what should spring us into action. When we feel hopeless, we need to kick our hearts into action and find a way to help.

In our everyday actions, like a kind smile to a stranger, we are spreading a new hope for the future.

As you choose your future career and follow your dreams, do

everything to the best of your abilities. At the same time, by remembering to keep a kind spirit, know that we are taking steps to create a better world.

When we find opportunities to help one another, we are kicking our hearts into action. If you were to look around our St. Mary’s community, there are many opportunities to educate ourselves on the injustices in the world and in what ways we can help.

Whether it is donating money to the local Sam’s Shelter or contributing a single a piece of clothing to the Seton Home, in any way of service we are taking steps to become the prophets of our future.

The spirit of service is an important element of the Marianist charisma, which stems from the lives and examples of both Fr. William Joseph Chaminade and Adele de Batz fe Trenquellon. Both of them dedicated their lives to serve the poor and the forgotten, finding in each person the face of Christ.

So I encourage you once again, fellow students, to find a way or continue to kick your heart into action in promotion of service for others.

Commentary Nation-building in Afghanistan needs a new direction 04.08.09

Are we winning or losing in Afghanistan? The first thing I think of while considering the answer is the face of an old Kenneth Howell friend currently deployed in the war-torn hills of Afghanistan. I wonder what he’d say if I asked him the same question. I can only imagine a joking smile from him and a weak shaking of his head. He is only one of an increasing number of soldiers working with our international partners inside of a country that the United Nations warned in 2006 could become a failed state.

A failed state? What happened here? Our goal seemed so clear in the month following the 9/11 attacks: punishment, retribution and justice. It’s a simple thought process: the Taliban sheltered alQaeda, al-Qaeda is responsible for attacking out country and so you unseat the Talibani government and capture those responsible. We invaded, set up a new democratic regime, and… what? We let Osama Bin Laden slip out of the coun-

The Rattler 9

try. The drug trade is flourishing.

Islamic insurgents remain a real threat to the stability of the central government with strongholds on the border of Pakistan.

President Barack Obama’s response to those problems is a build-up of troops. The fact that our troop levels in Afghanistan have remained so low as the country spiraled further into chaos is difficult to swallow. Former President George W. Bush’s administration used our troops in these two wars, yet–possibly due to the political backlash of such a move, never increased the number of troops to an adequate post-invasion level.

Correcting this problem took years but, finally, we are putting enough boots on the ground to keep whatever gains are made.

The path we must take in Afghanistan is a difficult one. We must look and weigh the situation in neighboring Pakistan. We must decide if we want to try to deal with the Taliban as a negotiating partner or strictly as a military enemy. We must decide if we have the conviction as a nation to develop goals for Afghanistan beyond “getting even.” Rebuilding

The war in Afghanistan will need to be fought in the hills of Pakistan as well. Since the invasion more than seen years ago, NATO has been unable to gain full control of the country. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. this nation requires admitting that we have not done as good of a job as we could have. We must look at the government institutions of Afghanistan and gauge their effectiveness while carefully sewing back together the fractured areas on the outskirts of the country currently controlled or influenced by

the Taliban.

We are not winning, but we have not lost. We can wash away the dirt that has tarnished the country and we must do that now more than ever. The irresponsible and lazy approach to these wars is inexcusable; our lack of ambition, motivation and responsibility has,

for the second war in this decade, spawned a bevy of problems that we must now mop up. I believe our past mistakes are redeemable if we only look forward and do what must be done to take care of Afghanistan’s people while simultaneously capturing the man who killed so many of our citizens.

Euthanasia becomes controversial social issue across Europe The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) recently published an article that pointed out different laws that are in effect throughout Europe in regard to the controversial issue of Lorna Cruz euthanasia and whether or not people should have the right to have assisted suicide in any form.

Some countries, like France and Spain, have very explicit laws against euthanasia, in both of its forms: passive, meaning that the patient is not treated for their conditions, or active, which includes receiving a lethal dose of drugs by consent of the patient. Other European countries, though, have more lenient and flexible laws in regard to eutha-

nasia; Belgium and the Netherlands, for example, were the first countries in this region to legalize this process, while countries such as Italy have laws against active euthanasia but allow patients the right to refuse care.

If most of the world can agree on having laws in favor of people’s lives and wellbeing, then why does the right to consented death create such controversy? There are many sides to the argument and people are divided by everything from religious points of view to ethical principles and circumstantial differences from case to case.

For those supporting euthanasia, it is more of a case of the right that people should have in terms of deciding when and under what circumstances to die. For Chantal Sebire, for example, it was a matter of huge importance because she went through hor-

rible pain from day to day and suffered from a highly disfigured face. Because euthanasia is illegal in France, she took the determination of consuming a “deadly dose” of barbiturates in order to end her suffering.

For those against euthanasia, some concerns are for the mental well-being of these patients, who express the desire to end their own lives but might not have the psychological sanity to make these decisions under rational terms. The pain and/or suffering may be so great that their thought processes are skewed or their conditions may be changing their decision-making patterns. There is also the case of significant and continuous medical advances in technology and investigations. these breakthroughs could help treat and even cure patients who are only being treated with pain-relievers and do not

really have hope for curative therapy.

The compromise that many countries are coming to is to allow patients to request assisted death but to have at least two qualified professionals review their case and mental capacities.

In addition to this, a certain period of time between the request and the actual process of deciding is required in order to give the patient time to think thoroughly and make a correct determination. This is a very delicate subject and should be taken very seriously, because just as much as we have a right to live, the right to die should be carefully analyzed in order to respect each person’s autonomy and dignity while providing enough boundaries to make it a safe decision to take.

Commentary

10 The Rattler

04.08.09

President’s Peace Commission ignores life issues

I was perusing the titles of the presentations for this semester’s President’s Peace Commission (PPC) and was disturbed by what I did not see. The title of this semester’s PPC was “The Challenge of Change: New Administration, New Era?” The topics of the presentations inSean cluded economics, health care, educaStilson tion, terrorism and alternative energy, which are all important issues. But the major concern that every Catholic should have about this new administration, namely its support for abortion, was completely ignored.

The only presentation which might have addressed the issue, titled “Reflecting on the 2008 Election,” contained only Obama supporters as speakers. While this was not done intentionally, it was imbalanced nonetheless. It seems to me that if a reflection on such a divisive topic as the presidential election is to be held, it only makes sense to have people reflect from both sides of the divide.

I am especially disappointed by this semester’s PPC because I feel that it did a poor job of representing St. Mary’s Catholic identity, which the university claims to be proud of. As a Catholic university, it is good that we are concerned about health care, education, alternative energy and other morally relevant issues. But to ignore the new administration’s disgraceful lack of respect for the dignity of human life is extremely irresponsible on the PPC’s part.

So far, Obama has overturned the Mexico City Policy, a law which prevented tax money from being used to fund abortions in other countries. He has also overturned the restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, which means scientists will be creating human embryos then destroying them to harvest their cells for research.

River City Update Health care costs

BY CHRIS CHILDREE When discussion is raised about healthcare, many are under the impression that the only solution to high costs will come from a universal system, despite the fact that our nation is already trillions of dollars in debt. I, on the other hand, believe that the key to lowering costs will not arise from a government takeover, but instead from prevention enabled by reasonable municipal policy.

While healthcare is a national issue, San Antonio consistently ranks at or near the bottom when the health of its citizens is compared to other major cities in the United

President Obama’s decision to remove many restrictions on federal funding for insitutions that perform abortions was not given a panel in the last President’s Peace Commission. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Perhaps most frightening is the fact that Obama promised Planned Parenthood that he would pass the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). This act would establish abortion as a national “right” and would thus overturn all state regulations designed to limit abortion. No longer would parents be informed if their minor daughter sought abortion. No longer would tax payers (that would be us) be exempt from funding abortion. FOCA says that abortion is a right and that every doctor, hospital and health insurance provider would have to provide services for abortion, even if they were morally opposed to it. Can you imagine every Catholic hospital States. A statistical study using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the American Medical Association and other sources found that San Antonio is the second least healthy city among the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. The city was also cited as the third fattest in the nation by the annual report published in a 2009 edition of Men’s Fitness magazine.

There is a direct relation between an overabundance of unhealthy people and the costs of healthcare. The most economically sound method to bring down the costs would involve the implementation of a policy that would have the effect of lowering demand for healthcare.

If San Antonio wants to increase its ranks in the health arena while allowing healthcare to be more affordable, it needs to consider different creative proposals without denigrating our system of capitalism and preventing the outbreak of a fat war, similar to that of the current drug war.

San Francisco began steps to ban trans-fats in restaurants early in 2008 following similar movements in New York City and Philadelphia. This is a good start and the

and Catholic health care worker having to choose between obeying federal law and God’s law? Obama is pushing our nation in that direction.

