Vol. 100, No. 9 - 10/17/2012

Ten

COSTUME PG. Concepts Vol. 100 Issue 9 w

October 17, 2012

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St. Mar y’s University Publication Since 1925

hauntings in the hallways Amanda Cano

MANAGING EDITOR

With Halloween approaching, a tendency to be easily frightened can sneak up on people. Completely natural things, like the sound of a door creaking or the wind knocking something over, can be magnified into a paranormal experience and linger in people’s minds for days.

According to the University website, ground for the campus was broken Sept. 1894. With such an old campus, it is natural for ghost stories to surface. While there are some skeptics, others strongly believe in the supernatural world.

Joe Lucio, library services supervisor of the Blume Library and Cotrell Commons, has had many

supernatural occurrences while working here.

“I personally think only certain individuals are exposed to these types of experiences,” Lucio said.

When closing, Lucio walks the library floors after turning off the lights. One night, strange shadows caught his eye.

“I thought they were students but I didn’t see anyone. My hair stood up,” Lucio said.

He also explained that there are times when he pushes the chairs in and later finds them pulled out.

“I think it was the brothers from the cemetery,” Lucio joked.

Lucio has become used to these unusual experiences and just goes on with his day.

Visiting Lecturer of Art James Joffe began teaching on campus in 2002, and claims he has witnessed strange occurrences throughout the Charles Francis building. It is rumored the design art studio may have once been a chapel for the brothers and at one point, was a dormitory before it was remodeled into classrooms and offices in 2000.

“I, and another faculty member, have experienced the sensation, or feeling, of someone walking past our doorways when no one else is in the building,” Joffe said.

Joffe’s office is located on the top floor of the building. Late one night, he was in a rush to not get locked into the faculty parking lot. see HAUNTINGS page 9

Skaters shred through University grounds Sara LaToul

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A growing unofficial subculture has begun to make its way to the forefront of fitness-based recreation on campus. Skaters of all board type and size get to class in almost half the time with double the fun.

The skateboarder population has risen with the arrival of freshmen this semester.

“As a commuter who’s not naturally social, I think it’s cool that skating on my long board helps pass time between classes while also serving as a great ice-breaker,” freshemen biology major, Steven Ridgway said.

For skateboarders, a long board and a skateboard are entirely different. A long board is a longer

variant of the common skateboard and tends to be flat, while the classic skateboard has curvy geometry to better serve for tricks. The complex differences vary depending on the board model, which are engineered to better suit their intended uses

such as carving and downhill racing.

Also commonly ridden on campus are the lightweight and easy to cary “cruisers.” They are bit smaller than a typical skateboard and are usually made of sturdy plastic. see BOARDS page 11

Student skateboarders take a break from riding on the bridge next to Dougherty Hall. Photo by Sara LaToul

‘LAS AMERICAS’ w PAGE 10

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‘HAMLET’ w PAGE 12

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Juniors Pablo Muniz and Claire Etter do a double take in the University Center. Photo by Felix Arroyo

Increasing awareness Janet Frias

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Alpha Sigma Tau chapter at St. Mary’s is currently hosting Breast Cancer Awareness Week, a topic that hits close for one University professor, who notes that minority women are significantly more likely to die from the disease than Anglo women.

Breast Cancer Awareness Week began with a “Pink Out” mass Sunday evening, and will conclude Friday as Alpha Sigma Tau sends out prayers from the Quad.

They will also be collecting donations for a local breast cancer research center at

RATTLER MADNESS w PAGE 15

>>

their “Pretty in Pink” party tomorrow.

According to sophomore Eng lish-communication arts major Analissa Cantu, one of the event organizers, the chapter chose to support breast cancer awareness because it is a cause that most women seem to think that they don’t have to worry about until they are over the age of 40.

“Women don’t realize that breast cancer can hit at any age, and chances are many people here on campus either know someone who has or is battling breast cancer,” Cantu said. see AWARENESS page 4

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News in Brief Slither into the network

Students in science, engineering and technology can connect with local, regional and national recruiters in UC-A, Thursday at 6 p.m. through Ready S.E.T. Connect.

Snake and bake at Baketoberfest

Bud Light and the St. Mary’s Alumni Association are hosting Baketoberfest starting at noon on Saturday. Proceeds fund student scholarships and University and alumni programs. Enjoy music from Roger Creager, Jonathan Tyler, Northern Lights, Jack Ingram and Texas Tornados.

Treat yourself to a scream or two

Join the Residence Hall Association in celebrating Halloween with Boo Bash on Oct. 24, from 6-9 p.m. Residence Hall will be decorated as haunted houses for the community children who will be trick-or-treating on campus.

When the world bites the dust

Join the President’s Peace Commission on Oct. 30 between 9:45 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. to discuss the philisophical implications of end times. The first discourse revolves around the implications of the Mayan calendar.

Snakes, solute hisstory

The community is invited to the dedication of the Cotrell Learning Commons on Friday, Oct. 26 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The dedication ceremony honors President Emeritus Charles E. Cotrell.

Police Blotter 9.24.12

Student in Founders possessed multiple knives; DOD contacted and knives confiscated; referred to Judicial Affairs.

9.27.12

Non-student riding motorcycle in courtyard outside Flores Hall; argued with officers; county citation and Criminal Trespass Warning issued; escorted off campus.

9.28.12

Employee arguing with spouse and pounding on roof of vehicle in Lot V; Parties separated; Aramark administration notified.

10.03.12

Student attempted to drag student boyfriend through window at Chaminade Hall; Student slammed window down on girlfriend’s finger causing injury; DOD contacted; StMU Citations and No Contact orders issued to both students; Referred to Judicial Affairs.

