Vol. 107 Issue No. 6 2/13/19

rattler A S T. M A R Y ’ S P U B L I C AT I O N S I N C E 1 9 1 9 Vol 107 | Issue 6 | Feb. 13, 2019 | San Antonio, Texas

prompt tighter security

LOUIE DIAZ NEWS EDITOR

Due to a numerous amount of phishing attempts, St. Mary’s cyber security team has implemented a multi-factor authentication, or MFA, process. Students and faculty may have noticed that they received some suspicious emails from other students recently. The compromised accounts have been dealt with.

“We returned from campus and there

were several students, a few employees, but quite a few students who had fallen victim to phishing attempts,” said Curtis White, vice president of information services.

Phishing is a type of cyberattack which primarily comes in the form of fraudulent emails in order to obtain sensitive information.

“These phishing attempts are coming in everyday ... our security appliances do a good job at stopping some of them, but not all of them. Phishing is that prominent,”

said Joseph Longo, executive director for enterprise systems.

According to Curtis White, other schools have been affected by phishing attempts as well. A compromised school account can be very dangerous; at first glance it may seem legitimate, however, upon further review, the email will show signs of fraud.

Information services sent notifications to the students whose accounts were compromised. Often times, the accounts were set to delete emails from information

CONTINUED ON PG. 2

OPINION

LIFESTYLE

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

PG.6

PG.11

PG.13

PG.15

Facetuning is harmful towards youth

Restaurants to eat at for Valentine’s Day

Paper Tiger hosts indie band, Campdogzz

Soccer player signs to play professionally

2 NEWS

EDITOR: LOUIE DIAZ | @STMURATTLERNEWS | FEB. 13, 2019

History students present project in New York AINARA MORA STAFF WRITER

THE RATTLER

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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 College Media Association and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

POLICY ON NEWSPAPER THEFT Due to high production costs, members of the St. Mary’s University community are permitted one copy per issue. Where available, additional copies may be purchased (for 50 cents each) by contacting The Rattler newsroom. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and/or subject to university discipline.

EDITORIAL STATEMENT The content published in the Rattler is the responsibility of each respective writer. The views expressed in the staff editorial reflect the views of the majority of the editorial staff.

MISSIONS Grounded partially in the Marianist values of family and community, we maintain an open forum for discussion. We strive to produce quality content that informs, not inflames; encourages, not discourages.

We must be sensitive, not sensationalistic; reasonable, not ridiculous; balanced, not bitter.

St. Mary’s history students are hosting a major public history project on GermanAmerican Internment during World War II. The project, entitled “Year of Remembrance,” has won great support from the Texas State History Museum in Austin and the Tenement Museum in New York.

What started as a class project for Nicole Johnson, sophomore history major, snowballed into something much bigger than anticipated.

“On the first day of class last semester,” Johnson explained, “I never imagined that within two weeks my small assignment would turn into something bigger than a class assignment.”

The project will be finishing Feb. 15 in New York and will be emotional to the German-Americans and Latin Americans whose stories are directly told through this project.

“Seventy-five years ago, GermanAmericans and Latin Americans left the New York harbor aboard the MS Gripsholm bound for war-torn Germany. To many, the Statue of Liberty – a symbol of welcoming and hope – was a sorrowful exit sign to the country they called home,” Johnson illustrated, giving a peek of what the project entails. Johnson, alongside John Cadena, public history graduate student, Claudia Sanchez, freshman history major, and Dr. Teresa Van Hoy, professor in the history department, will travel to New York to host the third and final event of the project — a big reunion of the former children, now elderly, internees.

“Thanks to the support from Dean Frost’s office, we are able to fund travel and lodging for two students,” Van Hoy said. “Claudia Sanchez was selected based on strength of research on German-American internment last semester and working on student genealogy team searching [a]ncestry for descendants of the original passengers from 75 years ago,” she said. “John Cadena is also accompanying us, due to his commitment during our Chicago event. He paid his own FROM “PHISHING”

services. Students may be unaware that their accounts were compromised. The accounts that were compromised were deactivated.

The project initially launched in November, but talks about switching to MFA started about a year ago. All of information services, library services, communications and a select few students tested MFA. There were roughly 25 accounts reported to be compromised last semester.

Since the implementation of MFA, none of the accounts have been compromised.

“The reason [they can not access your account] is because they don’t have the other factor. It’s not something that hacker[s have] access to,” said Longo.

The most common form of MFA are knowledge factors, meaning a PIN, passcode or security questions. It can also

Karin Peters, with her daughter, Ana Morse, presented their Texas Internment Roots Tour to Van Hoy’s class. Peters will visit the German-American exhibit curated by Van Hoy.| Photo by Karina Charo

expenses and proved to be an excellent troubleshooter and master of logistics,” Van Hoy explained. “We are fortunate enough to have the leadership of Nicole Johnson who was the original student leader of this project and is paying her own expenses so as to contribute to the project.”

Johnson hopes that St. Mary’s students will assist in convincing Congress to federally recognize German-American internment and Latin American internment to give many German-Americans and Latin Americans justice.

“The Year of Remembrance ends on Feb. 15, I am hopeful that St. Mary’s students will assist us in convincing [C]ongress to federally recognize German-American Internment and Latin American Internment, as Japanese Internment was recognized by President Reagan as well as Italian Internment by [President] Clinton,” Van Hoy said.

This project seeks to engage St. Mary’s students as though they were in an honors program.

“Over the course of the three semesters, our students have produced research posters, micro documentary films, public history events with press coverage, an interactive map, museum publications in come in other forms such as biometrics or confirmation messages.

Multi-factor authentication is only programed to work off the St. Mary’s network. Initially, it was so MFA worked on campus. Users had to provide some sort of extra authentication. Users who are off

New York and Texas, a year-long physical museum exhibit, several conference presentations, student awards, and student internships in Texas and Washington D.C.,” said Van Hoy. “St. Mary’s 2020 vision champions the ideal of making the college experience of every student the equivalent of an honors program.”

The project is hosting an event Thursday, Feb. 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. to link St. Mary’s students to the internees in New York to give them the opportunity to meet, thank and pass the torch to them.

As much as the project has been successful, Van Hoy’s students realize that it would not have been possible without her help.

“I could not have done anything without the most influential professor I’ve ever had, Dr. Van Hoy,” expressed Johnson. “She dedicates countless hours to ensure that her students and this project are successful.”

Van Hoy strongly feels this project will affect St. Mary’s, providing students and faculty with a drive of the mission towards social justice.

“We reinforce the well-earned reputation of St. Mary’s as human-centered, social justice-oriented and a steadfast voice for the voiceless.”

Phishing attempts cannot be stopped or removed. However, they can be detected with anti-virus software; it is critical for all users to run anti-virus software.

According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, these are a few tips to avoid and report phishing if students are suspicious of any unsolicited email requesting personal information.

“Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal information. Always compare the link in the email to the link that you are actually directed to. Log on to the official website, instead of linking to it from an unsolicited email. Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the email to verify if the email is genuine,” as stated on the FBI’s website.

If students are still experiencing trouble with their email account regarding this issue, contact Graphic by Louie Diaz Information Services at 210-431-4357, campus will have to provide an extra form and stay diligent when looking through of authentication. Users who are on campus emails. If receiving an email of this sorts, tell and using their data plan will be prompted the sender as they are more than likely not to use MFA. aware of the issue.