This new administration should disturb anyone who values unborn life and the freedom of conscience, especially those at a Catholic university. This semester’s President’s Peace Commission did not live up to St. Mary’s Catholic identity; it chose to avoid controversy rather than address the pre-eminent threats to life and liberty posed by the new administration.

city of San Antonio should take note, but it will only marginally increase citizens’ health. Plus, the idea of banning substances brings forth the argument that a profitable black market could develop.

Another proposal could involve the implementation of a “fat tax” in the city, artificially raising the prices for certain unhealthy ingredients and thus lowering consumption. If the prices for unhealthy ingredients were raised enough, it would not be profitable for fast food restaurants to sell unhealthy foods. They would be forced to sell healthier food, increasing accessibility to these foods for the lower class and increasing their health, while decreasing demand for healthcare and thus decreasing the costs for healthcare.

Some people may still want to enjoy unhealthy foods and that would still be possible, although they would be more expensive. This would prevent the unintended effects that would come from a ban.

The tax would allow us to uphold capitalist principles while making our city healthier and possibly less costly for citizens to visit a doctor.

04.08.09

Commentary

The Rattler 11

letters from the

Flip-side

of reason

Stress

BY CRISTINA GONZALEZ

St. Mary’s students have been campaigning for the DREAM Act, which would help Benita Veliz, a St. Mary’s graduate, is facing Benita and others to acheive legal citizenship. Photo by Analicia Perez. deportation. Courtesy of Benita Veliz.

Benita Veliz is a citizen of this country “Home is the place we choose, not the place where we are born,” said the feminist activist Flora Tristan. These words come to mind stronger than ever Alfonso de la Torre when we take a look at the case of Benita Veliz, a St. Mary’s graduate facing deportation.

Is Benita part of a drug gang, has she harmed anyone or has she broken any major law? The answer is no. The reason why Benita Veliz faces deportation is that she was brought to the United States at the age of eight without any documentation. She has inherited, not chosen, the status of undocumented citizenship, just like thousands of Americans who are also in her situation across the country.

The only thing ‘Benny’ chose to do was to call this country her home. She has made the choice to see in the first words of the constitution, “We the people,” a statement that represents her. Therefore, she is not an illegal immigrant: she is an undocumented citizen. Let it be clear to all of us, from the members of Congress to the waiters and waitresses that work in the restaurants on the West side of San Antonio, that Benita Veliz is a citizen of the United States of America.

Benita’s case gives a face to the thousands of Americans that would be benefited by the Development, Reinvestment and Education for Alien Minors

(DREAM) Act. The DREAM Act represents the dream of many: the opportunity for legally-recognized citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants that are enrolled in college or serve in the military.

The DREAM Act requires actions from all of us in order for it to get passed. Yes, it needs you, my dear reader, to write to your senators and congressmen. It also needs your action here on campus. It needs you telling your friends and class-

“Benita has made the choice to see in the first words of the constitution ‘We the people’ a statement that represents her. Therefore, she is not an illegal immigrant: she is an undocumented citizen.” mates about this issue. The DREAM Act, like any element of justice, requires your action, not just your moral support. Join the students concerned about this and the Educating for Justice Initiative in University Ministry and work not just for Benita, but for all your brothers and sisters facing the same problem.

I could have added many things to the lines above. I could have said that Benita was the valedictorian of her class at Jefferson High School, that she came to St. Mary’s on a full scholarship and that she graduated from the honors program with a double-major in biology and sociology.

I could have also said that she has served her community in hundreds of different ways and that she is, by any measure, a model citizen. All of these facts would strengthen an argument that does not need further reinforcement. Benita Veliz is and will always be a citizen of this country—a country of immigrants.

She is, despite the accidents of geography and the genealogical trees, a true heir of the words that Jefferson, Franklin and Adams wisely wrote on the Declaration of Independence: “We hold this truth to be self-evident: that all men (and women) are created equal.” A great American reminded us almost 50 years ago that this promise is still waiting to be fulfilled for thousands of people in this country; that many, just like Benita, are still unable to claim life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as their natural birth rights.

And thus we must fight for those rights, but fight justly. “Darkness,” Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” Benita Veliz is doing precisely that by using her love for her country to drive out the fear and hatred that some have for immigrants. She has a DREAM, the same dream that a preacher standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial once had. United States of America, carry out the true meaning of your creed: don’t deport Benita Veliz.

Few people enjoy stress and I am not one of them. Chances are, you are not one of those people, either, and why should you be? Stress is terrible; it can affect your body, your social circle, your performance in school or at work and make it seem like the world is coming down around you. At the psychological carnival, stress is a house full of funhouse mirrors exaggerating and compounding even the smallest problems into giant, unrecognizable monsters.

I’ll give you a prime example of this from my own life. The last couple of weeks for me have felt like nothing short of a trip through the nine rings of “The Inferno.” Working under pressure is one thing, but this was simply too much, too quickly. Family crises, school projects, lack of sleep; the stress was high, the pressure intense.

For every step I took toward progress, I felt as though I was pushed two steps back. There were lots of crying and misplaced anger. And then, just when I felt I was going to break, something great happened: I finished a project.

Admittedly, I am aware that it sounds as though I am oversimplifying the situation, but the truth is as plain as that. With one large stressor gone, the other things that bothered me are beginning to fall into place. Life once again feels easier to manage. And while I am not interested in repeating the same circumstances again—at least, not any time soon—I feel as though I now know what to do or how to handle similar situations when they arise.

Things get scary and they seem inescapable, but these are the times that make us. Stress is terrible, but it can also be transformative and teaching: It can breed patience and an appreciation for the stress-free times in life or for the people who stand by us when we are least ourselves.

Think of the evolution of humanity at large.

Progress is the result of enduring difficulties, of struggling and fighting against resistance.

Where would we be if some of the biggest figures in history had stuck to the smooth path? If there is much to gain, the struggle is more than a worthy price.

So, as difficult as it may be, try to remember that within you is the strength to weather through whatever comes your way. Even when it seems impossible, even the scariest of funhouses have their exits.

Features

12 The Rattler

04.08.09

The American Concepts and Global Visions exhibit features contemporary art from Andy Warhol, Jacob Lawrence and Alex Katz. Courtesy of The McNay Art Museum

New exhibit displays vibrant contemporary art

By Denice Hernandez Staff Writer The McNay museum is currently holding the American Concepts and Global Visions/Selections from the AT&T Collection: Contemporary Paintings and Sculpture which features over 40 collections. The exhibit focuses on American art from the 20th and 21st century with a range of paintings, sculptures, photography and large-scale art on paper. The earliest pieces of work date back to the 1960s and the entire collection has a very contemporary feel to it.

The first works that you’ll notice is of “Edmund” and “Gretchen,” two New York “urbanites” dancing. The artist, Robert Longo, wanted to show that even the wealthiest and most privileged people could still be deranged. Longo is well known his particular fascination with the way people die in movies and tries to incorporate the theme into his work.

A lot of the works illustrate people doing ordinary things such as playing basketball or sitting on a porch, capturing the true essence of the American life. It is not difficult to see that the stories behind each piece of art revolve around environmental and social issues, attachment to technology and life’s simple pleasures. The exhibit also shines a light on the advances we have had in the past century. Paintings of buildings, streets and technologic advances that have ultimately formed the American way of life we have accepted are featured.

“Scenic View” a work from Matthew McCaslin, a Brooklyn artist known for his intersections of nature and technology, was also showcased in the exhibit. Taking a look at it his interesting piece of work makes us realize how out of tune we are with nature as our relationship with technology progresses.

There is something for nature lovers to enjoy as well.

Photographs of waterfalls, islands and forests are also featured in the exhibit and provide a serene vibe to the loud pieces of art surrounding it. Color and movement do take up the majority of the art content, but the toneless photographs and drawings were still able to hold their own and capture the same amount of attention.

The experience of seeing this exhibit will definitely leave you thinking about how the values of our society have evolved. Some of the artists featured in the exhibit are Alex Katz, Jacob Lawrence, Willie Cole and Andy Warhol. You will be surrounded by vibrant work and dark images, but they all blend perfectly together to spark the imagination and create feelings of appreciation. There is not a single dull moment and you begin to realize the changes Americans have seen over the years while envisioning new ones.

The McNay will be housing this exhibit until May 17.

CULTURE CALENDAR Ry Cooder/Vincent Valdez: El Chavez Ravine

March 14–Aug. 2 San Antonio Museum of Art

Valdez was commissioned by the Grammy Award-winning musician Ry Cooder to paint a mural on a vintage 1950s ice cream truck.

El Cuerpo Adornado: Exploring the Aesthetic Spirit of Mexico, Photographs

April 17– April 19 Majestic Theatre

George Jackson reveals 25 life-size color photos of the various indian communities in Mexico.