Can’t get enough of these? For a full list of the blotter, visit the News section at:

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Contact Us The Rattler St. Mary’s University One Camino Santa Maria Box 83 San Antonio, TX 78228 Office: (210) 436-3401 Visit Us: University Center Room 258 Email: rattlernews@gmail.com Website: www.stmurattlernews.com

Alicia Kozameh (left) and Carmen Tafolla (right) were gifted Brother Cletus’ paintings by Gwendolyn Diaz (center) during the Las Americas Letters event on Oct. 11. Photo by Emily Artalejo

University hosts latino literary activists Azhmir Acosta STAFF WRITER

The University recently welcomed authors Carmen Tafolla, Alicia Kozameh and Paula Varsavsky to share how they have addressed human rights issues in their own writing at the 13th annual Las Americas Letters conference.

Attendees participated in writing workshops and panel presentations with the authors and were welcomed to listen to readings the authors gave from their own works. “(Literature) brings humanity back.

It’s easy to hide ourselves…but it’s hard to ignore human voice,” San Antonio Poet Laureate Carmen Tafolla said.

This is only the third year of the Las Americas Letters program. The program was initially called Las Latinas Letters, but expanded the program to include not just U.S. born Latino writers, but include writers from all over Latin America.

“What interests me most is that the Latino community can be included and be exposed to themes that might be unknown to them such as political situations in Latin American countries which are sometimes not addressed by the United States,” Tafolla said.

“So many times we think that human right abuses are things that happen to

other people in other places and I just thought that it was important to bring to our campus, a broad array of ways that our human rights can be chipped away on a daily basis,” Gwendolyn Diaz, conference director and professor of English, said.

On Oct. 11, Tafolla discussed the importance of the sanctity of human life and the power that literature has for human rights as well as the importance of multicultural education “If we don’t receive an education, it’s hard to realize our potential. And we’re born with such gifts that are needed in our world. A multicultural education teaches people to respect who they are,” Tafolla said. “People have to learn to respect differences because there’s no such thing as a society where everybody is the same.”

For Argentinian novelist and former political prisoner Alicia Kozameh, the conference was an opportunity to share the importance of human rights with the Latino community of San Antonio.

“We advocate for human rights because there is injustice, because there is a lack of respect for human rights throughout the world,” Kozameh said.

“Otherwise, the theme wouldn’t exist.

The theme exists because of the absence of justice. We must demand what we don’t have.”

Argentinian author Paula Varsavsky participated in the conference to help students grow with their writing.

“It’s like that old phrase, talk to me about your town and you’ll talk to me about the world,” Varsavsky said. “There is a universal idea of human rights, but each single story of human rights opens the eyes of the students.”

Sophomore English-communication arts and psychology major Sammantha Rodriguez attended the readings on Oct. 12 and learned the importance of self-expression in writing.

“Writing is not just to state the facts, but to state your feelings because in the end, when you leave this world, your literature is what you’re going to leave behind,” Rodriguez said. “We can be an influence for the future.”

Fast Facts About Authors o Carmen Tafolla: renowned

internationally; recently named Poet Laureate of San Antonio. o Alicia Kozameh: detained as a political prisoner in Argentine, 1978. o Paula Varsavsky: critics coined her novel “No One Said a Word” the “Argentinian Catcher in the Rye.” Source: carmentafolla.com and wingpress.com

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Software benefits student performance Roni Vowels

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A new software program in St. Mary’s classrooms appears to be improving student learning, making better use of professors’ time, evening out variation in students’ performance and giving foreign students new chances to succeed.

The software, Camtasia Relay, captures classroom audio, video or both as recorded on an instructor’s personal computer, enabling students to replay moments in class they may have missed or not understood.

Teresa Van Hoy, associate professor of history, uses Camtasia Relay on her iPhone to record her lectures.

“Absent students can catch what they’ve missed.

Students can hear their own performances. Online summer students can hear tutorials offered ‘live,’” she said. “(The students) feel less pressure to take notes, especially on final paper writing tutorials, because they know they can go back and hear again any part they missed.”

Through an Alkek Foundation grant, the Bill Greehey School of Business acquired Camtasia Relay.

After downloading the software, users can record lectures, presentations, step-by-step processes or other items. Once recorded, the software automatically sends the recording to the iTunes U course page, which students can access any time through Blackboard.

After its implementation in May 2011, Camtasia Relay had a one-year trial in the business school.

It is now used to accomplish a variety of course goals, such as fostering a greater understanding and coherent application of course concepts through recorded lectures, as well as encouraging more class discussion.

This allows increased understanding and focus on course concepts during class time, according to Jeff Schomburg, director of the Center for Instructional Technology.

Arturo Vega, associate professor of political science, said he uses Camtasia Relay in his graduate research course as a supplement to the lectures and instruction to SPSS, a social science research software. Using Camtasia, he records step-by-step tutorials on SPSS and then posts them for his students to refer to outside of class.

“I can understand what we are actually doing in the assignments, ” Elizabeth Rodriguez, one of Vega’s graduate students, said.

Besides enabling a greater understanding of the course material, Rodriguez said using the tool has motivated her and her classmates to engage more in class discussion.

BURNING

QUESTION Is there a fallout shelter in Garni Hall in use today?

Graduate student Carlos Quesada reviews class material recorded using Camtasia Relay. Photo illustration by Felix Aroyo

“This tool has made me feel more confident because I have a way to see if I’m on the right track or not. If I wasn’t grasping a concept and the professor’s instruction did not help, I would be able to reference where I lost understanding,” graduate student Aaron Perez said. “This tool helps me to be able to understand and then, in turn, explain it to other classmates.”

Patricia Britton, adjunct professor of accounting, said she uses Camtasia Relay to demonstrate lengthy accounting processes carried out using Excel, such as building income statements, balance sheets and pages showing owners’ assets, liability and equity.

Britton said she’s observed an increase in student progress on a particular project, most of which she attributes to use of the software.

“When I first assigned the project, in which students set up and complete an entire accounting cycle in Excel, only 30 to 40 percent of the students were able to complete every sheet,” Britton said.

After Britton implemented Camtasia, project completion and quality increased.

“Ninety percent of the students were able to complete and link all of the spreadsheets and most of the students derived the correct net income. Three of the 17 students had a perfect project with every cell properly referenced.”