NEWS 3

FEB. 13, 2019 | STMURATTLERNEWS .COM

POLICE BLOTTER JAN./FEB. 2019 JAN. 29 Stalking reported in Andrew Cremer Hall.

Case is active.

JAN. 30 Domestic violence and stalking case reported off campus.

Case is active.

JAN. 31 Possession of drug paraphernalia reported in Adele hall.

Case is arrest— citation.

FEB. 1 Theft of $100<$750 - bicycles reported at Herbert and John G. Leies hall (bike rack).

Case is active.

FEB. 4 Graffiti reported at the varsity softball practice facility.

Case is inactive— no further investigative leads.

FEB. 6 Theft of $750 < $2,500 - bicycles reported at Perigueux hall (bike rack).

Case is active.

FEB. 7 Sexual assault reported at 4553 N. Loop 1604 East.

Unfounded— Not within StMU police jurisdiction.

FEB. 7 Theft of $100<$750 - bicycles reported at Cremer hall (bike rack).

Case is active.

FEB. 8 Theft of $100<$750 - bicycles reported at Perigueux hall (bike rack).

Case is active.

Professor to be inducted into Texas Institute of Letters

“

Often, a story will start with an image that I have in my head Dr. Ito Romo, associate professor and often personal. I write away of English language and literature at, from the original image so that has been announced as an inductee it really is fictional.”

GERARDO NINO-POZOS STAFF WRITER

into the Texas Institute of Letters.

The Texas Institute of Letters, or TIL, celebrates Texas literature by recognizing distinct literary achievement by Texan writers. Sixteen others will also be inducted into the TIL along with Romo.

On hearing about his induction, Romo was pleasantly surprised, but humbled, to be included among famous writers such as acclaimed screenwriter and director Wes Anderson and esteemed novelist Norma Cantu.

“I was totally surprised,” said Romo.

Romo’s major works include two published books thus far: “The Border is Burning” and “El Puente.” The former is a series of short stories while the latter described an interconnected set of stories. According to Romo, there is a tangible connection between the two

“

During that time, my love for teaching grew because I could really see differences that I made in people’s lives.”

Dr. Ito Romo professor of English language and literature

books and South Texas.

“They’re definitely about border culture and definitely about South Texas,”

Dr. Ito Romo professor of English language and literature said Romo.

Border culture is a predominant topic throughout the two books. Published 13 years apart, both follow the lives of people who live closely by the border and how it impacts their lives. Although Romo has a strong passion for the topics in his books, he never fully writes based on his experience.

Instead, he taps into a skill he learned before he was a published writer and serves as the template for his stories.

“Often, a story will start with an image that I have in my head and often personal,” said Romo. “I write away from the original image so that it really is fictional.”

Romo was immensely fond of visual arts design before he was set on writing. This passion has allowed him to better himself as a writer. Romo hardly envisioned himself a writer back then.

“I never thought I’d ever be a writer,” he said.

While living in New York, he found his desire to become a writer. In between jobs, a friend of Romo and acclaimed poet, Sandra Cisneros, led him to discover the writer within when she connected him to her agent.

“She said ‘why don’t you go see my agent, see if she’s got a job,’” he said.

He went on to have a successful writing

career but, frankly, it is only a fraction of his career. Romo has had over two decades of teaching experience over several schools: St. Phillips College, Palo Alto College, Northwest Vista College, and, finally, St. Mary’s. He served as an adjunct at a variety of Texas community colleges, teaching English courses since 1993.

“During that time, my love for teaching grew because I could really see differences that I made in people’s lives,” he said.

At St. Mary’s, Romo remains a dedicated teacher and staff member, educating new students in creative writing and MexicanAmerican literature. In the twilight of Romo’s career, his passion for visual arts has not faded and leaves the door open for future potential work. Romo will be inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters on April 26 and April 27 in McAllen, Texas.

Dr. Romo’s official induction cermeony into the Texas Institute of Letters will be on April 26 and 27 in McAllen, Texas.| Photo by Robert Salluce

Business students headed to Canada for global competition SABRINA EVANS LIFESTYLE EDITOR

The Network of International Business Schools team, or NIBS, will be competing in the championship rounds hosted by the University of Prince Edward Island from Feb. 18 to Feb. 22 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

In order to qualify for this competition, 16 NIBS teams from around the world were chosen to compete after completing an eight-hour written case. In order to prepare for this event, the team practices four hours every Saturday. They are given a new case every time to analyze and then are expected to create an effective plan each practice.

NIBS is a prestigious, international business organization consisting of universities around the world. The NIBS team at St. Mary’s is a panel of students selected by their professors to represent the Greehey School of Business at an international case competition. In order to join the NIBS team, after their nomination, they then had to prepare a short case pitch.

This year’s team members are Liam Gillooly, senior international business major, Ethan Carlson, junior finance and risk management major, Kyle Green, senior finance and risk management major, and Kimberly Rodriguez, senior marketing major. The advisors for this organization are Dr. Jeffrey Johnson and Professor Matthew

Jordan, both professors for the Greehey School of Business.

During the qualifying round, the St. Mary’s NIBS team was presented with a case that included a company’s history, management, objectives, and the problem the company was facing. The team then had to perform an eight-hour written case examining every aspect of the company. To do this, the team first had to analyze the case and then had to perform a case breakdown.

The case breakdown includes reading the case to figure out their goal, formulating three courses of action, and producing a concrete course of action. A sample case presented to the team was one for Ethiopian Airlines, a company unsure of their role in the airline industry. Every case is different and usually exhibits an issue or opportunity for growth within successful companies.

These cases come from the top business schools around the world.

Each member of the team contributes essential knowledge and skills when they are configuring the overall goal of the case.

Carlson and Green are the team members who analyze the financial aspects of each case along with the risks involved. Rodriguez is in charge of the implementation of the plan from a marketing perspective.

Gillooly works on the internal and external environment and corporate strategy. This interdisciplinary approach allows the team to highlight every department within the

Each member of the NIBS team brings their own strengths to the competition.| Photo by Cody Rivera

Greehey School of Business, and apply what they have learned in their time at St. Mary’s.

According to team member, Liam Gillooly, the team is looking forward to the competition, as it will give them an opportunity to see all of their hard work pay

off. The students have dedicated much time and energy to the success of the team, and they will finally get the chance to exhibit their skills against the top business schools from around the world.

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6 OPINION

EDITOR: VICTORIA SALDANA | @STMURATTLERNEWS | FEB. 13, 2019

Facetuning pictures on social media negatively impacts youth in real life Victoria

Saldana OPINION EDITOR

In the last few years, society has taken steps to embrace body positivity and all aspects of one’s self to be true, authentic and an individual. This movement has taken hold of men and women everywhere and is a true campaign of positivity. Though, the rise of facetuning may be the antithesis of such an authentic sentiment.

The phone app, Facetune, which has reigned as No. 1 in the iTunes app store, beginning in 2013, has since only gained popularity. The app is rated for users aged four and up, a troubling rating all on its own, and was created by a company called Lightricks.

Lightricks advertises this app as a simpler, cheaper Photoshop, and as a way for portraits to show only the best version of people. This narrative is one being presented to children four years or older who are still developing into their authentic selves - in a day and age of alteration and bravado; it is dangerous to teach this to children so young.