Mariachi Campanas de America & Guadalupe Dance Company will produce a colorful and lively evening with tradtional Mexican mariachi music with Latin pop music.

Feb. 25– June 27 San Antonio Museum of Art

San Antonio SymphonyFiesta POPS

Queens and Crowns: Fiesta’s Royal Traditions

April 4 – Sept. 7 Witte Museum

In honor of San Antonio’s Fiesta and 100th anniversary of the Order of the Alamo, the exhibit will display luxurious gowns worn by past queens.

Phantom Sightings: Art after the chicano

March 13 – June 14 Alameda Theater

With an emphasis on a younger generation of emerging artists, the exhibit provides a variety of artwork representing the struggles of the Chicano culture.

04.08.09

Features

Diversifying the campus Student organization shares the traditional customs of foreign nations to inform student body.

Keily Rivero Senior Staff Writer The International Student Association (INSTA) has taken the initiative to bring a night of cultural exposure and entertainment for the entire campus community through their newly traditional International Night.

The event highlighted the cultures of the Philippines, Peru and Saudi Arabia and was held on April 1. Rather than focusing on one nation, INSTA took a new approach and explored three with each representing at least one student attending the university. Each International Night features music, food and dance representing each country.

An estimated 100 people came throughout the night to gain insight on the cultures of students who attend the university.

“When we began eight months ago we never expected that it would grow to include so many people. I feel happy that we were able to make a difference, establish

Top: Student tries on a traditional black burka at Java City on April 1.

Bottom: Seniors Education major Christina Savva and Biochemistry major Gabriel Hernandez dance at an event hosted by International Student Association. Photos by Davilin Hamel

The Rattler 13

multiculturalism and INSTA awareness,” said economics and international relations sophomore and INSTA president Alvaro Zapatel. “When we leave we will have established something.”

For the students whose country was being celebrated, this was an opportunity to share a part of their lives with their fellow students. International student and information technology sophomore Turki Al Lelah, who is from Saudi Arabia, was very pleased to share this night with his peers.

“I was excited to see how people were communicating with others, how welcoming they were and also because I was beginning to get homesick. It was great to see how they asked us things about our culture or asked us to write their name in Arabic.”

Others also thoroughly enjoyed seeing such diversity on campus in both the food and music. Some traditional Peruvian food that was served, for example, was shredded chicken in milk or Aji de Gallina.

“I loved the music, the food and the way they dress because you don’t see that every day,” said biochemistry sophomore Shuhaib Ali. “Watching them dance made me want to dance, too.”

14 The Rattler

04.08.09 Photo by Robin Johnson

Photo by Analicia Perez

Photo by Robin Johnson Photo by Robin Johnson Photo by Robin Johnson

Photo by Robin Johnson

Photo by Robin Johnson

Photo by Analicia Perez

04.08.09

The Rattler 15 Photo by Analicia Perez

Photo by Analicia Perez

Photo by Robin Johnson

A Night of Tradition

By Sarah Mills Editor- In- Chief

Photo by Robin Johnson

In the spirit of celebrating tradition, an estimated 7,000 alumni and university community attended the annual Homecoming Oyster Bake.

The event was held on April 4 in Pecan Grove and began with mass in the Quad at 4:30 p.m. and ended with a night of socializing and dancing at 11 p.m.

One of the biggest highlights at the event was the crowning of the homecoming court. The king and queen represented the two Registered Student Organizations that donated the most money to the San Antonio Food Bank.

Senior political science major, Erika Lopez, of Alpha Phi was crowned queen and junior accounting major Juan Elizondo of Lambda Chi Alpha, king.

Lopez said she felt honored to be Alphi Phi’s fifth consecutive homecoming queen.

“I had no idea I would be queen, it’s

just so competitive,” she said.

Rather than keeping to tradition, Elizondo broke Chi Phi’s history of holding the crown for twelve years.

“I’ve always been the little worker bee, I didn’t expect to be awarded for it,” said Elizondo.

For alumni, socializing with former classmates and faculty was their reason for returning to their alma mater.

“I like seeing people that you haven’t seen in so many years,” said Day Weatly, former business major and class of 1968 graduate.

“I’ve even seen some people I didn’t want to see,” added his friend Scott Huntley, also a previous business major and 1969 alumnus.

For them, the event revives memories from “back then.”

“I still have that dream of never graduating,” Huntley said. “I keep my diploma hidden under my mattress so that I don’t see it.”

Photo by Analicia Perez

Photo by Robin Johnson

Photo by Robin Johnson

Photo by Robin Johnson

Features

16 The Rattler

The lighter side of...

Urban Dictionary– St. Mary’s style

BY JAIME PEREZ This generation of Gossip Girl, Kanye West and Twilight fans has found a voice outside the English language.

Merriam-Webster, Oxford and the Cambridge dictionaries have all failed them, but no worries. They have found urbandictionary.com.

However, Urban Dictionary, a Web site that allows users to insert slang words or phrases along with their definitions, lacks the voice of the average St. Mary’s student’s terminology. This gross under representation of the student body cannot continue.

Let my few suggestions for Rattler-eccentric words be the first step to correcting this terrible problem.

Snake Charmed—Verb.

Act of having been in hypnotic state, most likely caused by night class or a unbearably long lecture.

Tail Shake—Verb. Getting groovy and/or jiggy with it.

Rattler grip—Verb or Noun. The unpleasant act of having a hold on a student’s account, which prevents them from registering.

Snakes vs. Squirrels— Noun. The epic battle between the now-exiled rattlesnakes and a overwhelming squirrel infestation.

Snake eyes—Noun. The bags around a student’s eyes caused by a round of latenight studying.

Ophiophobia—Noun.

The fear of snakes or Rattler Baseball team.

Rattled out—Verb. The act of being decked out in Rattler clothes and accessories.

Rattled down—Verb. The act of wearing no Rattler clothing and accessories outside the campus for fear of cruel judgment.

04.08.09

Give them something to “tweet” about

University uses emerging medium to communicate with students and faculty.

By Erica Leal Staff Writer

The university is among an array of groups and individuals using one of the latest wrinkles in communication: Twitter.

Twitter is an online blogging service that enables users to provide constant updates, breaking news and other tidbits.

Twitter users can “follow” any group or organization, meaning they can subscribe to the “tweets,” or up to 140-character messages, of any individual or group of interest, thereby receiving quick updates to information of all genres on a Twitter homepage.

Entertainment, political and even local news is updated as it happens. Twitter users come in all ages and many celebrities have Twitter accounts to update fans.

The university’s Twitter site provides information about what is happening around campus. No matter what the event or its organizational sponsor, the St. Mary’s Twitter site keeps followers current on campus news.

“It seems like a great new way to promote different activities and keep students and alumni informed about their school.”

- Gina Gayton St. Mary’s Alumni The university Twitter account is maintained by Lauren Thompson, electronic communication coordinator at University Communications.

“Twitter is a new way to stay more connected, with not just the school, but alumni and our community,” she said.

Thompson updates the Twitter

page with “tweets” (updates) as soon as events take place. Among the issues for which she’s used Twitter include bulletins on the new dean of the business school and discussion of the new forensic science degree, which debuts on campus in the fall semester.

“Our St. Mary’s Twitter account is growing rapidly,” she said. “It is a really interesting way to have one-on-one communication with real news.”

At the time of publication the university has 200 followers. But institutions are not the sole Twitter users. Jaclyn Martinez, a junior exercise and sports major at St. Mary’s also recently became a Twitter user.

“At first I was a bit confused, but I understand now that it is just a blog to keep people informed, which is kind of cool,” said Martinez. “[Through Twitter] I am ‘following’ Time magazine, KSAT 12 [a local news program] and St. Mary’s. I don’t really use it too much as a social site.”

Historical thinkers debate Professors represent prominent intellectuals in discussion.

By Jaime Perez Features Editor Four prominent thinkers in history recently met on campus, despite the fact that they have passed away years ago. This did not stop them, or rather, the professors portraying them, to participate in an annual discussion hosted by the philosophy honor society Phi Sigma Tau (PST).

The Meeting of the Minds, held on March 26 in the Life Science building, invited students to watch a group of professors dressed as famous philosophers debate.

Philosophy professors Caitlin SmithGilson, Ph.D., and Stephen Caogero, Ph.D., played German philosopher Hannah Arendt and French existentialist Albert Camus, respectively. History professors Teresa Van Hoy, Ph.D., and Daniel Bjork, Ph.D., played Egyptian pharaoh Cleopatra and American psychologist B.F Skinner. Van Hoy, who enjoyed the experience, chose to portray Cleopatra because of her femininity and power.