The tool has been especially important for students who were struggling with assignments, Britton said, specifically for international students who combat with the language as well as the material. Such students were able to take as much time outside of class as they needed to decipher the language while reviewing the material Download the St. Mary’s app through iTunes or browse iTunes U for lectures presented by St. Mary’s faculty as well as other universities’ lectures.

“Garni Hall was built in the 1950s and is constructed of concrete. During the Cold War, some basements on the campus were identified as fallout shelters and marked as such, as was the common practice at the time. They no longer would be used in that way, and there is no general access to the Garni basement area. Since the sign serves no purpose, it will be removed to prevent confusion, as will any other similar signs remaining on campus.”

Gina Farrell Director of Media Relations

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Graphic by Adriana Avila

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AWARENESS Within five years of diagnosis, minority women are nearly three times more likely to die of breast cancer than white women, according to associate professor of history Teresa Van Hoy. Forty percent of minority women diagnosed with the disease do not survive to the fifth year after detection, compared to 15 percent of Anglo women, according to Van Hoy. The difference in survival depends on who can afford and access early detection—a disparity that is addressed under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.

“Only in the military do women of color (have) the same excellent survival rate as Anglo women,” Van Hoy said. “That’s because of the excellent medical care and early and regular screening that they have in the military. So somehow we are failing our civilian women, and they are dying at a much higher rate.”

The disparity is evident every day to

www.stmurattlernews.com Francisco Garcia of American Medical Response, who transports patients to local hospitals.

“We transport more white women with breast cancer than we do Hispanic women, and we rarely transport women of color,” Garcia said. “I think that Hispanic women are more reluctant to seek treatment for fear of the costs, because most don’t have health insurance.”

The breast cancer mortality rate is higher for minority women, Van Hoy said, because of a lack of health promotion and awareness in their communities, opportunities to acquire health insurance and time and resources to get mammogram screenings.

“Early detection saves lives. It’s so much cheaper for patients, for the community and for the insurance companies to pay for the screenings than for the cut, burn and poison (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy),” she said.

In addition, the survival rate of a breast cancer patient can go up to 93 percent if cancer is detected early enough, according to

the American Cancer Society.

Van Hoy said Americans must assure that race is not correlated with breast cancer mortality, and not so badly split between women of privilege and women in poverty.

Americans must also take steps to encourage working class people to get regular checkups.

Another obstacle to breast cancer prevention for women, Van Hoy said, is simply business. Many women cannot afford to miss work to go get checked. Doing it on their own time also presents a problem, because many women with children often don’t have childcare. Van Hoy suggested daycare at the doctor’s office and paid timeoff for female workers to get annual checkups as possible solutions. She also suggested that businesses declare a “National Get-aMammogram Day.” “When ill health no longer correlates highly with poverty or race, then maybe we’re done,” she said.

Van Hoy was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 in February 2002, and is a proud survivor.

Residence hall Wi-Fi update According to Louisa Martin, education technology research manager and planner for St. Mary’s Information Technology Services, and James Villarreal, director of residence life, the University tested a new wi-fi provider which could potentially be implemented in residence halls.

Villarreal indicated that Residence Life has wanted to add Wi-Fi to rooms in residence halls for a long time, but budget restraints have prevented the measure.

Visit stmurattlernews.com for the full article.

Compiled by Alex Eakins

WearRingStMaryAd_Oct2012_Layout 1 9/24/12 11:46 AM Page 1

Athletic complex progresses Catharine Trevino and Alex Eakins STAFF WRITER AND NEWS EDITOR

Sports facilities construction continues with second phase of the master plan, according to Aaron Hanna, director of outdoor athletics complex planning.

Phase one finished in 2001 with the construction of the Alumni Athletics and Convocation Center.

“The new Sports Complex will provide ...renovations to the baseball field and construction of new baseball facilities, additional tennis courts, two soccer fields and two softball fields,” Hanna said.

Softball player Nicole Sardelich, a sophomore exercise and sport science major, looks forward to completion of the sports complex.

“It will look like what a college level field is supposed to look like,” Sardelich said.

“Ever since they recruited me, I have been excited to play in the sports complex.”

Basketball player Moses Sundufu, a senior exercise and sport science major, projected an attendance increase.

“It will be good for our athletes because a lot more people will attend the games.

It will bring the teams more supporters,” Sundufu said.

Although the sports facilities are primarily for University use, Hanna affirmed that upgrades should attract even more NCAA Division II championships and tournaments, showcasing the University, the community and Bexar County.

“St. Mary’s is contributing $9.5 million, with an additional $6 million grant from Bexar County’s Community Venues Program,” Hanna said. “We will also continue to make the fields available to high schools and other organized athletic teams.”

Intramurals coordinator Leah Bowen noted that flag football and slow pitch softball were affected this semester, but only outdoor soccer will be affected next semester.

“They will be played as soon as the outdoor sports complex is complete.”

Bowen said. “We will have an intramural field designated to us, plus we will have the option of having a lighted field so we can get more games in during the evening hours.”

Hanna indicated that the community would be invited to the opening ceremony that is scheduled to take place in 2014.

Wear the Ring: It’s our habit.

Explore the life of a Marianist brother|priest|sister

The Society of Mary (Marianist brothers and priests) and the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Marianist sisters) are international Catholic religious orders founded in France in the early 1800s. They are dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and find inspiration in her way of bringing Jesus to the world and following Him. From the time of their profession of perpetual vows, Marianist brothers, priests and sisters wear a ring as a mark of their lifelong commitment.

For more information, contact Brother Tom Wendorf at twendorf@sm-usa.org or 314.533.1207 or visit www.marianist.com/vocations

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Running through the veins of campus...

ink-tober

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October is national Breast Cancer Awareness month. Find out ways you can participate and contribute both on campus and around San Antonio.

Compiled by Adriana Avila

Sororities promote Breast Cancer awareness

Remaining Events Information/Fundraiser Table Thu., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

University Center Atrium

Pretty in Pink Party

Thu., 6 p.m.