Children are too young to understand the effects of this seemingly harmless app that teaches them at a young age to put up a facade on social media. It is at this point, society draws a line for them between their authenticity and between their social media

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Samantha Salazar Managing Editor Isabela Vazquez Copy Editor Julissa Cantu Advertising Manager Daria Flowers Photo Editor Karina Charo Assistant Photo Editor Cody Rivera Layout and Design/Web Editor Victoria Valle Social Media Manager Jocelyn Alvarez Bibian News Editor Louie Diaz Lifestyle Editor Sabrina Evans Opinion Editor Victoria Saldana Entertainment Editor Elizabeth Arredondo Sports Editor Tawny Davis Faculty Adviser Camille Langston, Ph.D.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY

and real life. The opposition to this is while society tells its populace to hide parts of themselves - the actions and moments that are not professional and appropriate to the public, facetuning is not censoring the less than proper moments in life; it is changing the contours and colors of one’s body.

In the media, there is hardly an authentic image anywhere. There are few realistic images for young girls and boys to look and identify with, and these images,

especially over time, can severely damage young people’s perceptions of themselves.

Therefore, leading them to alter their faces and bodies to look and seem more alike those they admire. At the expense of embracing their authentic self, young people of color are especially hurt by this as popular influencers may alter their features, such as lightening their darker eyes and skin, and sharpening rounder faces.

Katrin Tiidenberg, the author of “Selfies: Why We Love (and Hate) Them,” questioned

Graphics by Karina Charo

the representation Facetuning causes.

“Beautifying selfies [narrow] the standards of what is acceptable to show … making some traits invisible by making everyone look the same.”

“It’s difficult to control the intensity of changes,” CNN reported just a few years ago after the introduction of the app and as it gained more popularity. “Once you start smoothing wrinkles, there’s no option to tone it down so that only the cute crow feet remain.” As the app has developed over the last few years, people can smooth wrinkles, but also lighten skin, sharpen contours, and bring in a person’s hips. Just as CNN reported, the fine line between putting the best pictures forward and completely altering one’s person can be easily crossed.

These altered images can affect children all the way into their adulthood.

Although at this age one can use better judgment to determine what is authentic and fake, the impact of images after childhood is bound to impact young adults.

Overtime, the overall perception of one’s self with the normalization of facetuning is certain to become negative and unhealthy with unrealistic expectations being thrown in young women and men’s social media feeds; causing, undue harm to themselves.

Gentrification takes over low-income neighborhoods in city Julissa

Cantu COPY EDITOR

Ten minutes away from St. Mary’s, houses are established with native families inside, living on pothole-heavy streets, working low-income jobs in neighborhoods they were raised in. These families plan on raising their children and grandchildren in these homes, just as their parents and grandparents were raised there. Unfortunately for these families, they might not have this opportunity because of developers introduced to the city by the San Antonio administration to bring in big business.

Gentrification is defined as renovating and improving a district to conform to middle-class taste, however, the word does not translate well into real life.

While people have a tendency to think the introduction of developers and big business into cities is positive, in reality, it creates an environment where people cannot afford to live in their homes anymore due to tax increases and forces them to leave their homes and, most likely, the city. These people leave their low-wage jobs, their friends and connections and, with them

gone, the city loses a piece of culture it cannot get back with the introduction of Silicon Valley-like individuals.

While some may say this is an unintentional side effect of attempting to improve local economy, it is very much a deliberate action posed onto the populace to drive them out of a city, transforming their image into one that is significantly less impoverished. If these actions were truly unintentional, cities would take a more offensive stance regarding social programs to keep these families in the neighborhood they live in. Through the raising of prices, the city essentially is enacting an economic eviction.

Additionally, these provisions entail gentrification to create a battlefield for class warfare occurrences. Gentrification is a slow, excruciating process that picks off families one by one. With new families moving into these neighborhoods, it creates a chaos there was not before. These families do not know the culture around the block and are coming in with certain expectations attached with the deception of the real estate market gentrification is causing.

They report scenes they deem uncivilized and not fit for society and, in a sense, make the neighborhood unwelcoming for its original inhabitants.

Lastly, this process, if the populace knows their rights, will retaliate, making the enacting of gentrification a useless waste of time and resources. Appreciative of a well-organized mutiny of citizens and non-citizens, this is not a total deterrent.

However, if it could reduce community discontent, these steps should not be taken in the first place. Retaliation is usually seen in the form of appealing rising property taxes – a right landowners possess – but also as physical revolt governments might not want on their hands.

This issue directly pertains to college students as renters are raising the price of rent all over the country and world.

People are becoming homeless, living in their cars in school parking lots in freezing temperatures in some parts of the U.S. Gentrification has the tendency of attacking vulnerable groups who have not had an opportunity to establish anything for themselves. Gentrification is giving an opportunity to businesses and developers to build in a way that negatively affect places just across the street from St. Mary’s, taking away opportunity from people who have not even had a chance.

The Rattler welcomes letters to the editor.

Letters should not exceed 500 words and must include writer’s name, classification, major and telephone number. Editors reserve the right to edit submissions for length, grammar, spelling and content. For more information, call the newsroom at (210) 436-3401 or email rattlernews@gmail.com.

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www.stmurattlernews.com

Graphic by Victoria Saldana

OPINION 7

FEB. 13, 2019 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

Core classes deemed valuable in preparing all disciplines for the future

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Students with a business interest often debate the potential benefits of a liberal arts education added to their major of choice.

Most of the time, a liberal arts curriculum is perceived as not having a true relationship with business. St. Mary’s, a liberal arts institution, challenges the view of many on including liberal arts classes to industryspecific careers. St. Mary’s Core classes can be proven to be a beneficial addition to a business curriculum, because these courses add to the set of personal skills students develop in their undergraduate years.

Most students in any discipline decide to take core courses during their freshman and sophomore years to get them out of the way. This is a predominant idea among business students as well. However, upperclassmen have sometimes shown regret about taking all these courses during their first years instead of spreading them out throughout their St. Mary’s career.

Some students show a disinterest in core courses, sometimes referring to them as easy A’s or pointless. Some of these classes may appear to be easy A’s, but at the end, it all depends on the work students put in.

St. Mary’s Core courses are not pure cushions for more advanced, difficult classes; these courses offer valuable

personal skills that go from critical community members, so the biggest thing thinking to a clear understanding of the is you have a better understanding of the implications of one’s actions in others world around you,” Singh said. “A liberal and society. Dr. Tanuja Singh, dean of the arts education helps you think critically Greehey School of Business, agrees that a beyond just your immediate field. Business liberal arts education provides students students, like any other students— with the skills they need to succeed. engineering students, law students—they “If you look at the future of work, all need [those] skills,” she added. the future of work literature says that St. Mary’s Core courses add more value the skills people are going to need are to a business curriculum in a fiercely complex problem solving, cognitive competitive work environment. adaptability, team work, o o l h o c f S Bus Upon graduation, students ey creativity [and] innovation h ine face the challenge of e re and those kinds of skills finding the right job for come from disciplines them. Most students that are rooted on the understand that the liberal arts,” Dean level of competition Singh commented. for the same job is Major-specific relatively high; hence, courses and the students must find that business core classes which differentiates give students most themselves from other of the knowledge applicants. Singh believes needed to succeed in their that the core courses may future careers. Courses like provide St. Mary’s students accounting, economics, finance that edge. and technology and innovation provide a “ If you think about that whole notion of ground for business-oriented knowledge. serving, of community, of knowledge, that, In addition to this industry knowledge, in fact, when I talk to employers, [and] I ask St. Mary’s Core courses add skills such as them what makes our students different, deep reasoning and questioning, personal they always mention the fact that we are a understanding, ethical reasoning and Catholic and Marianist [institution]—and critical analysis. “As individuals in society, they may not even know that—but they say we are not just accountants, we are leaders, what is different about [St. Mary’s students] we are family members [and] we are is [their] commitment to the greater good;