“Cleopatra was a person who was revered by her people. They believed her to

be a god,” said Van Hoy. “I thought it was important to represent an individual who empowered women in a field that has been largely dominated by men.”

The organizer and moderator of the event was PST president and senior marketing major Amanda Guerra.

Guerra collaborated with the professors to pick characters and questions.

“We had about 70 people attend and the performance was amazing,” said Guerra.

“We wanted to engage students in Philosophy with these characters and make it entertaining.”

The topics covered were the purpose of freedom, the motives behind behavior and man’s purpose or duty. At the end of the debate, the audience was allowed to ask questions to the four philosophers.

Freshman criminology major Emily Espinoza said she enjoyed when B.F. Skinner (Bjork) had to answer for his “air crib”— a temperature and humidity controlled box he used for his daughter.

“It was funny hearing him defend putting his daughter in the box. Like when he said he invented it to help his wife,” said Espinoza. “That was ridiculous.”

Martinez also said that Twitter had been a topic of discussion in one of her classes.

“We discussed how educational and useful it can be to people,” she said. “It’s a really resourceful site that can tell you about things that are going on worldwide and locally at the same time, whenever you want, and more quickly.”

Gina Gaytan, a St. Mary’s alumna and second grade teacher at Washington Elementary School, recently signed on as a Twitter user as well.

“I wish it [had been] around when I was in school,” said Gaytan. “Then maybe more people would know what was going on and attend some events. It seems like a great new way to promote different activities and keep students and alumni informed about their school.”

One can keep current on St. Mary’s campus activities by joining Twitter and find the university’s site at http://twitter.com/StMarysU.

Features

04.08.09

The Rattler 17

Cozy restaurant offers healthy homemade dishes

By Bridgette Sturts Staff Writer From their healthy strawberry pecan spinach salad to the hot-ntoasty Rueben sandwich, Pam’s Patio Kitchen, located on Wurzbach and Lockhill Selma, is sure to have something to appease anybody’s taste buds. They have an interesting mango salsa with a kick and fluffy pita bread and fresh strawberries dunked in homemade lemonade that compliment their tasty sandwiches and unique soups.

If you stop in during lunch hour, be prepared to wait in line because, although it moves quickly, the place gets packed–and fast.

You can choose to sit inside Pam’s cozy kitchen or outside on the patio for some sun during the day or candlelight by night.

I found out about this place a couple of years ago and have never had a bad meal since. This chilledout, artsy café is not starved for attention in the slightest, despite its hidden location. The familyowned, Zagat-rated restaurant is a bit pricey, but worth every penny.

The owner Pam is always on location working behind the counter alongside the friendly waiters, her hubby David and sons Alex and Ryan. She makes every desert from scratch, a sweet touch that is guaranteed to have you fighting with your lunch buddy over the Italian wedding cake, the key lime pie or the coconut latte.

As a food bon vivant, I’ve dined at some of the best restaurants, not only in San Antonio, but all over the world and can honestly say I had the best tacos at Pam’s.

Outside the classroom A spotlight on faculty

Dianne Bertrand

I don’t know anywhere else in San Antonio with fish tacos like these. The dish comes with three corn tortillas filled with grilled, flavorful shrimp topped with cabbage, cilantro and avocado and is accompanied by grilled pineapple.

It’s healthy and not greasy like most of the shrimp tacos I’ve had.

Pam’s makes each dish right when it’s ordered – nothing is precooked or pre-prepared — ensuring freshness every time. You can tell they are proud of their dishes, some of which have a distinct Mexican or Thai flair.

You can choose from a full beer and wine menu as well. Most dishes range from $4–$15. Pam’s Patio Kitchen is open to the public for lunch Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Mouthwatering shrimp tacos with a glass of white wine are featured on the dinner menu at Pam’s. Photo by Bridgette Sturts

In your career, you have won the Library Association Schneider Family Book Award and the San Antonio Public Library Arts and Letters Award. What inspired you to write?

The Empanadas that Abuela Made and Caldo, Caldo, Caldo are intended for a younger audience. What made you choose to experiment with children’s books?

“I have been a writer ever since I was a little girl writing down stories and poems. However, what influenced me to become an author, someone who was willing to publish her work and share it, was a lack of literature by Hispanic Americans. I felt that there was a need for more literature about the Mexican American experience here in South Texas as well as across the United States.”

“Over the past five years I have drawn inspiration from things that have happened to my own two children when they were in grade school, middle school, high school and even college. I also get a lot of inspiration from things that I read in the newspaper and people that I meet who share stories with me. I am also often enchanted by works written by St. Mary’s University’s own students.

I get to read about the memories, thoughts and ideas that I had forgotten.. I often tell people that I would never quit teaching because my students have a lot to teach me about the writing process, about creating characters and telling great stories. I believe it is because of the students that I teach here at St. Mary’s that I continue to be inspired as a writer.”

How has growing up in San Antonio affected your writing?

“The common theme that floats through all of my writing is the influence of my own immediate family, living here in San Antonio, being raised in a Catholic home and going to the Catholic schools in San Antonio. Combining my family, my faith and the friends that I have gives me a positive and optimistic way of looking at the world and this optimism is reflected in my writing.”

What experience do you provide as a professional writer to your students?

I write with my students. I let them know that it means a lot to me to put my thoughts down on paper so that when my students are writing in the classroom I am writing alongside them. I believe that it is because they realize that I take writing so seriously that they are inspired to take it seriously as well. I have learned as a writing teacher that you cannot force a topic onto a student and expect them to be inspired. As a writing teacher I feel that I have an obligation to help students find their own topics.

Photo by Davilin Hamel

What writing projects are you working on at the moment?

“I have been asked to compile my poetry and publish a book of my poetry, which will be published through the Pecan Grove Press at St. Mary’s University. I am currently in the process of trying to locate all of the poems I have written over the past 10 to 15 years in order to publish them in a book. I also want to write a historical fiction book loosely based on a story that has been floating around my family for quite some time. I would also like to continue to discover what else is out there and I hope that I have another 15 to 20 years to find that there is something out there that I haven’t written that needs to be written. When I find this I tell myself ‘Okay Diane, I think you need to do this because no one else is doing it.’

Compiled by Davilin Hamel

Features

18 The Rattler

04.08.09

Clicking on Criticism



Some students are deciding which classes to register for based on professor evaluations posted by other classmates on Ratemyprofessors.com, a popular website.

By Denice Hernandez Staff Reporter When students prepare for registration each semester, some turn to a social site that allows them to read comments other students have posted about a professor.

Ratemyprofessors.com is a Web site where students can anonymously evaluate professors they have taken a class with or are currently taking.

Students can rate the difficulty and comprehension of the class, how helpful the professor is and the overall interest level of the course.

The ratings total up and receive a sad or happy emoticon face indicating the average satisfaction the students had taking the course with that

Peanut Gallery

With students researching classes and professors during regestration month, the Rattler wants to know?

Have you chosen a class based on RateMyProfessors.com?

professor. Along with this, a student can also give professors a red chili pepper for their “hotness” level.

“This site has been very useful to me,” said freshman accounting major Lauren King. ”Being a freshman, I don’t always know which professors I would benefit from. ”King explained that Ratemyprofessors.com is a tool students mainly used during the advising and registration process as it helps them narrow down their options for a class and can help in choosing an academic setting they will be comfortable in.

Since the posts are anonymous, one has to wonder whether professors are always rated honestly and fairly. Some students may just use this as a way to vent or discredit a

professor that they didn’t click with.

Another taint on the reliability of this source is that students tend to rate the “best” professors as the ones who give the least homework or do not count attendances.

“I don’t necessarily look for the easy professors, I look for the ones that are described as enthusiastic and enjoyable,” King added.

Junior criminal justice major José Ruiz said that he has never posted a rating but does consider the site to be a reliable source when it comes to deciding which professors to add to his class schedule.

“From firsthand experience, I’ve taken classes with professors with bad reviews and everything [the reviews] said turned out to be right,” said Ruiz.

The site’s guidelines request

complete honesty and objectivity when rating a professor. It also asks that students focus on the professor’s professional strengths and weaknesses, not personal ones.

However, though the site may offer insight to a professor’s teaching methods, it does not provide a credible source for constructive criticism according to philosophy professor Matthew D. Mangum.

“I really value student feedback, but Ratemyprofessors.com is not the venue for (most) professors to get such feedback,” Mangum said. “Some complaints are simply unfounded such as a review from a community college student claiming I treated my class like law students.”

Feedback like this can be found about a professor when a student

logs onto the Web site and types in the professor’s name or the name of the university on the search engine on the page. Currently, 243 St. Mary’s professors can be found on the site.

Since MTVU bought out the Web site in 2007, a new feature called “professors strike back” was added. This new addition to the site allows professors to create an account and post blogs so that they can write rebuttals against comments made about them.