Outdoor Amphitheater Alpha Sigma Tau sisters (From left to right: sophomores Analissa Cantu, Amalia Gonzalez, Tania Pena and senior Julia Samaniego) promote Breast Cancer Awareness. Photo by Vivian Rodriguez

ONE

OUT OF

WOMEN IN THE U.S.

will develop

Quad Prayer

Fri., 11:10 a.m.

Quad

8

BREAST cancer One of every 100 breast cancer cases occur in a man.

The likelihood of developing breast cancer increases with age.

Beta Sigma Phi sorority is selling T-shirts (above) for $10. Orders will be placed Friday, Oct. 19. Contact Beta Sigma Phi for more information. Photo courtesy of Beta Sigma Phi sorority

SGA Pub Night Thu., 9 p.m.

St. Mary’s Cafeteria

Student Government Association is hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness themed Pub Night. Wear Pink.

Graphic courtesy of Marianna Villarreal

Paint the Parkway Pink Sat., 8 a.m.

North Central Baptist Hospital

5K run/walk, 1-mile family walk and kids fun run.

Post-race health fair and awards ceremony.

Source: www.painttheparkwaypink.com

The best defense against breast cancer is to get frequent mammograms and clinical breast exams.

Pink Chihuahua Cocktail Through Oct. 31 Taigo’s Cabo Grille

Only 5 to10 percent of all breast cancer cases occur because of inherited mutations.

$1 of each ‘Pink Chihuahua’ drink purchased will be donated to Komen San Antonio affiliate through the end of October.

White women are more likely to get breast cancer than any other ethnic group, however African American women are more likey to die from it.

Source: www.komen.org

Source: www.tiagoscabogrille.com

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STAFF EDITORIAL

Holiday respect Math, tech, engineering weak for women As temperatures begin to drop, people are preparing for the most anticipated time of the year—the holiday season. Though on the surface, the season may seem harmless, the religious connotation of many of these holidays can cause complications.

With Halloween just around the corner, many are trying to think of cool costume ideas and planning parties, but it is important to remember that not everyone celebrates Halloween. It is essential to remain respectful of everyone, and be mindful that, because of religious or other reasons, people may not be comfortable joining in the Halloween fun.

Christmas may be more complicated, with the inherent religious connotation it comes with. While individuals who share a Christian conviction can be comfortable sharing in their faith, there are others who do not share these beliefs. Friends of the Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, agnostic or atheist beliefs all deserve equal respect and should be treated with upmost sensitivity.

Equally important to Christmas is Hanukkah, where followers of Judaism celebrate family and their heritage. Just after Christmas, Kwanza, an African American celebration of family, begins.

It is critical to take a moment to remember those who may perceive the holiday season in a different way. Tolerance and respect is key.

Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief Nick Canedo

News Editor Alex Eakins

Managing Editor Amanda Cano

Commentary Editor Briana Perez

Layout/Design Editor Carla Rodriguez

Features Editor Arturo Osteguin Jr.

Copy Editor Ashley Snipes

Entertainment Editor Stela Khury

Web Editor Juan Casas

Sports Editor Christina Faseler

Photo Editor Felix Arroyo

Advertising Manager Rachel Hernandez

Assistant Photo Editor Adriana Avila

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 Assosiated Press Stylebook and the Student Publication Policy.

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

Letters to the Editor Policy 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.

Professor of physics at Yale Un iversit y Meg Urry, LilIana Espinoza the first chairwoman of the department of physics at Yale, presented an interesting riddle in a recent CNN article, “Why bias holds women back.”

“A man and his son are in a serious car accident. The man dies on the spot, and the son is rushed to the hospital.

Upon entering the operating room, the surgeon says, ‘I can’t operate on this boy; he’s my son.’”

When presented with this riddle, many listeners cannot understand how this is possible — had the father not just passed away in the car crash? The reality is that the surgeon is not the deceased father — it is the mother of the son. The riddle illustrates how the majority of people automatically assume the surgeon in the riddle is a male,

an interesting comment on how women continue to be viewed in the sciences.

The overlooked answer to the riddle highlights how society as a whole tends to be bias when accrediting a position in the sciences or medical fields primarily to males. It also points to a possible cause to why the female population in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is still drastically lower than the male population. Even with women outnumbering men on college campuses, females constitute fewer than 12 percent of working physicists and engineers, according to the same CNN article.

One of the typical answers researchers give as why women are a minority in the STEM fields is family priorities.

Nonetheless, Urry believes that family priorites are not to blame because it does not take into consideration the females in

Illustration by Ana Cano

the STEM fields who chose not to have a family. Urry believes the problem remains in the bias towards males in the STEM fields.

Even though the University is merely one among thousands of educational institutions in the country, it’s an honor to attend a school which Forbes Magazine ranked 15th in the nation and first in Texas for helping women succeed in STEM fields. It is important to remember that we are in the minority

in terms of encouragement and acceptance of women in STEM fields in the nation.

Female science majors should have nothing but pride in the University’s continued efforts to include and provide exceptional educational opportunities to women in the STEM fields. Not only does it show St. Mary’s dedication to its female students, but it exemplifies Lao Tzu’s memorable quote: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Budget cuts reduce services for women Since 2011, Texas has severely cut funding to family planning with the budget significantly slashed from $111.5 Danielle Saenz million to $37.9 million. There has even been speculation that the dramatic cuts were made by conservative lawmakers to try and weaken clinics who provide abortions, such as Planned Parenthood.

According to a San Antonio ExpressNews report, four San Antonio clinics that received state funding lost their entire $680,000 budget. Fortunately, none of these clinics have had to close or reduce their hours, thanks in large part to private donors.

While the purpose intended for the

budget cuts has had little to no effect on some clinics, other clinics in the city were greatly affected. The Express-News reported the number of people treated annually at University Health System clinics has dropped from 10,000 to only 5,000 since 2011. Consequently, since reducing the budget for state family planning funds, many of the clinics in the system have had to close. Fewer clinics means less women will be able to get appropriate care and testing they need, including pap smears, access to contraception, pregnancy testing and prenatal care.