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Alvarez-Bibian SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

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Jocelyn

Although there are 10 classes, which, upon reflection, can take up a lot of Saldana valuable time when developing a degree OPINION EDITOR plan, many of these classes can be covered by previous Advanced Placement or dual The St. Mary’s core in its entirety is credits. This opportunity also allows one 30 credit hours meant to promote a well- to focus on subjects they know less about rounded liberal arts education in students. and learn more about the world and the St. Mary’s, as a Marianist university, issues faced every day. utilizes their core material to emphasize In polarized America, it is more Marianist values such as service, social important than ever to be a critical justice, family spirit, adaptation and thinker and an active listener, skills core change, and faith formation.

As an English major, these classes classes look to develop.

“We wanted every single student broaden the scope of understanding.

The St. Mary’s foundations of reflection that graduated from here to be a courses on self, ethics and God allow a part of the solution to this incivility better understand of literature and and polarized ignorance.” anities and So different ideas. The classes Dean Frost commented. m u cia do so through presenting fH As this is the case, l o different ways of the core classes thinking, provoked must be succinct by philosophers, and meaningful theologians, and for the extra 30 other great thinkers. credit hours to In this, humanities’ be valuable and students gain new worthy. Insignificant ways of perceiving experiences result from information and can Graphics by Victoria Saldana busy work, excessive integrate this knowledge into their degree. readings, disorganization The core classes have also and a general lack of enthusiasm assist in becoming a better reader, and creativity from the instructor. writer and communicator, as most of This leaves it up to the staff and these classes are discussion-based and professors to be proficient and dutiful make students think how to formulate, in making sure the core is as up to date develop, and present an opinion, which is as it possibly can be, and integrating essential to not only to an English degree meaningful lessons and assignments but most degrees. “[We are] educating students for the into the classroom.

“I am hoping we could have more of next 10, 20, 30 years down the read. No a great books curriculum embedded one knows what the world is going to look like,” Dean Christopher Frost of the into the core,” Dean Frost expressed, school of Humanities and Social Sciences on what he wishes to see next as the core is stated in his advocacy for the core’s value. being redeveloped.

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and it further strengthen one’s own faith.

Without the requirement of the St. Mary’s Varghese core, one may never be able to explore other CONTRIBUTING WRITER disciplines, which enrich one’s education. “[The core is] for us to understand our St. Mary’s students often question the own place in the bigger fabric of society, necessity of the required core classes. and what our vocations are and how to These classes seemingly offer no benefit find those.” Dean Winston Erevelles outside of a GPA boost for those in need of the School of Science, Engineering, of one. However, some of the core classes and Technology said. “So it is not an have been quite interesting and beneficial abstraction of ideas. It is also a very developing as a holistic Christian student. practical understanding of how all these Obviously, what comes with the core ideas fit into different disciplines. It is curriculum is a natural response of boredom fundamentally vital. ” and listlessness in the classroom. Students Some of the core courses are truly will do anything to get out of doing any beneficial to one’s education as a person, more than the required minimum of and not just as a student. These work, so it’s understandable how n i e g e n r ing classes, while impractical at ce, E an some feel negatively towards n d times, offer genuine benefits ie c core course. However, in self-betterment for part of the Marianist those willing to go education requires the extra mile and a commitment learn something new. to educating for However, when a formation in professor takes an faith while also unnecessarily difficult providing an integral, path rather than quality education. attempting to engage It is enjoyable to be their students in intellectual subjected to a wide range of discussion, students are likely subject matter, and when a student to dismiss the class as a tedious waste is solely in engineering classes, there might of time. As long as the core courses are an be missed inclusivity of other subjects like enjoyable, interactive experience, provide history, philosophy, and science. The class, challenging concepts and thoughts to foundation of reflection: self, really triggers ponder, students will remain engaged and an interest in philosophy, which would be more likely to stay engaged for other have been missed if the circumstances were core courses in the future. St. Mary’s core different. The class also offers so much curriculum is truly beneficial when a about the history of philosophy, the great relationship between teacher and students thinkers of the world’s past and present and is developed through engaging, intellectual how to evaluate life’s meaning and pursuits discussion, and a student’s workload is that matter. In addition, one can learn not increased dramatically due to a about God and proofs for His existence, core class.

Thomas

the commitment to community,” she said.

More than anything else, St. Mary’s mission is reflected on students who receive an education rooted in the liberal arts.

“At St. Mary’s, we prepare students for a vocation, not just an occupation. That deep level of inquiry, that deep thought about your role in the world, your role in society, we do it really well in the core classes at St. Mary’s,” said Dean Singh.

Those who still consider a liberal arts curriculum as having no benefit accompanying a business degree should take the time to think about where their soft skills are being developed. The classroom provides countless opportunities to strengthen the set of skills students possess, and a liberal arts curriculum allows for challenging, sometimes ignored non-business-related conversations.

“We make you read, analyze, interpret and articulate so you are much more able to use those skill sets in a business environment,” Dean Singh said. “Those skill sets are so critical to really developing people in their ability to communicate well, to be able to problem solve and that is something we see all the time,” she added.

Above all, a liberal arts education opens one’s eyes to both the past and the future, developing students’ creativity, critical thinking, problem solving and empathy.

10 LIFESTYLE

EDITOR: SABRINA EVANS | @STMURATTLERNEWS | FEB. 13, 2019

TREND WATCH: Comfy concert attire for alternative shows at local venue SABRINA EVANS LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Concerts are a great opportunity to discover new music and enjoy talented musical artists, however, choosing what to wear is usually the most difficult part.

There are many different outfit options depending on what kind of concert it is, though. A genre-appropriate look is almost as important as the music itself.

In San Antonio, young locals looking for a good concert frequent the Paper Tiger. Most of the artists invited to perform at the venue are of the indie or alternative genre variety.

Due to this, it is important to specifically

focus on what to wear for an alternative concert for the multitude of events that may occur. For this genre of concert, a good rule of thumb is to keep it sweet and simple.

Alternative concerts are a great excuse to be comfortable and stylish. There really is no wrong way to dress for these kinds of concerts, whether someone is sporting a band t-shirt with black jeans or a loose dress with a jean jacket. That is, unless one wears a neon green tight dress. However, fashion guidance can help avoid that all together.

A suggested outfit for an alternative concert would be a band or solid color t-shirt, ripped skinny jeans, a jean or leather jacket, and comfortable sneakers

or boots. Many different combinations of outfits can be made from these pieces. This outfit is the best option for a cold night that still remains stylish.

Another option for an outfit if it is a little warmer outside is a jean skirt, a cropped t-shirt or regular shirt – avoid blouses at all costs –, and any type of booties or comfortable tennis shoes for a more casual approach. This can be paired with a hat, depending on what season it is.