The popularity of the Web site is growing rapidly and is linked to universities in the United States, Canada and England. And to prolong its effectiveness and usefulness, Time magazine named it one of the top Web sites of 2008.

Rene Muňoz

Daisy Flores

Ray Gallegos

Political finance, Senior

Psychology, Junior

Corporate Finance, Junior

I would sometimes choose classes because of [RateMyProfessors].

I would choose the class if they get really good reviews or if the professor offers extra credit and they aren’t too demanding.”

“I’ve used it once or twice. I took a professor because they said he was really boring, but easy. I also have friends who read the Web site and would tell me not to take a class because of RateMyProfessors.”

“Sometimes I think it’s mean how they let a student rate a professor’s appearance too. Some of the comments are really harsh. If I was a professor and read it I would be really disappointed.”

Entertainment San Antonio home to teenage YouTube singer on the rise 04.08.09

The Rattler 19

By Jasmine Garcia Staff Writer

College students stressed out about finding jobs in a recession may want a lesson from a local collegian who seems less concerned about her future, thanks to YouTube.

For the past three years, 19- year old Alyssa Bernal has been displaying her singing talent on YouTube, which seems to have put her close to scoring the offer of a lifetime.

Bernal, a freshman at San Antonio College, signed up for a YouTube account on May 14, 2006, intending only to post silly videos of her and her friends. But after noticing videos of people singing, she posted a video of her singing, and she got encouraging responses.

“People on YouTube definitely inspired me a lot, since they seemed to dig my voice,” Bernal said.

Then, on June 27, 2008 she posted her own rendition of Rihanna’s “Take A Bow,” which to her surprise has received over 2 million views, according to her YouTube channel.

The number of her subscribers has moved steadily higher ever since, now at over 115,000. Bernal’s YouTube channel, hchsknights08, is currently in the top 20 of most- subscribed musicians at number 16, higher than Beyonce, Carrie Underwood and Miley Cyrus. Her cover of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl” received more views than her Rihanna cover – over 3 million views.

The YouTube star has collaborated with other aspiring singers, such as Nicole Mauricio and Kris Mark, through YouTube videos.

Record labels and producers have begun to notice her talent.

“The first producer I worked with was out of Houston. I was back and forth between San Antonio and Houston recording songs for like two summers, then American

Music Group (a Los Angeles label) contacted me and I signed with them shortly after.”

Bernal recalls signing with AMG last October over dinner at Landry’s downtown.

Her first single “Never Woulda” was released on iTunes last November, but after the release the process moved slowly due to the label’s lack of funds, and she asked to be released from her contract, which called “For seven albums, which was outrageous. And since we couldn’t afford an attorney [at the time] we were blinded into signing,” Bernal said. But she also kept in contact with the manager of Alevela, a band signed under the same label, which had the same problem and asked to be released from AMG. After months of trying to promote herself by submitting her video to Katy Perry’s contest (shown during this year’s Grammy’s) and attempting to form a band, it looks like Bernal is closer to a moment of fame. She’s near an opportunity to sign with N.E.R.D lead singer Pharrell Williams’ record label, Star Trak entertainment. Hip-hop artists Clipse, Snoop Dog, Slim Thug, Rosco P. and Dhalia are also with the Williams’ label. Williams was originally looking for a girl group on YouTube, but apparently changed, once he came across Bernal’s videos, she said.

Bernal’s attorney Scott Flecher, whom she said also represents Rihanna, is looking over the contract from Williams.

Williams is producing a show called “Limelight,” a new television drama series focused on students who attend a performing arts high school in New York. Williams has indicated he wants Bernal to play the role of “Zoe,” a student attending the school.

The show, Bernal said, is still in production for ABC. Bernal has been meeting with Williams and the other producers of “Limelight” to begin shooting the pilot.

Bernal met with her attorney late last month in New York, and met such artists as

After being signed twice, 19-year-old Alyssa Bernal searches for a steady record label.

Courtesy of MySpace Chris Brown and Raven. She hopes to work with artists such as Jason Mraz, Corinne Bailey Rae, and David Archuleta.

With everything happening so fast, Bernal’s mother, Kathy Bernal, is filled with nothing but happiness for her daughter.

“She’s really proud and hopes for the best.

Her main concern is always being there for me [lately] because of her work schedule.”

The aspiring singer says she’s still living the life of a normal college student, and is attending mass at St. Mary’s at 11 a.m. Sundays.

The Holy Cross graduate plans on returning to her high school to perform three songs at Acoustic Night at 7 p.m on April 17, an event which allows students to showcase their musical talents.

entertain yourself MOVIE RELEASE

OBSERVE AND REPORT Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Ray Liotta APRIL 10 The all-too-serious mall security, Ronnie Barnhardt (Rogen), attempts showing up the police, fulfilling a dream to fight crime and impress a woman focused on her makeup counter, not him.

CD RELEASE

NOW WE CAN SEE The Thermals APRIL 7 Hailing from Portland, Ore., The Thermals unveil their fourth indie record on their new label Kills Rock Stars, former label of Bikini Kill and the Decemberists. With the title track already available as the first single, Now We Can See reflects much of their early work which they consider their prime.

ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY

SAN ANTONIO

2009 FIEST OYSTER BAKE St. Mary’s University Alumni Association APRIL 17, 5 p.m. & APRIL 18, 11 a.m.

From Alumni Pavilion to Pecan Grove

MAVERICK FRIENDS USED BOOK SALE The Friends of the Maverick Library APRIL 18-19, 9 a.m.

Maury Maverick Jr. Library

Chevelle headlines the main stage at the annual fiesta kickoff.

The Maverick Library holds a twoday fundraiser selling thousands of books ranging from a quarter to a dollar.

CONCERT

MOZ TOUR Morrissey APRIL 12, 8 p.m.

Bass Concert Hall, Austin, TX For having a tour that expected overnight camping and early lineups for tickets, Morrissey epitomizes a man with power.

This still-young energy drives his passion to visit the capital city.

Entertainment

20 The Rattler

04.08.09

Henry (David Pfeifer) attempts to use his gun on both women after an argument between him and Jill (Daniella Garcia), center, strikes a chord with him. Photo by Analicia Perez

Fox starts slow, acting strengthens towards end

By Jaime Perez Features Editor

It was the little play that could. After initial bumps in The Fox, the production managed to gain steam and deliver its audience a powerful performance from its rising stars.

The play, based upon the novella by D.H. Lawrence and adapted by Allan Miller, tells the story of two friends who manage a struggling farm together. Their simple, yet difficult lives are made even more complicated when a mysterious soldier arrives on their doorstep asking for a little shelter and food.

When prissy Jill Banford invites tired, travelling soldier Henry Grenfel to eat and rest, Nellie March, a hard worker who mans the farm, is initially distrustful of the soldier.

However, he soon wins Nellie’s affections and the roles reverse. Jill becomes suspicious of the looming stranger and Nellie finds that she is falling for him.

The direction by Bernadette HamiltonBrady was focused and detailed throughout all the elements in the show. The props and lighting, designed by Dion Denevan, was simplistic, yet successful in transitioning scenes and adding mood. The use of props and the actors’ awareness of their stage was the most surprising. Actions as simple as the pouring of tea or the chopping of wood

revealed personalities and emotions much more effectively than the most eloquent of soliloquies.

History major Daniella Garcia, who played Jill, provided an initially annoying and unsympathetic portrayal of the character. The girlie housemaid who is dependent on her sister seems like a caricature.

However, because of the enfolding drama or the actress’s growing confidence on stage, Jill becomes unnervingly real. Garcia makes the audience feel pity, rather than annoyance, for a character that becomes increasingly unhinged.

The tough and masculine Nellie March played by criminology major Candice Slaughter was not entirely convincing as the distrustful and scowling middle-aged farmer. Her hard personality sounded forced and every raised voice seemed rehearsed rather than being spontaneous blasts of anger. However, when the character falls in and out of love with Henry, Slaughter does provide one of the saddest and convincing moments in the play. Her vulnerability more than makes up for this forced acting and contributed to her character being one of the most likable of the cast.

The most surprisingly consistent actor on stage was freshman international relations major David Pfeifer. The production seemed to be fortunate to find an actor who

was convincing as a possible threat. Several times in the play, Pfeifer used his size and presence to make the audience feel he can break the two ladies with a shove or grab.

His bursts of anger were both genuine and frightening with his laughter being maniacal, yet childlike. Yes, his performance did

suffer at times from his frequent stutter, headshakes or sighs, but his overall presence on stage compensated.

As the play developed, the individual performances noticeably strengthened, resulting in a successful production–all thanks to a talented cast and crew.

Henry (David Pfeifer) calms Nellie (Candice Slaughter) after an “accident” involving Jill.