These clinics are designed to help lowincome women and students; without them, many women may go without essential health services .

Numerous clinics fortunate enough to remain open still suffer from reduced hours and services. Even worse, some clinics have gone so far as to implement a waiting list to receive birth control or be seen by a doctor. This all means hundreds, maybe thousands, of women will be put at a higher risk of disease, unwanted pregnancy and cervical or ovarian cancer.

These budget cuts have done a great deal of harm to the low-income and young female population of San Antonio. If clinics in the University Health System are forced to close due to budget cuts, the health of San Antonio women will be endangered, all to prove an inane point in the fight against access to abortion.

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Murder and mayhem nothing to laugh at Presidents leave their legacy on the Court bench Each year, Ha l lowe en brings about major issues of political Emily Artalejo correctness.

Ever y thing ranging from advertisements for haunted houses to costume choices can come under major scrutiny.

A prime example is the newest video for one of San Antonio’s popular fall attractions, 13th Floor Haunted House.

The video depicts a creepy man breathing heavily while feverishly searching Facebook for users’ pictures.

He prints out one picture and hangs it on a clothesline filled with dozens of Polaroids of other profile pictures. A quick check to his phone reveals the haunted house opens in five minutes, and the disguised man departs for his job at the 13th Floor.

The idea of an actual murderer waiting for

unsuspecting victims at 13th Floor is chilling, upsetting and just plain scary, but instilling the fear of fictional murderers is simply a traditional part of Halloween. The video, while not necessarily offensive, is a great way to scare off potential customers.

Along with the bothersome video, people can only imagine the amount of tasteless Halloween costumes set to be worn this year. With the upcoming presidential election, the candidates are likely targets of criticism.

Expect to see Obamas with placards that read, “Hand over your candy so I can redistribute it,” or even pictures of Romney shaking a fist at Big Bird. Incidentally, since his comments about cutting funding for PBS, Big Bird costumes have seen a dramatic increase in sales, according to CNBC. Suggestions for offensive costumes are also widely

Senior Justin Patterson looks at a mask of President Barack Obama at a local Halloween Spirit store. Photo by Felix Arroyo

circulating on the Internet.

Dozens of sites offer instructions for creating a zombie Muammar Gaddafi costume, the recently deceased dictator of Libya.

Possibly the most offensive mask available is the realistic rendering of James Holmes, better known as the “Aurora Killer,” who opened fire in a dark theatre and killed 12 people. The costume is unbelievably lifelike, complete with pasty skin, bulging eyes and a

mess of bright orange hair.

According to an ABC report, eBay removed the listing and issued this statement: “eBay does not allow listings that attempt to profit from human tragedy or suffering.”

Halloween should be fun, and while the declaration one makes with costumes may not always be politically correct, there is no excuse for joking about tragedies. For this Halloween, get creative, but don’t rely on shock value.

Stay classy, St. Mary’s.

Latino voters essential in Nov. 6 election A poll conducted

by CNN reports illegal immigration as the second of the top five foreign policy concerns.

Tamara Garcia With President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney battling it out for the presidency, some say that ultimately, the election will come down to the Latino vote in swing states. Since one of the most contentious issues facing the nominees is illegal immigration, there is no question why there is so much talk about the Latino vote.

Current figures from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement report that in 42 months, the Obama administration has deported 57 percent more people per month than the Bush

administration. It has been suggested that this increased figure is due to an increase in the total illegal immigrant population, but according to the Department of Homeland Security, immigrant populations have remained relatively static since 2005.

Besides deportation, the Dream Act, a bill that provides a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. at a young age, is also a central concern of many Latino voters.

President Obama’s support of the Dream Act, along with his proposed two-year work permit and deferral of deportation programs, means the possibility for many illegal immigrants to gain citizenship seems much higher under the Obama administration than it would be if Romney won. Romney has

been quoted as saying he would veto the Dream Act if it is passed by Congress.

In addition, Latino populations are traditionally Christian, and the two candidates have very different stances on divisive social issues like abortion and gay marriage; both issues that clash with general Christian ideologies.

It is clear that there are two very distinct directions for Latino voters to choose. Now more than ever, there is a need for the 23.7 million eligible Latino voters to actually get out and vote.

Dulce Matuz, one of Time’s 100 most influential people and president of the Arizona Dream Act Coalition, couldn’t have articulated this need better.

“We’ve made the beds, we’ve mowed the lawn, we’ve picked up the trash — now its time we pick our president.”

With the election less than a month away, a myriad of important issues are being discussed at length. One significant matter, which has received little focus Briana Perez on the national stage, however, is the Supreme Court. The ability for presidents to appoint federal justices, with Congressional approval, is a key part of their executive power.

Unique to any other official of our federal government, justices of the Court serve life terms, as long as they remain in “good behavior.” This reflects how the legacy of a president can last significantly longer than the four or eight years they serve in the oval office. Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt provides a prime example: after chastising a conservative-leaning court for overturning many of his New Deal policies, FDR made eight justice appointments, transforming it to a significantly left-leaning court. Two of his appointees remained on the Court until the 1970s, years after the end of FDR’s term.

According to a CNN report, many analysts believe the next elected president may have the opportunity to appoint anywhere from one to three new justices — the elderly associate justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, appointed in 1993 by Bill Clinton, is currently battling cancer and is a probable contender to step down. Obama has emphasized the importance of empathy in the judicial philosophy of his candidates, while Romney has been quoted as saying he would look to appoint candidates in a similar judicial mold as Chief Justice John Roberts.

Either candidate could infiltrate the court with enough appointees to tip the current delicate balance to either the right or left; associate justice Anthony Kennedy, generally cast in the role of the swing vote on major cases, tends to lean more towards the conservative. Obama has made two appointments thus far—associate justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan—both who are already important figures for the liberal branch.