Socorro Salazar, junior political science major, and Josue Jaramillo, senior biology major, showcase their concert outfits at a show for the band Campdogzz at the Paper Tiger.

Jaramillo wears a comfortable outfit perfect

for a concert and the cold weather with a patterned sweater, dark jeans rolled up, and floral high top sneakers. This outfit is a good balance between comfort and style. Salazar wears a classic outfit choice with dark blue skinny jeans, a light-colored jacket, a loose, army green shirt and matching army green sneakers. Her outfit was casual, but cool and had a good mixture of colors without being too outrageous which created a relaxed look perfect for an alternative concert.

Going to concerts can be fun but dressing for the occasion makes the experience special. However, it is important to create a go-to style that can help make the concert experience become even better.

Photos by Isabela Vazquez

Bullet journaling promotes productivity and creativity rather than procrastination SABRINA EVANS LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Bullet journaling is a recent trend that has helped transform student’s lives for the better by helping them create structure in their, possibly, disorganized lives. The concept of the bullet journal was created by Ryder Carroll, a digital producer, designer and author. Carroll created bullet journaling as an alternative way to be productive and to adapt to his learning disabilities he was diagnosed with early in life. This methodology has since gone on to help people of all ages to better their lives and remain focused. It is designed to help those who practice the method learn the best way for them to stay mindful and organized.

Carroll even wrote a book, “The Bullet Journal Method,” a step-by-step guide of how to create a bullet journal as well as why it has worked for many. The key components the book highlights about bullet journaling is to, “track the past, order the present, and design the future.”

There are many common misconceptions surrounding bullet journaling. For instance, bullet journaling is often seen as timeconsuming, but, in reality, every journal is different. It requires as much time as one puts into it. Most bullet journals require on average 30 minutes to an hour per day to maintain. A vast majority of time spent on a bullet journal should consist of planning, assessing progress, reflecting and evaluating.

Bullet journaling has many benefits and can attribute success throughout the semester. Some benefits include being customizable to one’s needs, being userfriendly and easy to set up, keeping everything organized, inspiring productivity, and being able to track long-term goals. For those interested in beginning the process, it is important to first establish a bullet journal planning routine. This includes figuring out when to bullet journal and picking a consistent location to do it in. This will help

establish a routine, ensuring that bullet journaling happens every day.

There are many different methods to bullet journaling and students have to discover which way works best for them.

However, there are very common methods that have worked for many bullet journalists; the most common being the daily planning.

After looking over daily tasks, it is important to also write down items in future logs. A future log can be located anywhere, but must be marked where it can be found easily for reference. The future log consists of tasks for the upcoming weeks and months which are not important to put in the daily tasks but must be accounted for somewhere.

and made at the interpretation of the bullet journalist. A mood tracker can help immensely when doing self-reflection at the end of each month to find common trends and what the reason behind them might be. A spending tracker is convenient when it comes to creating a weekly, monthly, or yearly budget because one can see what they spend their money on the most and what cutbacks they should make. Gratitude logs can help one appreciate the good things in life especially when feeling overwhelmed or stressed out.

Starting a bullet journal may seem like an overwhelming task especially for those who are not artistic, but a bullet journal is not meant to be perfect or stressful. In fact, a bullet journal can be a great tool for students to minimize stress and stay productive when it comes to academics, extracurriculars and work. Bullet journaling has also shown to be a creative outlet for students as well as a way to conserve memories of special moments.

Journaling is a productive scrapbook that keeps students on track and, in a way, creates an order to an otherwise chaotic and forgetful life.

Photo by Cody Rivera

The first step to daily planning is to review the current day. Throughout the day, most journalists will utilize their journal to mark down tasks that need to be done or jot down notes to refer back to at the end of the day. Whenever sitting down to do the daily planning, it is important to look at notes made throughout the day and add additional tasks or lists for the next day. It is important to add the date at the top of each new entry. Another option is to add a stylish header with some doodles to add personality to the entry.

The next step is to update monthly logs.

These are separate from future logs as they are based on monthly tasks, important events and personal devotions. The monthly log is used for any entries that are not close enough to put in the daily log, but also not far enough they have to be in the future log.

The monthly tracker does not have to be used consistently, should one decide it does not work for their personal needs.

More options to have in a bullet journal are mood trackers, spending trackers, and gratitude logs. These can be used creatively

Graphic by Sabrina Evans

LIFESTYLE 11

FEB. 13, 2019 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

Top five restaurants perfect for dining on Valentine’s Day RENEE PADILLA STAFF WRITER

Dinner dates are classic and fun and, with Valentine’s Day coming up, San Antonio offers plenty of options. For an adventurous dining experience, the downtown area has a large variety of restaurants. Students should be aware that these restaurants may be pricy, but create a fine dining experience. Whether it is for a romantic evening or a night out with friends, here is a list of five restaurants in San Antonio for a Valentine’s date.

Botika Pearl is a trendy Peruvian-Asian restaurant located at the Pearl Brewery with an open, airy atmosphere. From empanadas to sushi, the menu blends Latin American and Asian flavors. They also offer vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The restaurant serves classic cocktails, beer, wine and sake. The Botika Pearl has a rating of 3-and-a-half-stars and, located at 303 Pearl Pkwy., takes reservations and offers dinner

and lunch menus. Specific menu options can be found on their website, www.botikapearl. com and reservations can be made at 210-670-7684.

People around downtown walk to Down on Grayson, a modern American restaurant, which serves a mix of classic and contemporary dishes. Down on Grayson is rated four stars with a popular Brussels sprout appetizer which seems to be a favorite among vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. The menu also sports a large selection of beer, wine and cocktails. Down on Grayson does not take reservations but is open Sunday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Grayson is located at 303 East Grayson and their website is downongrayson.com.

Italian restaurant, Braza Brava Pizzeria Napoletana, is known for its assortment of pizzas. The pizzeria even offers gluten-free pizza, with one reviewer describing it as

fresh and handmade. The restaurant only offers beer and wine; the wine selection is well-liked by customers. Braza Brava has a four-star review for its quiet and casual atmosphere, as it seems to be popular among diners. Located at 7959 Broadway St., Braza Brava takes reservations and is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and stays open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The full menu and specials can be viewed at www.brazabravapizzeria. com/ while reservations can be made at 210-320-2100.

For Mexican food, Mamacita’s Restaurant has standard Tex-Mex cuisine with a unique atmosphere. The building is grand and decorated to resemble a Mexican plaza.

Fresh tortillas roll off the comal and a robotic Davey Crockett plays the violin and the ceiling looks like the night sky. It is a spacious restaurant, and with a threeand-a-half-star rating, is not too bad for large parties. Located at 8030 Interstate 10

West, Mamacita’s is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Their website is www.mamacitas.com and reservations can be made at 210-341-5424.

Lucky Noodle is among the most popular Chinese restaurants in San Antonio. Lucky Noodle has a four-star rating and most praise the food. The casual restaurant is cheap, good for group gatherings but does not serve alcohol. Lucky Noodle is closed on Tuesday, but is open every other day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. They are located at 8525 Blanco Rd. and can be reached at 210-267-9717.

There are many places in San Antonio to treat one’s significant other, best friend, or even oneself to a delicious meal this Valentine’s Day to show care towards loved ones. Students better hurry, though, and make reservations before the holiday rolls around or else they might lose out on good times.