Photo by Analicia Perez

Entertainment

04.08.09

Stefani just girl in fashion world

By Kimberly Vela

Advertising Manager Bravo’s A-List awards show that will premiere on April 15 will mark perhaps the last time fans witness Gwen Stefani in the limelight on her own accord. Stefani is up for three, including A-List awards in the categories of Female Style and Celebrity Designer.

Since her debut, Stefani has launched the clothing label L.A.M.B., two perfume lines, released two albums and had two children with former Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale.

Stefani’s definitely an entrepreneur, but long-time fans of Stefani’s former band have something to look forward to in the next coming months.

When Stefani launched her solo career back in 2004, fans of No Doubt feared that they were losing their best friend. Could this have been the end? Luckily for the fans of the ska-influenced rock band, 2009 is the year of

reunions, as proved by Blink-182 and Jane’s Addiction.

While drummer Adrian Young told Spin magazine that No Doubt never broke up in the first place, five years without a group tour can definitely do some damage to a band’s cohesiveness.

The last album the foursome released was 2001’s Rock Steady, which could be a problem.

Not having debuted a new album for the tour, No Doubt will have to resort to a setlist of 10-year-old songs, but at least they will be together.

Launching this summer, the tour will make a stop in Dallas and the Woodlands on May 30 and 31, respectively.

BY STEPHANIE SANDERS From San Antonio to Austin, The Tour Guide wants to keep you, the everyday concertgoer, informed. You’d hate to be the one crying in the corner asking yourself, “Why did I miss that concert?” or “How did I not know they were going to be here?” Don’t be an April fool; stay informed.

04/09- ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, SCHOOL BOY HUMOR, JET LAGGED GEMINI, KIERNAN MCMULLAN Rock Bottom Tattoo Bar, 6:30 p.m.

04/09- SILVERSTEIN, NORMA JEAN, BLESSTHEFALL, BEFORE THEIR EYES Emo’s Austin. 7 p.m.

2009 A-List Awards Nominees

04/10- PLAIN WHITE T’S, DANGER RADIO, SINGLE FILE White Rabbit, 7 p.m.

A-LIST STYLE (Female)

The woman who never fails to make the best-dressed list

04/10- BLUE OCTOBER & OURS Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, 7 p.m.

Anne Hathaway Scarlett Johansson Michelle Obama Rihanna Gwen Stefani

04/12- A SKYLIT DRIVE, DANCE GAVIN DANCE, ATTACK ATTACK! Emo’s Austin, 7 p.m.

A-LIST ARTIST OF THE YEAR

The artist who “kept us coming back for more”

04/25- PENNYWISE, PEPPER, EXPENDABLES Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, 7 p.m.

Beyonce No Doubt Katy Perry Britney Spears Kanye West

A-LIST CELEBRITY DESIGNER Victoria Beckham – dVb Denim Sean Combs – Sean John Gwen Stefani – L.A.M.B. Justin Timberlake – William Rast Kanye West – Kanye Louis Vuitton Shoes

The Tour Guide Pencil these in

And the Award Goes to...

A celebrity whose “designs we can’t get enough of”

The Rattler 21

A clothing line, two perfume lines and two children later, the self-determined Gwen Stefani travels back to her roots after three nominations from Bravo’s AList Awards. The latest queen of fashion rejoins bandmates of No Doubt and makes her return as the queen of rock, pop, ska and everything in between. Is there anything she can’t do? Source ggfreewebs.com

04/25- FRANZ FERDINAND & BORN RUFFIANS La Zona Rosa, 9 p.m.

04/28- MATES OF STATE, BLACK KIDS, SUNBEARS! La Zona Rosa, 9 p.m.

05/01- DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, RA RA RIOT, AND MATT COSTA Austin Music Hall, 7 p.m.

22 The Rattler

Entertainment

04.08.09

Local Band jumps first hurdle toward Oyster Bake performance

By Stephanie Sanders Entertainment Editor

San Antonio-based and St. Mary’s University local artist, You’re Done For (YDF), received the honor of a time slot on the main stage at this year’s Fiesta Oyster Bake after judges declared the five-man band winners of the University Programming Council’s annually-sponsored Battle of the Bands.

Up against the talents of Modern Day Redemption, the Rattler Band creation better known as Accidental Change and the lively Christian rockers Church Militant, YDF persuaded judges and audience members to see they were the perfect mix of energy-pumping crowd-pleasers.

With energy like that of Epitaph records artist Motion City Soundtrack, YDF turned fans away from their original lyrical content where emotion seemed to be absent in the words of the lead singer, senior education major Greg Hermann.

“I was up there kind of jammin’ and left after the second song. I was bored,” said junior biology major Mary Callegos.

Aside from the large gathering of family and friends, the crowd seemed less involved until the third song. Perhaps YDF is a band that eventually grows on some people.

You’re Done For ended Battle of the

Bands on a strong note.

Senior philosophy major Regis Velasco said, “They had really good stage presence.”

Will stage presence and a catchy sound capture the ears and hearts of the Fiesta attendees, a massive crowd of about 70,000 people?

“Accidental Change is relatively new, so covers were a good choice for them. A lot more people just know our songs,” said the band.

You’re Done For may need to rethink their strategy before hitting up a major stage performance, a place all-too-familiar with Modern Day Redemption.

A self-reliant punk band playing for an unlabeled scene, Modern Day Redemption experienced mixed emotions from a closeminded crowd. The audience branded them “musically good.”

However, screaming, half of the passion driving the band’s artistic elements, only appealed to a small fraction of the people. This was the perfect example of a strong presence of emotionally-driven lyrics that YDF lacked.

“We rocked out and showed no mercy.

We felt we could have done better, but all in all we had fun,” YDF said.

You’re Done For plays the Oyster Bake main stage at 9p.m. on Saturday, April 18.

Bryan Gonzalez, John Sifuentes and Vincent Gonzalez of You’re Done For went out to have fun and won the Battle of the Bands prize of playing at Oyster Bake. Photo by Robin Johnson

04.08.09

Entertainment

High-speed film excites past, new action fans

Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O’onner (Paul Walker) please crowds with fourth installment of Fast and Furious franchise. Source Rottentomatoes

By Matthew Rodriguez Staff Writer Fast and Furious

HHHHH

Dir. by Justin Lin Starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriguez

The film begins with the main cast attempting to inconspicuously snag the trailers of a gas truck. If you think that this must be the most excitement the film has to offer, think again.

A continuous theme of high-speed and daring stunts is maintained throughout the film. However, a few of the scenes do come across as ridiculously unrealistic or highly unlikely. For example, in the beginning scene when tough-guy, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian (Paul Walker) and a few of their crew members cause the gas truck to wipe out, Dom narrowly escapes a deadly fate of being crushed by the careening truck with an element that makes up the Fast and Furious series’ previous installments.

There is never a dull moment within the movie. Unless you are against fast-paced driving or are concerned about the endangerment of in-movie characters, this film is a definite must-see. It manages to leave no loose ends and its story is developed in a structured and systematic fashion. No editing issues were apparent and the direction of the film and acting was nearly phenomenal. Diesel was above the rest in remaining in-character. When Dom was expected to show remorse, he showed very little. When he thought his partner Brian went behind his back, he displayed an intense temper.

For a few of the high-speed races,

especially the one on a traffic-drenched street , the camera work was interesting. It was a tad shaky, but it adds to the illusion that the viewer is moving at incredibly high speeds in the midst of traffic within the city environment.

Although it was a little disappointing to see that the main crew from Tokyo Drift was cut out from the remainder of the movie outside the first scene, Fast & Furious is worth the viewing. It brings strong and skilled driver Dom and FBI agent Brian together in another action-packed and dangerous adventure.

Dom retains his ‘tough guy’ persona as he barely winces when he is shot in the topright portion of his back. Even though his role does not show an incredible amount of pain when he’s hit, he breaks character when his sister explains she will clean and close up his bullet wound.

Brian, though not as well-respected, plays the part of a loyal partner to Dom. With his connections, he aims to clear Dom’s name from his actions shown in previous Fast and Furious movies. Throughout the film, Dom and Brian’s friendship and rivalry heat up, Dom’s passion for Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) is pushed and justice must be served.

Fast & Furious maintains exhilaration and suspense that is perfect for those who enjoy speed, some amounts of heavy music and a little bit of danger. There are humorous moments and a handful of romantic scenes which all add to the film’s enjoyment, broadening the demographics for the audience of Fast & Furious.

For first-time viewers of the Fast and Furious films, I recommend you see this film in all its glory and signature, speed-induced cinematography.

The Rattler 23

Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark Open casting calls begin April 9 for Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark, the latest musical directed by Julie Taymor (Across the Universe).