In upcoming years, the court will most likely hear cases that deal with important and contentious issues of our day — voting laws, same-sex marriage and recurring issues like abortion and affirmative action. The possibilities for court nominees by the next president are an important factor to consider when casting your ballot.

unexplainabl rrorer seems, e T f o Centehre University Centgs in the

veyardrs walking a r G e h n in tica Luna remembe t her e r d l i h C mni Veron igh of the n

2012 alu e middle uld Class of cemetery in th s we wo s e l n u e e h t nois towards year. ot make y, it would stop n d l u o n w freshme ig wind chime would walk awa b e nds “Th hen we d.

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Seniors Alexandra Ch ow and Jessica Aran da run past the Marianis t Cemetary.

Brother i For most p e n the A o p le , it d stories abo ut St. Lou oesn’t take long afte ttic is Hall. r joining t “The stor he commun y g o e s ity to hear that a bro Louis Hall. t her used t One day, h o wor e criminal ju stice major ended up slipping an k out in the attic o f St. d Hilda Ortiz breaking h Ortiz has is s a b n id e e e . c n k . ” senior told that y nightfall. ou can still s e e him workin Another ve g out befo r s io n o re f th ghost can b e seen at m e story Ortiz has h eard is ho idnight.

“Once, I alm w the brot o s t s tood out w her’s out and lef it h friends wa t ten minu Ex it tes before of ercis midnight,” ing, but we kind of e St chickened . L equ Ortiz said ou .

Exorcisms is H ipme all nt s at St. Mar Sophomore till . b ha io lo y g ’ y s ng major Alicia R about exor e s idence Hall s in cisms in re Miller has the s s idence hall heard not “My frien att s o . ic n e , d b m u o t ved into Ad t w o an exorcism s t o r ie e s le and h had to info appening in her roo they actually had to m,” said M rm her ab warn her ou il a really was n’t like th t it, but for her n ler. “They simply sa bout e o id t m to worry a they ovies. But Although s bo th junior bus ome students would a en again, an exorcis ut it, that it iness major m gr Adrian Za ee that Treadaway is an exorcism.” creepy. marripa h as a reaso simply looks creepy, “There w n for belie ving it is environmen as an exorcism in Tr t in there eadaway,” is Z things get weirder.” just freaky in gene amarripa said. “Th e r al, but on Zamarripa t h e t e h x ir p lained d f loor, hall and be lieve that’s how people say ther e’s where the exorcism h a room that’s closed appened. in the

t tin how new ors about haun er Pilar e t i p s e D emb rum Staff M n had a heart e many r C a U e o r t e ma th ing to . Accord en years ago, a over the rail g n i d l i u b t and fell d no one z, about Resende the second f loor cs showed up an di n attack o f loor. Parame g man. un st noises the f ir o revive the yo been hearing he comes t ve es was able since then, we’ said. “Sometim “Ever area,” Pilar that Arriaga ice.” f s d i f n x o u e l o s ’ A r n a r ia mors thy Siso nce majo near Ka an political scie d has heard ru ife Freshm at the UC an e Residence L a was riag in th udies work-st dy who worked at midnight, Ar anagers la m , about a ng. One Sunday there were no heard yi ts d Off ice d h a friend, an The two studen it . . closing w in the building rted f lickering d headed y a an t t or facul nd the lights s f all the lights a of whistling arted turning ga said. this “We st oors,” Arria y smoothly, but ally g re the d e ver toward , the doors clos rs were shakin Usually a said the doo riag time, Ar loud.

Fabricated Fable from th

There used to be a portrait of a basement of Chaminade Hall. Resident hall have claimed to see the girl walki at one point or another. The ones who would tell others that she died in the senior criminal justice major Hilda Or also works in the Off ice of Admissions story about Chaminade Hall straight.

“Since Chami did burn down at on seems so believable that we would have But no one did die. They just made h Ortiz explained.

le phenomena Compile

d by Am anda

from co ve

r

Cano; Gra phic

HAUNTINGS

by Carla Rodrigu

ez; Photo s by Carl a Rodrigue z

“As I was g rading, it see med like som door,” Joffe eone walked expla ined. “I past my ope t h o u g ht I heard fo a shadow go n off ice o ts ing by as I lo teps, but rea o lly only glimp ked up.”

Hu rrying fro sed m his desk to both sta irwe “As I sat ba ll doors, Joff ck down, I fe e saw no on lt a cold sensatio shadow go b e. y my doorwa n roll up my body and felt y aga in back not think tw a the other wa ice. I got my y ,” Joffe reca b a g a n d lls. “I did keys and sp Joffe experie rang out my nced anothe o r ff strange occ ice.” class severa urrence durin l years ago. g an evening Two students design took the ir po rtable light ta to trace som ble into anot e pattern de her studio cla signs. In ord lights had to ssroom er to use the be turned off light tables, t to s ee the desig he studio end of class ns on the lig , a metal ban h t ging noise fro table. Toward were was he m the studio the ard. Joffe as w here the two ked the stud over, but the students ents if they students sa id had knocked a metal pa int c something the large sto an popped o rage cab inets ff the top of on .

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ould

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girl in the ts of the ing the halls o saw her e fire, but rtiz, who s, set the

ne point, it e a ghost. her up,”

there? ’s o h w , ck o n k , ck Kno gement major

a ior business man n ju , en m h es r f As a rdes Hall. ou L in d ve li a ci the door, but ck Vanessa Gar lo n u ld ou w e n someo said Garcia. ,” “It sounded like in g in m co s a w in ok, no one ter turning on when we would lo in r p er h e k li s thing She also recalls e night. r Alicia Miller, the middle of th jo a m y g lo io b e homor have seen the ts According to sop en d u st e m so t umors tha there are also r . ing down the hall lk a w l ir g a of ghost

Senio r Vale ria Vil her ro laseño om do r peek or. s outs ide

10«features

www.stmurattlernews.com

Skip the store, style yourself Costume ideas that won’t break the bank.

are feeling super sexy, try the “no shoes, no shirt” look LMFAO sings about.

Amanda Cano and Nick Canedo

Katniss Everdeen Although getting crafty to create a bow and arrow might take a little extra work, the tough Katniss look is easy to pull off. Girls can dig into their fall wardrobe a little early and throw on their favorite layers. The most esssential part to this costume is the bold black boots.