Graphic by Sabrina Evans

Photos courtesy of @foodieee.couple

MONEY MATTERS: Budgetting and financial literacy tips SABRINA EVANS LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Saving money is often times difficult to do in college with so many expenses one might be responsible for. Although managing and saving one’s money is not an easy task, with some cutbacks and self-control, it is possible. Common mistakes students make include not utilizing a meal plan, eating out too often, not saving money and living in the moment rather than planning for the future.

This mindset makes students care more about collecting experience rather than collecting investments. There is nothing wrong with experiencing the present, but it is important to remember to invest in the future. Though, it is not easy to save money for the future with all the new restaurants, fashion trends, and, what some consider, need-to-have items. However, it is easy to find solutions for less expensive alternatives.

A trend among students is buying unessential items as soon as they get paid.

The first step to saving is to create a budget detailing what expenses are essential and which are not. A productive way to go about this is to make a list. Take a piece of paper and divide it in half, title one column “Need” and the other “Want.” After, make a list of expenses that are absolutely needed such as groceries, toiletry items, tuition, bills, school supplies, etc. Next to each item, add approximately how much each item costs.

The next item to start on is the “Wants” list.

Add all of the items that are not necessary,

but desired, and think wisely about these list items and ponder whether or not they are worthwhile. After consideration, put down the wanted items and approximate how much each item is. It is easier now to deliberate between what to use the money on, responsibly. If there does happen to be money left over, add it to a savings account.

Another helpful way to reduce spending is to avoid impractical purchases.

It might be therapeutic for students to splurge every now and then, but one should avoid doing it.

Avoiding impractical purchases starts with small steps. Student can begin with going out to eat less, limiting this by picking a consistent day every week to go out.

Consider budgeting money to set aside for these outings as well.

Budgeting is an essential part of money management. There are various ways to save money and not spend on unnecessary expenses. An example of a productive budgeting system is the 50-30-20 budget.

This budget consists of spending 50 percent of income on needs, 30 percent on wants, and 20 percent on savings or debt. This is helpful for those who want to be flexible in their spending habits without breaching financial goals. If this seems like an unattainable budget plan, students should try to narrow down the number and save 10 to 15 percent of money received automatically from each paycheck. This can help ensure that there is at least some money in one’s savings account.

While budgeting is important, one of the most important parts of money management is proper financial education.

Most millennials suffer from a lack of financial management know ledge.

Graphic by Sabrina Evans This includes understanding concepts such as interest rates, credit score, and investments.

Luckily, these concepts are not as scary or complicated as they seem.

Regarding credit scores, it is best to use them wisely. Improving credit scores starts with making smart financial moves that can help build good credit, which include

having the minimum amount of credit cards, paying bills on time, and paying attention to the risk factors when checking a credit score.

If students do not have credit, they should know it is never too late to start building credit and can be imperative for the future.

However, attaining a credit card is not the only move students can make; making car payments and other bills is something students can do to build a credit score.

Interest rates indicate the price at which money can be borrowed. When money is borrowed, and the interest rate is 5 percent a year, it will cost 5 percent of the amount borrowed to do so. This will need to be paid as well as the money borrowed. Though this sounds easy, interest can get confusing.

Students should also be wary of anything that has zero percent interest as that is a floating interest.

Investing is committing money to increase income. The goal of investing is to place money on a company in hopes of growing money over time. Investing prioritizes financial success of the future over present desires. There are many different types of investments that can be beneficial for the future. These include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds.

Overall, proper money management requires a lot of preparation, research, and self-control. It is not easy to maintain self control when it comes to finances, especially as a college student. In the end, money is not the most important thing in life, but is necessary for living a functioning lifestyle.

12 ENTERTAINMENT

EDITOR: ELIZABETH ARREDONDO | @STMURATTLERNEWS | FEB.13, 2019

Naturally Inspired art exhibit features local award-winning artists ELIZABETH ARREDONDO ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

St. Mary’s Department of Art presents “Naturally Inspired,” an art exhibit featuring artwork

by Lyn Belisle, Sabra Booth, Tim McMeans and Jesus Toro Martinez.

Chair of the art

department, Brian St. John, invited these award-winning artists to present their perception of nature for this exhibit on display on the second floor of the Louis J. Blume Library.

Lyn Belise is an award-winning artist, teacher, designer and writer.

“I practice art,” she said. “Doctors practice medicine, attorneys practice law and I practice art.”

She is the recipient of many honors and awards including the Arts and Letters Award; Trinity Prize for

Excellence in Teaching; North East Overall Teacher of the Year; and she was selected as one of nine educators for a pilot technology program with Texas A&M.

“The practice of art means looking at the world through thoughtful, curious eyes finding joy in colors and patterns, musing on the textures of a dried leaf of the surface of a stream,” Belise said.

Sabra Booth is a master printmaker and mixed media artist.

“I’m inspired by nature, world cultures and humankind’s impact on nature,” Booth said. She was granted the Brooklyn Arts Council Artist’s Grant, Art Pace: San Antonio Travel Grant and a Fellowship Grant in Austin, Texas.

“As an artist, each work of art you do is like your child,” she said. “They each bring up memories of different places and different times in my life cause, in a way, it’s almost like a retrospective cause this show spans over a decade of my work.”

Her arts are very Texas-based as a San Antonio local.

“I hope students across the St. Mary’s campus will come and look at all the wonderful artist’s in the show and really think about the messages relative to each artist work.”

Jesus Toro Martinez is an expressionist painter. He is a native Texan who works

out of his studio at Lone Star Art Space, an incubation space for visual artists.

Patches of “thick grasses” and “blooming flowers” inspire his paintings as they “meld the process of vigorous pain application in impasto” and “the use of rich earthy colors of umber, ocher, black and white punctuated with intense primary and secondary colors.” He has participated in art exhibits that were featured at the Blue Star Contemporary Arts Museum, The Museum of Modern Art and MexicArte Museum.

Tim McMeans is another San Antonio native, receiving his bachelor’s degree from University of Texas in San Antonio. His work has appeared nationally and internationally in more than 25 group exhibitions and 11 solo shows.

McMeans’ favorite piece was inspired by a chance encounter with a coyote.

“I came across that coyote in the middle of the road on a drive through West Texas,” McMeans said. “I have always had a deep love of nature and animals in particular.”

Throughout McMeans’ work, animals play a special role.

“The animals that are represented in my work are there because, in some way, they have enriched my life or held a very personal meaning to me,” he said. “As subject matter, the animals serve a symbolic purpose to the

message that I also take beauty and H i s

I wish to convey, however, great care to represent the spirit of each animal.” real-life experiences, travels, and people in his life

inspire him.

S o m e honors he has been a w a r d e d include the ECISD Teacher of the Year Award, the Weiss Vocelka Award and Charles E. and Nancy Cheever Donor award. He hopes students make their own personal connection with his pieces in the exhibit.

Renee Padilla, sophomore communications major, visited the exhibit and said that the piece that stood out to her was the bird pictures. “[It took] something so small and make them look so large and full of life, especially with the burned paper,” she said. “ T h e swirls and the sky have a very natural feel.”

T h i s exhibit will run until Friday, March 1 in the Blume Library.