With music by Grammy-winning band U2 and only six major cities scheduled, the

musical saved its Texas auditions for last.

Performers interested should show up May 27 in Austin, TX at the Dougherty Arts Center at 10 a.m. For list of roles and more information, visit www.SpidermanOnBroadway.com.

Sports

24 The Rattler

The Outdoor Corner Series

Parker for MVP is questionable

By Chris Filoteo Sports Editor

Have you been looking for a reason to be outdoors?

For all the seasoned hunters and others who just want to be with family, April is a notable month to look for shed antlers that have dropped from whitetail deer.

Antlers fall off every year and horns are permanent; therefore, walking through the field searching for shed antlers can be a productive method in patterning whitetail deer.

Some people might think whitetail deer season is only four months out of the year, but for others deer season is all year long.

Although I am a full- time student and have a full-time job, I try to find as much time as possible to scout deer.

I can’t express the enjoyment I find when tracking and scouting whitetail deer.

Plus, you never know when you could run accross wild pigs, coyotes and bobcats. It is legal to shoot those animals year-round due to overpopulation.

I have not been able to make a trip to my family ranch this spring, but trust me, the first chance I get I will be in the woods looking for shed antlers.

I will also stay on top of using my trail camera for scouting.

The use of digital game trail cameras can also increase your chance to see more wildlife when you are not in the field.

The pictures of deer with and without antlers will help you determine where the deer may have dropped their antlers.

This is also a perfect opportunity to take friends and family along in the woods to work together in finding antlers.

Remember, the goal is to see which bucks have made it through the season.

Shed antlers will help you know how many bucks are still in your area, which can help you better understand what kind of bucks you will be looking for in the fall.

As a side note, be careful when you are in the woods because warm weather brings snakes and pesky bugs, so use plenty of caution when walking through thick areas.

04.08.09

Some people believe Tony Parker is not playing as consistently as he did during his first season on the Spurs. Photo by Robin Johnson

By Chris Childree Senior Staff Writer No one pays attention to games anymore. They just look at the stats on the post-game scoreboard not wondering what actually took place.

But if you look at the whole game, you’ll see the truth about all the players.

Some are lazy and some don’t care.

I don’t think the Spurs will go anywhere this year, except for maybe down in flames.

Lately, Spurs point guard Tony Parker has gotten a lot of good press and according to some, including star forward Tim Duncan, Parker should be among those considered for this year’s Most Valuable Player award.

Apparently, these observers, especially Duncan while shooting his free throws, are blind or have their eyes closed during the final moments of games.

While Parker has had amazing stats this season and has played exceptionally well at certain points, he has also developed a trend of choking at the end of contests.

The most blatant example of this occurred during the March 20 loss to the Boston Celtics, a game the Spurs could’ve easily rode to victory had Parker not missed four straight free throws in the last minute of the fourth quarter.

This came four nights following a late three-pointer missed by Parker in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, their 19th victory of the season.

Two days following the loss to Boston, the Spurs would go on to lose

their lead in the Southwest division after being defeated by the Houston Rockets, thanks mostly to a missed Tony Parker teardrop with seven seconds left in the game.

Luckily, the Spurs regained their lead in the Southwest division only because of Roger Mason, whose jump shot with 24 seconds remaining pushed the Spurs to a win.

This season, Mason has filled the late game void left by Robert Horry, a vital niche for the team.

But like many other Spurs, Mason has hit a rough patch lately.

With Manu Ginobili’s return, the Spurs won their next two games but his presence was not enough for the March 29 match in New Orleans.

In fact, Ginoboli committed the foul on Chris Paul, who was rewarded with three free throws after making it seem as if he was attempting a half-court shot, putting the game out of reach for the Spurs.

Paul was only able to get that far down the court because the supposed MVP candidate Parker did not foul him hard enough to get the call in the backcourt.

Despite the losses, the comeback of Ginobili and the easy April regular season schedule will probably allow for the Spurs to win the Southwest Division, which they currently lead with only a half-game over Houston.

But Houston’s remaining schedule faces five potential playoff teams plus the Phoenix Suns who are fighting for the eighth and final playoff seed.

At this point, it is likely that the Spurs will win the Southwest division, but they deserve the title about as much as Tony Parker deserves mention as an MVP candidate.

The Spurs should be wary about their first round match-up.

We can only hope they don’t go down in flames too soon but instead on their own terms.

Spurs: The Last 5 Wed, Apr 8 Portland Fri, Apr 10

Utah

Sun, Apr 12 @ Sacramento

8 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

9 p.m.

Mon, Apr 13 @ Golden State 10:30 p.m.

Wed, Apr 15 New Orleans Source: nba.com/spurs

7 p.m.

Sports

04.08.09

The Rattler 25

Team must take out top rivals to steal conference “We practice on the field everyday so we know how the field plays,” said Cisneros. “And it always helps seeing people in The baseball team is halfthe stands that you know.” way through their season, which Maldonado also feels more has consisted of a hot start in comfortable playing at home.

February, but a rough couple of “Having family and friends in games in March. the stands really plays a big Does the team have what role,” he said. “We are on the it takes to possibly make bus for hours at a time, we can’t the playoffs and a deep really move because we are stuck post-season run? in a seat.”

Whether or not they do, With the season half-way statistics show improvement over, the team can’t wait to with the team beginning make a run for the Heartland the season ranked 17th on Conference Championship, pingbaseball.com’s top 30 poll but conference rivals St. and later climbing to the 13th Edward’s and Incarnate Word rank after winning their first remain problematic. six games.

Last season, St. Edward’s According to exercise sports beat the Rattlers six out of junior Jonathan Cisneros, last seven games. season was different from this “Going into this season we season because they have a felt that we have to beat St. new team.

Edward’s in order for us to be “We weren’t ranked has high successful in our conference,” as I thought we should be. said Cisneros.

The underclassmen were But this year, the Incarnate happy with that ranking, but Word Cardinals are also adding the upperclassmen, including The Rattler’s plan to focus on taking out Incarnate Word and St. Edwards in order to win. Photo by Robin Johnson trials for the Rattlers. myself, were pretty upset about “I feel that our rival is it because we thought that we Incarnate Word because we’re thought that we were just going to roll over season, we’re not always going to be able should have been in the Top Ten,” two good teams in the same conference and everyone. We forgot that we have to fight to to bring our a-game, but right now we are said Cisneros. city battling for first place,” said Maldonado.

“The 17th rank is pretty high, but it wasn’t win every game because every game is not starting to get back in it.”

“Hopefully, our home-field advantage can The troubling run caused coach Charlie good enough for me so it made me and the going to be handed to us,” said Maldonado. help us win some games so we can move up “We forgot that we would have to play as a Migl to make a few changes in the line-up. other upperclassmen work harder.” in the standing.”

“We had a lot of questions to answer, so This mentality was the fuel which led the team in order to win.”

If the team can keep up their consist Cisneros was also upset with the losses in coach had to juggle the line-up around to Rattlers to a 12–4 record in February. ant pitching and hitting, it is possible Pitcher and accounting junior A.J. March because he loves to win, but hates to find the one needed to win,” said Cisneros. that they can overcome Incarnate The team is in second place behind TexasMaldonado also thinks the team should have lose even more.

Word, St. Edward’s and Texas-Permian “I think we got too relaxed. We had too Permian Basin in the Heartland Conference. been ranked higher, but that overconfidence Basin for the number one spot in the much confidence in ourselves with a bad The Rattlers are 14–1 at home, but are 8–10 led to the team’s rough patch in March.

Heartland conference.

“We got comfortable with ourselves; we string of luck,” said Cisneros. “It’s a long away from V.J. Keefe Memorial Stadium.

By Paul Saldana Staff Writer

2009 Heartland Conference Baseball Standings (as of April 5) School 1. Texas-Permian Basin 2. St. Mary’s 3. St. Edward’s 4. Incarnate Word 5. Newman 6. Texas A&M International 7. Lincoln 8. Oklahoma Panhandle State

CONF 22-9 21-9 22-10 19-10 17-15 11-19 8-21 0-26

OVERALL STREAK 26-10 W1 24-12 L1 24-13 L1 22-12 L1 20-16 W1 12-23 W2 9-22 W1 1-30 L30

HOME 13-3 16-2 15-7 10-5 11-10 9-12 3-5 1-18

AWAY 12-6 8-10 7-6 12-7 9-6 3-11 6-15 0-12

Source: : heartlandsports.org Chris Filoteo / The Rattler

Sports

26 The Rattler

04.08.09

Students question where Elite Eight profits will go

By Michelle Tello Staff Writer At the end of every basketball season a university is chosen to hold the NCAA women’s Division II Elite 8.

This year, St. Mary’s had the opportunity to host the tournament in the Bill Greehey Arena.