MAANAGING EDITOR AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As Halloween creeps up, the need for a killer costume deosn’t mean students have to resort to eating ramen noodles until Thanksgiving.

Whether it’s fun, scary or a little bit spicy, here are some simple costume ideas that can be created from what’s already in the closet.

Senior Isaac Morales party rocks like LMFAO. Photo by Adriana Avila; graphic by Amanda Cano

Senior Marquielle Orwat shows off her tough side as Katniss from “The Hunger Games.”

Photo by Adriana Avila

PHOTO POLL

Q: What costume do you

think will be the most

popular this Halloween season?

LMFAO For those who are sexy and they know it, there’s no way this party rocking costume can go wrong. Flaunt those tight pants, cut off a funny shirt and put those trendy nerdy glasses to use. For those who

“We wear pink!”

Zombie With the rumored apocalypse nearing, one of the most popular costumes this year is the zombie. The best part is the ability to use the clothes that are just taking up space in the closet. Throw pants in a little mud and find a worn out shirt to stain with fake blood, and the wardrobe will be complete once they are torn a little.

Finally, smear some white and red paint over the face, and go frighten people like the walking dead.

Mean Girls In honor of National Mean Girls Day on Oct. 3, girls get the ultimate excuse to dress like their favorite Plastic. Whether it’s with an oversized pink polo shirt or tiny little skirts, don’t forget the most important rule: Halloween lands on a Wednesday this year, and on Wednesdays,

These are just a handful of simple but eye-catching costumes for this Halloween.

The key is to keep things simple, using the avaliable wardrobe wisely and trying to avoid expensive accessories.

Senior Linda De la Torre-Alva, junior Holly Garwood, junior Natalie Trinidad and junior Cassandra Antell dress up as The Plastics from “Mean Girls.” Photos by Adriana Avila; graphic by Amanda Cano

Sophomore Otto Jimenez is the walking dead. Photo by Adriana Avila; graphic by Amanda Cano

“I think Iron Man is the big hit among males.”

“I think the most popular would be Mean Girls.”

“I think the political figures due to the election.”

“I think girls will be Katniss due to all the hype of ‘The Hunger Games.’”

“I think a zombie because of the world ending this year.”

Kristen Burress Senior Music and History

Emma Salazar Junior Political Science

Alfonso Pacheco Junior Politcal Science

Amber Anderson Senior History

Bonita Babu Junior Criminology

features»11

www.stmurattlernews.com

Alumnus hunts ghosts Amanda Cano

MANAGING EDITOR

Though his current career consists of him being a band director at a local middle school, class of 2011 alumnus Bobby Baiza also spends time as a ghost hunter with the Russell Rush Haunted Tour.

After being hired by Mix 96.1 radio station shortly after his 2007 internship, Baiza got involved with Rush’s idea of investigating haunted areas, according to the Russell Rush Haunted Tour website.

“I told Russell that I was really into the show ‘Ghost Hunters’ and that I would like to work with him,” Baiza said.

For the past five years, Russell Rush has taken a team of paranormal investigators to five different locations, learning about the history and supernatural experiences.

Baiza didn’t always have a steely confidence with otherworldly phenomena. During a particular late night in the Treadaway rehearsal halls, Baiza and his peers heard creepier than usual noises and decided to see what it was.

“There is an exit sign at the end of the hallways that gives off a little light. That night, it gave off just enough light for us to see a figure at the end of the hall walking from side to side,” Baiza said. “Whatever it was, it did not acknowledge us and we didn’t want it to.”

After participating in Rush’s investigations for so long, Baiza does not feel as afraid as he once used to be.

“After a while, you just see and hear so many different things, you become numb to the scaredness and you become more curious than anything. You just want to know what’s out there,” he said.

Although Baiza finds the paranormal world interesting, he understands that this is not a lifestyle for many people.

His biggest advice for those who are scared, religious or superstitious is not to go looking for an answer.

“Say you do encounter something that’s not explainable, don’t go looking for answers because you’ll most likely get an answer,” he advised.

For more information about the Russell Rush Haunted tour, visit www.therussellrushhauntedtour.com or like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rrauntedtour.

Alumnus Bobby Baiza has witnessed unusual ‘paranormal’ activity in Treadaway Hall. Photo by Adriana Avila

from cover

BOARDS “Long boards are cool and everything, but there’s nothing like the feeling of almost dying I experience every time I pop a trick on my skateboard,” Cory Weatherly, a junior exercise and sport science major, said.

Weatherly admits to various broken bones and most recently, pulled a screw out of the sole of his shoe.

“Just the hazards of doing what I love,” Weatherly said.

At least six known cases of major injury due to skateboarding have occurred this semester, but despite the risk, the sense of community offered through skateboarding at the University for both men and women is something to marvel at.

As it stands right now, the student-ran Facebook group, “STMU LONGBOARDING,” and irregular meet-ups on and off campus are about as official as it

gets for the skating Rattlers. With growing interest and publicity, hopefully the campus board crew will gather a larger crowd to ollie and grind with.

For an exclusive video of the skateboarders on campus, visit our website:

w ww.s tm uratt ler news.co m

Junior Corey Weatherly attempts a wall ride. Photo

by Sara LaToul

Student poll highlights rises in stress David Aguayo STAFF WRITER

It’s no secret that the average college student will experience stress at some point during their academic life, but a poll taken by 112 campus students shows that factors causing students stress are more varied than in years past.

With the downturn of the economy, students are now compelled to be competitive after they graduate by means of internships or jobs related to their field of study in order to have the experience necessary to give them an edge. In fact, 49 percent of students polled agreed career related issues were a source of major stress, making it the fourth largest source of campus stress. Academics ranked at 91 percent, finances at 61 percent and sleep difficulties at 51 percent.

The large number of students worried about their finances reveals a problem greater than just a need

for cash: many are responsible for supporting themselves, or at least responsible enough to make sure they have enough money to pay for their schooling and their living expenses. The result is full-time students with part-time jobs.