Graphics and photos by Elizabeth Arredondo

Events to attend on Valentine’s Day in San Antonio for a reasonable price KARINA CHARO PHOTO EDITOR

As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, many students may find themselves wondering where to take their significant other, a group of friends, or even themselves for a special day. Many may think to have a good time, they need to spend a significant amount of money. However, there are various events to attend that are reasonably priced and fun; here are some fun and local ideas great for anyone on a budget.

There is always the option of a classic movie date. To adjust to a smaller budget, though, catch a matinee showing for an alternative option. For those wanting to watch a romantic comedy with a significant other or to watch a fun movie with friends, “Isn’t It Romantic” comes out Feb.13. For those who are fans of horror movies, “Happy Death Day 2U” also comes out Feb.13th.

The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo

is a great place for anyone to get in touch with Texas roots. A San Antonio tradition, the rodeo is a great place for those young and old. With free college nights, the rodeo is perfect to attend to enjoy good fair food, fun rides, and cool and different kinds of entertainment. The rodeo runs until Feb. 24, and there are a wide array of entertainers,

like Brad Paisley and Lady Antebellum.

Make sure to plan ahead and buy tickets soon, though, as some days are more expensive than others.

For an Instagram photo shoot and a way to take in some culture, visit an art museum like The McNay or Artpace. The McNay

offers free general admission for those 19 and under and on Thursdays from 4-9.

They also offer a college discount with the presentation of a student ID card. Artpace is an art gallery that is free and open to the public. For a complete evening or daytime date, try some of the surrounding restaurants as there is a variety of options

Park, and Jack White Park Trailhead, that provide lovely scenery for anyone wanting a quiet walk, whether it be with a date or by themselves. A date like this is free and perfect for those who love to exercise.

For anyone wanting to have a bit of friendly competition, bowling at a local bowling alley is always a great and low-cost option. There are many bowling alleys around San Antonio including Bowlero on 13307 San Pedro Ave., University Bowl on 12332 I-10 #10, and Bandera Bowling Center on 6700 Huebner Rd. Students can go as a romantic date or as a group and turn the event into Photos courtesy of Wikimedia a tournament.

Having a nice Valentine’s day does not have to break the covering anyone’s price range.

For those who are nature lovers, the bank. San Antonio offers many different Botanical Gardens are perfect for a stroll options that guarantee a great time. Whether with a significant other or for some peaceful you are celebrating romance or taking the alone time. There are also many other day for self-care, there are plenty of lowhiking trails around San Antonio, such as cost options that are sure to make anyone Leon Vista Trailhead, Friedrich Wilderness feel special.

FEB. 13, 2019 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

ENTERTAINMENT 13

Graphic by Cody Rivera

Indie band visits Paper Tiger in San Antonio in last stops on country-wide tour SABRINA EVANS LIFESTYLE EDITOR

The Paper Tiger is a local hot spot in San Antonio that features indie artists and introduces students to new music. On Feb. 9, the Paper Tiger hosted the indie rock band Campdogzz along with their tour partners, Summer Cannibals and Cursive.

Campdogzz is a band originally from Chicago which creates spirited songs, great for a variety of audiences. During the band’s performance, they had audience members singing along and swaying during the set. Kicking off their set with the single from their newest album, “Souvenirs” they showcased some of their popular songs such

as, “The Well” and “Healer.” Both songs possess a harmonious tune audiences all across the country enjoy. The band featured strong, redolent vocals and melodies from lead singer, guitarist, and keyboardist, Jess Price. She produced fanciful tunes for the audience with the help of Mike Russell, guitarist and backup vocalist, Nick Nederle, guitarist, Mahmoud Haygood, bassist, and Matt Evert, drummer. Russell and Nederle helped enhance the tune of each song throughout the performance with their smooth riffs and effortless sound. Evert kept the rhythm smooth with his nicely timed drumming. Haygood created a consistent pulse of the music had the audience in a constant state of head-bobbing.

The band has a unique style inspired by

many different people and places in their lives. The band shared with the Rattler they also draw inspiration from a variety of artists including Will Oldham, Jess and Matt, Robin Williams – the pianist –, Helen Frankenthaler, and Matt Lemke. All of these artists along with each band member’s creativity and music taste came together to form what is now Campdogzz.

Campdogzz has been on tour for a while and it is, unfortunately, coming to an end.

However, the band is grateful for all of their experiences, both good and bad. They encountered some bad moments including getting held up by border patrol, getting sick, and having tire blowouts, however, these moments end up being insignificant since the good moments – like riding

around listening to CDs, eating dumplings in Bellingham, and playing for crowds big and small – have outweighed the not so exciting ones. The band has thoroughly enjoyed their time together and appreciates the opportunity to travel across the U.S. and do what they love with friends. The band’s great chemistry with one another helped the audience feel comfortable while listening to them. This helped the band give an impressive performance that created a connection with the audience making the concert enjoyable for attendees.

Campdogzz plans to keep writing, playing, and – hopefully – touring.

Campdogzz advises all young artists the key to success in the music industry is to “trust yourself ” and “be gracious.”

Photos by Cody Rivera and Isabela Vazquez

14 SPORTS

EDITOR:TAWNY DAVIS |@STMURATTLERNEWS | FEB. 13, 2019

Rattler baseball and softball chosen to finish top five overall EVA GARCIA STAFF WRITER

St. Mary’s softball and baseball teams have been selected to win titles for the 2019 Heartland Conference. The softball team has been predicted to win the conference while the baseball team has been nominated to finish third. In addition, four studentathletes from the softball and baseball teams have been recognized with the preseason all-Heartland team. Selected from the softball team were Taylor Germain, junior accounting and data analytics major, and Staci Johns, junior English language arts and reading major. Selected from the baseball team were Zach de la Garza, junior finance and risk management major, and Donnie Perez, a graduate student majoring in public administration.

“Being picked first to win the Heartland Conference is a great honor and it shows that people are noticing what we are capable of,” said Germain. “If we continue to work hard and work together, we will be successful.”

Although the recognition was an honor to receive, Germain believes it will not directly impact the season.

“Everyone already knows we are a good team, even without the ranking,” she added. “Every team works hard to get better and win.”

Germain asserts that, in softball, everyone on the team has an important role to play.

“My role is to get others to find their ways to be successful also. However, softball is a team sport, meaning that I don’t always have to be successful, we have each other to rely on,” said Germain.

Similar to Germain, Staci Johns felt honored to be picked to win first in

Photos by Cody Rivera and Karina Charo

the conference.

“There are a lot of consistently good teams in our conference, so being named number one is a great feeling,” said Johns.

“Our hope is to do our best and live up to the preseason expectations.”

Johns affirms that a valuable part of the team’s success comes from the unwavering support from her teammates.

“I wouldn’t be nearly as successful on the mound without their support, so I hope to have their back the way they constantly have mine this season,” added Johns.

Baseball player, Zach de la Garza, shared the team was not too happy about being picked to finish third. Despite the prediction, they are staying positive and avoiding assumptions other people have of them.

“None of that is relevant because all that matters is what those rankings are at the end of the season, so it’s just another factor that is going motivate us throughout the season more than we already are,” said de la Garza.

He asserted his confidence that during a game he can be a reliable part of the team.

“When I’m out on the field, I will do everything I can to put us in the best position to win a game, and knowing the amount of talent we have on the team. I know I can rely on them as well,” he added.

Teammate, Donnie Perez, agreed with de la Garza with how the preseason rankings will motivate them to strive for the best.