It became the talk among the university’s community and all around San Antonio.

There was much promotion and coverage for the event, from the St. Mary’s Web site to local radio commercials.

There were also numerous volunteers from across the city that helped in organizing the tournament to make it run smoothly.

At first, there seemed to be several debates about how much the game tickets would cost.

However, it was decided that the cost of entry would be $5 for students and senior citizens with an $8 charge for adults, faculty and staff.

There were also three ticket packages available for larger groups. For $18, students and senior citizens could attend all the games. Adults, faculty, and staff could take advantage of the same opportunity for $30.

Also, a “team” pack was available for a group of twenty for $99.

With the all the games held in the Greehey arena, there was no doubt that the university made a respectable profit.

Many questions, such as whether the proceeds will go toward the athletic department for athletic scholarships or if

they will go to clubs and organizations on campus, have risen.

Although people have their ideas of where the money will or should go, there are also those who would like to see it spread elsewhere.

One professor would like to see the money go to a more beneficial place which would have a big impact on students.

English professor Cyra S. Dumitru sees and understands how the economy has impacted current students. She said that she sees many students struggling to stay enrolled due to their family’s financial troubles.

For Dumitru, the money should be made “available for students whose families have been impacted by the recession to help them stay enrolled at St. Mary’s University.”

Many students presume that the money will automatically go to the Alumni Athletics Convocation Center, the Bill Greehey Arena and to athletic scholarships.

However, some don’t want to see that happen. In fact, some students want the profits to be distributed to other areas.

“There should be portions of the money going to the school’s teams who played in the tournament,” said political science freshman Mariam Cruz.

Ticket sales were not the only source of profits that came from the tournament.

Arena concessions were also sold to the fans, adding additional money to the event’s final sales.

International relations major freshman Veronica Lopez believes the money will go toward the athletic department.

The Bill Greehey Arena was decorated for success during the Division II Women’s National Championship last month. Photo by Analicia Perez Although she believes that is where it will go, she wants to see portions of the money help pay for the facilities that were used during the tournament, such as the arena’s restrooms, maintenance and the electricity.

Other students have voiced their opinion on how they believe the money raised should go to the departments that are in the most need of funds and hope that it will be a reality.

Tigers under scrutiny for playing during holy hours

By Brissa Renteria Senior Staff Writer ”Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,”- Galatians 1:3-4 That is not just a bible verse for your everyday life, but also an important reflection for the worldwide known Christian event, Good Friday.

Many Christians and even those of other faiths respectfully observe this holy day from noon to 3 p.m.

Many others also know that the Detroit Tigers will be playing the Texas Rangers at 1:05 p.m. that same day.

It is the only baseball game being played during the holy hours.

The other National and American League teams all play later that day.

Not only has the team upset many Americans, but it has also taken a new turn toward the religious views of its fans.

“It’s sort of an insult for Catholics,” said Michael Ochab, a 47-year-old Tigers fan during a Sports Illustrated interview.

Ochab is hoping for the starting time to be changed soon.

But as of now, he will be missing his first season opening game in 20 years due to a mass service he will be attending at Floridian Catholic Church in Hamtrack.

Ron Colangelo, spokesman for the Detroit Tigers, blames the weather primarily to be a factor since weather is difficult to predict.

Colangelo said it is a monumental task to organize a Major League season schedule and it’s especially difficult to do so during the spring climate changes in Detroit.

“Fans have come to know that our home opener is always a day game,” he said during a Sports Illustrated interview.

At this rate, it is almost impossible to change the date or time since the news has reached numerous people and time is running out.

Will this game be the start of a new trend for the Tigers?

It would be unlikely that they would make this a tradition due to the complaints of their fans.

Another reason would be a possible number of athletes

within the team who agree with their fans and also because it is not just a small population who is uneasy with this situation.

About one third of the Tigers’ hometown Detroit is Catholic.

This major division will be an inner reflection toward the players since it seems it is up to them to continue and play their games, or to step out and adhere to their fans’ beliefs.

Personally, I would’ve thought the Tigers should take the initiative to complain against the starting time.

Religion and beliefs are bigger issues than a game.

Although it may be one of America’s favorite past times, should beliefs not come first?

I am sure that some of the athletes may be Christian as well, so why should they not stand up for what they believe in and oppose the schedule in order to satisfy a greater good?

By doing so, the team would stand out and be respected by more fans.

Sports

04.08.09

The Rattler 27

Championship dominated by Minnesota State

No. 22 for Minnesota State-Minkato sophomore guard Andrea Walsh tries to dribble around Franklin Pierce’s No. 5 senior guard Vanessa Power for a basket during the championship game. Photo by Analicia Perez Continued from page 28 The arena was packed with cheering fans and camera equipment for ESPN. The seats were filled with mostly parents who traveled to watch their kids play, but there was also a substantial amount of children from the South San Little Dribblers basketball team.

The players seemed to enjoy their stay in the Alamo City, too.

“It was nice and I liked the scenery. The tour guide who

showed us around town when we arrived was awesome,” said Greta Laman, a sophomore life science major from Minnesota State-Mankato With teams throughout the nation pouring in, athletes were able to experience a different climate on top of a diverse culture.

The event finished off with the championship game between Franklin Peirce and Minnesota State-Mankato.

The women didn’t disappoint the crowd and televised

audience with a fast-paced and high-scoring game.

Minnesota State-Mankato won their first National Championship with a 104-94 win over Franklin Pierce University.

Freshman corrections major from Minnesota State-Mankato Lauren Barber said, “It felt amazing,” about her team making the Elite Eight.

Minnesota State- Mankato finished the year with the number one rank with Franklin Pierce coming in at second.

Top: Minnesota State-Mankato fans traveled hundreds of miles to see their team win the title.

Bottom: No. 4 senior guard for Franklin Pierce Jennifer Leedham looks to pass the ball around Minnesota State-Mankato’s No. 11 senior guard Heather Johnson. Photos by Analicia Perez

Sports

28 The Rattler

THE

HOT

04.08.09

SEAT Photo by Robin Johnson

Featuring: A.J. Maldonado Baseball Pitcher Classification: Junior Major: Accounting What do you do when you prepare for a game?

“The day before a game I take practice seriously while I try to eat and sleep right. I want to be mentally prepared before I pitch.”

What are your goals after you graduate?

“I would love to keep playing baseball, but if not I want to be a certified CPA and work for a big company here in San Antonio.

Maybe one day I can start my own company.”

Which position would you play if you didn’t pitch?

“It would be second base because that is what I played in high school.”

Who is your favorite player and why?

“Roger Clemens because of his work ethic and determination. I respect his willingness to always improve his game.”

Which team do you want to defeat the most this season and why?

“I would have to say Incarnate Word. They are our cross-town rivals and it’s always between us to see who goes to the playoffs.”

Compiled by Chris Filoteo

Minnesota State-Mankato players celebrate thier first Division II National Championship at The Bill Greehey Arena. Photos by Analicia Perez

St. Mary’s hosts first National Championship

By Chris Filoteo and Michelle Tello Sports Editor and Staff Writer The university hosted the NCAA Division II Women’s National Championships last month and the publicity for it was fantastic.

This was the first time that St. Mary’s University hosted the event.

Eight teams from around the country

traveled to the university to play for a chance to win the Division II National Championship including Delta State (Mississippi), West Texas A&M, California University of Pennsylvania, Franklin Peirce (New Hampshire), Alaska Anchorage, Clayton State (Georgia), Michigan Technological University and Minnesota StateMankato.

The four games on March 24 were available on webcast at ncaa.com, the two games on

March 25 were televised via ESPN University and the championship game was broadcasted on March 27 on ESPN2.

The game between Delta State and Franklin Peirce on March 25 was a great display of fundamental defense.

Both teams looked determined to play in the championship game, but Franklin Peirce triumphed with a 58-39 victory.

Cont. on PG 27, SEE “Championship”

Recent game results WOMEN’S TENNIS: Mar 21: at Mary Hardin-Baylor LOSS score: 5-2 [4-2] MEN’S TENNIS: Mar 21: Mary Hardin-Baylor WIN score: 6-3 [4-2]

Softball: April 3: at Texas A&M-International (Game 2) WIN score: 11-0 [23-24] April 3: at Texas A&M-International (Game 1)WIN score: 10-0 [22-24]

BASEBALL: April 3: Texas Permian-Basin (Game 1) WIN score: 14-7 [23-11] April 3: Texas Permian-Basin (Game 2) WIN score: 4-3 [24-11]

BASEBALL: Mar 31: Texas A&M Kingsville WIN score: 5-4 [22-11] Mar 26: at (#13) Angelo State LOSS score: 9-13 [21-11] Mar 21: Texas A&M-International (Game 1)WIN score: 6-5 [21-10]