“Being picked third is not where we want to be, but it provides us extra motivation to want to finish first,” said Perez. “We will use it as motivation, we were picked third before last season and ended up winning the conference, so we know the [preseason] rankings mean nothing.”

Senior tennis athletes look forward to finishing final season TAWNY DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

With the tennis season well under way, St. Mary’s seniors are aiming to finish on top. While it might seem like any other tennis season for some, for seniors Rani Goodland and Jose Antelo, it will be one to remember, because it is their last.

Rani Goodland, senior marketing major, is playing her second and last season this year here at St. Mary’s. In her previous season, Goodland went 9-6 overall in her singles matches, leading her to be ranked fourth in the Heartland Conference. For her doubles match, Goodland went 11-4 in dual play and 3-0 in conference which led her to be ranked second.

Her senior season, however, she looks forward to making an impact.

“I hope I get to go far in the conference and in the season, to hopefully be ranked in the top five overall in both doubles and singles,” said Goodland.

In her senior season, Goodland is looking forward to a couple of matches. “I have two matches that I am looking forward to this season: St. Edward’s and Midwestern,” she said. “St. Edward’s is our rival with the battle of the Saints and Midwestern

is our regional rival; both matches will be fun to play and, hopefully, we win.”

Even though this is Goodland’s last season, she looks forward to what will happen after graduation.

“ I will be doing an [Optional Practical Training] visa, which will allow me to work for one year with a sponsorship from a company,” she said. “I plan to work for Wyndham Resorts.”

This same positive attitude goes for Jose Antelo, a senior industrial engineering major. Antelo finished last year 12-6 in dual singles play and 2-0 in conference singles, won 12 matches and

Graphic by Tawny Davis

ranked third, and finished his season 5-3 in his last eight matches, officially ending in 11-7 in dual play. His plans for this

season are pretty straightforward.

“I want to finish this season on top and go to play in the nationals’ tournament,” said Antelo His personal goals for his final season are quite simple.

“I would just like to have fun in the court and enjoy my last year of college tennis,” he stated.

Like Goodland, Antelo is looking forward to playing the battle of the Saints match.

“I always look forward to our match against St. Edward’s because it’s always intense,” he said.

Overall, both players look forward to an amazing season this year. As seniors, they look forward to setting an example for their teammates, both current and future, to leave behind a legacy at their alma mater. They want to bring home something to be proud of and they believe that they will go to the championship and succeed. Both of them have their sights set on their team goals and individual goals and both feel strongly that they will achieve them.

SPORTS 15

FEB. 13, 2019 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

Senior soccer star officially signs to play professionally AINARA MORA STAFF WRITER

Last month, St. Mary’s soccer player, Pato Botello Faz signed with Lansing Ignite, a professional soccer team in Lansing, Michigan. Faz, senior exercise and sports science major, becomes the first St. Mary’s athlete this year to be signed professionally.

Faz feels a sense of accomplishment for the signing as it has been a dream for a long time. “It feels great to finally sign a professional contract, it has been a dream I’ve had since I was a kid,” he said. “The first contract is usually the hardest to get so I am very excited to start and see where soccer takes me.”

Men’s soccer coach, Johnny Clifford expressed how Faz is the prime example of a student athlete and how proud he is of the accomplishment.

“Pato has gone through incredible changes over the last few years and really turned himself into an example of what a student athlete should be,” he said. “He has had success on and off the field and it’s all down to his hard work and his determination to be successful. It’s every young soccer players dream to become a professional and, now, that is happening for him. We are all very proud and excited for his journey.”

Faz expressed his gratitude for the signing, attributing this opportunity to all the people who have supported him.

“This means a lot to my family as well because I would not have been able to sign if it was not for them,” he said. “They have sacrificed so many things throughout the

Graphic by Victoria Valle

Dylan Isenhower goes up for a layup against Ark. Folk Smith.| Photo courtesy of rattlerathletics.com

years and seeing me now finally achieving my dream means a lot to them.”

Not only is he thankful to his parents but as well as his teammates, coaches, professors and the athletic directors.

“I also would really like to thank my coaches and my teammates for helping me get here. Also, Dr. Bogges and all my professors for supporting me and willing to work with me. Jasmine Ellis [as well] for helping me throughout this process, and of course the athletic director, Rob.” According to Faz, getting signed is the highlight of his life and a reminder of all the hard work paying off.

“All those long nights and practices are finally being shown and being paid off,” he said.

Although leaving St. Mary’s is thrilling, it is also sad for Faz as he has to end the semester a little early to leave for Lansing.

“I definitely feel a little sad leaving St. Mary’s this early in the semester because I am going to miss [events] like baby bake, oyster bake, and walking on stage [for] graduation with my friends,” he said. “However, I am very excited to go to Lansing and start doing what I love the most.”

Faz will be leaving St. Mary’s with a few accomplishments under his belt. He has a D2 CCA All-American, two time D2 CCA AllRegion, United Soccer Coaches All-Region, Heartland Conference Player and Offensive Player of the Year, two time All-Heartland Conference First Team, two time Heartland Conference Offensive Player of the Week, Preseason All-Heartland Conference and All-Heartland Conference Second Team.

Markques Houston goes up for a jumpshot against opponent.| Photo courtesy of rattlerathletics.com

Men’s basketball aims high and breaks four game losing streak JULISSA CANTU COPY EDITOR

The St. Mary’s men’s basketball team broke a four game losing streak at their game on Jan. 26 against the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith in a close game. While the Heartland Conference only hosts a total of nine universities, the Rattlers have recently played some tough games against the other universities in the conference.

The game was decided by half time, as were their previous games, and while they came out on top, the team knew they had something to prove.

Matej Gaspert, junior exercise and sports science major, explains there was a lot of pressure felt across

the team riding on the game against Fort Smith.

“We were going into the game after a tough loss,” Gaspert explained. “[T]he game was kind of a test.”

Gaspert contributed 12 points to the overall 76 winning score, while Caleb Jordan, freshman exercise and sports science major, and Skyler Brooks, senior exercise and sports science major, scored 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Though, Jordan and Gaspert asserted the entirety of victory of the game was a team effort.

“We knew that we had to get started somewhere and why not that day? We were hyped up because we had just lost two overtime games in the span of a week so we

had to buckle down and get a win for the team and the community,” explained Jordan.

“We managed to recover from the loss, we stayed together as a team,” Gaspert elaborated.

Previously, the men’s team had went up against Newman University, Rogers State University, Lubbock Christian University, and Oklahoma Christian University, suffering only minor losses in the two former games while being down by more than 10 points in the latter. In the face of those losses in the month of January, it seemed difficult for the team to bounce back.

Fort Smith was expected to take a vast win against St. Mary’s, according to the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith athletics website. They counted on the Rattler’s losing

streak to persist and, instead, received the full force of the St. Mary’s men’s team who were more than prepared for a win.

All it took was one night, a home game with St. Mary’s students filling the stands in support of their athletes. Gaspert describes the event as lucky but, in reality, the win can be attributed to the hard effort and long practices of the team members. “[W]e fought hard. It was a big win for us,” said Gaspert.

The season is coming to a close soon with the conference championship approaching in March. Until then, the men will face off against Newman University on Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bill Greehey Arena.

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EDITOR: ISABELA VAZQUEZ | @STMURATTLERNEWS | FEB. 13, 2019

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ISABELA VAZQUEZ MANAGING EDITOR