Nate Roberts, a freshman engineering science major, works as a firefighter and is usually asked to work during weekends. However, it isn’t rare for him to be called in on school nights.

“Even weeks where I only work weekends are tough because it’s hard to find time to do whatever work I have over the weekend,” Roberts said.

What’s worse is how an unexpected weeknight call interrupts Roberts studies and sleep. Unfortunately, stories like Roberts’ are far from rare, and with students stretching themselves so thin, it’s surprising a mere 51 percent of students stress about sleep

difficulties.

Thankfully, the Student Psychological and Testing Services (SPATS) offers to see students to help them with stress management.

“We encourage students to utilize our services to become calmer, more productive people,” Barbara Hardin, director and licensed clinical psychologist of SPATS, said.

The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

During these hours, students can drop by to set up their initial appointment, or intake.

“It is designed to help us figure out what the best course of action would be for a particular student,” Hardin said.

Alternately, students can call SPATS at 436-3135 or stop during walk-in hours on Tuesdays to be seen without an appointment.

Since stress is an unavoidable part of a student’s life, one should always seek help when needed.

12«entertainment

www.stmurattlernews.com

Up next

Movies Oct. 19

Rivals Laertes (Edgardo Ramirez) and Hamlet (John Goddard) duel during rehearsal for the play. Photo by Dale Fastle

Source: filmofilia.com

Seven Psychopaths Director Martin McDonagh’s new movie is a comedy filled to the brim with witty dialogue and tip-top acting. The storyline is so intricate and multi-layered, it is easy for audiences to feel lost, though. Nonetheless, the final product is satifying and Christopher Walken gives one of his best performances yet.

HHHII

Music Oct. 22

Source: tumblr.com

Red Taylor Swift’s third studio album, “Red,” is a predictable but irresistible combination of country and pop. The first two singles have already climbed to the top of the Billboard charts, with the latest peaking at sixth. One can only imagine the damage the full album will do to every sales record out there.

HHHHI

‘Hamlet’ raises the bar for drama productions Stela Khury

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

The University’s drama department is presenting Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” with a twist this year.

“I wanted to create an atmosphere that was very intimate, where the audience can touch the actors,” director Adam Burke, visiting assistant professor of drama, said.

“The audience is engaged by the production.

We created a set where the audience is actually going to be sitting on the ground and the action happens in front of them and behind them. So, to see what happens, they will have to literally turn around,” Burke added.

Though “Hamlet” is one of the most produced stage plays in the world, Burke believes the great majority of University students have not had an opportunity to watch the play on stage, though they might have studied the text or watched a movie adaptation.

According to Burke, the decision to put together a production of “Hamlet” was based both on his interest in the story and how well it fit with the number of students able to participate in the play.

“Part of the reason why we chose this play was so some of our actors could get the experience of working alongside more mature, more experienced actors,” Burke said. “It just so happened that, on this production, it worked out well. The number of younger roles and older roles that we had was equal.”

Among the weathered actors is Richard Pressman, professor of English and communication studies, who was invited by Burke to participate in the production.

“Adam Burke came after me and I said, ‘I really don’t think so, but maybe we can talk about it,’” Pressman said. “Then Bernadette Hamilton saw me in a public place on campus, and she went right up to me and said, ‘You! We want you to be Polonius!’”

Pressman said he was still reluctant because he felt it was a big time commitment. Even though he had, for many years, wanted to be on stage as an actor, he had no training whatsoever. His only experience had been a walk on role in college, with no lines, and a play in fourth grade, in which he forgot his single line.

“In the back of my mind I kept thinking, ‘My wife is going to kill me!’ She’s going to say, ‘Are you out of your mind? You’re going to be tired and grumpy,’” Pressman said. “But I went to tell her what was going on and she said, ‘Oh! What a wonderful opportunity! If you want to do it, you should do it.’”

Senior English major John Goddard, who plays the protagonist Hamlet, said Pressman’s participation in the play has been extremely beneficial. “(Pressman) knows the play inside and out.

He has helped me many times throughout rehearsals. He knows all the multiple meanings of the words and phrases, so having him on set is invaluable,” Goddard said. “We have gotten the most work done in the smallest amount of time for ‘Hamlet’ than any other play I’ve done here at St. Mary’s.”

Goddard said the role of Hamlet has been one of the most challenging for him. To Goddard, playing the prince of Denmark has also been, above all, an extremely rewarding learning experience.

“I had never had a role this large in a

Shakespeare production, but fortunately I was alerted early enough to do research on Shakespearian acting,” Goddard said. “Adam’s decision to have the play performed around the audience also gave me something new to work. Hamlet has many soliloquies and asides, all of which I am saying directly to (individual) audience members, which makes them feel like they are really a part of the world we are creating.”

Goddard believes students are the ones who may benefit the most coming out to watch “Hamlet.”

“This is kind of embarrassing, but I myself had not read the play until Adam recruited me.

Even if students have seen it, they haven’t seen it the way we are doing it,” Goddard said. “We aren’t doing anything crazy with it, but every director and actor has a special interpretation of the material. That is what’s so great about theatre.”

Burke thinks students should take more chances in actively participating in one of the drama department’s productions.

“We’ve had a lot of people who are not, say, drama people, but as long as they are prepared to work hard and seriously, then usually it’s really successful,” Burke said.

On the Playbill for the future, Burke mentioned an opera rock production that is going to be unlike anything the campus has seen before. Meanwhile, students can delight in an intricate production of “Hamlet” that promises to be memorable to the campus community.

entertainment»13

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Halloween box office showdown Silent Hill: Revelation Jocelyn Garcia STAFF WRITER

Maybe “Silent Hill: Revelation” is not the most anticipated movie of the year, but don’t expect it to hit theatres quietly.

The 2006 “Silent Hill” movie adaptation of the 1999 video game was not a hit among critics, who certified the movie at 29 percent rotten on RottenTomatoes.com. However, many fans of the video games felt more in touch with the movie, which grossed $97 million on a $50 million budget.

“Silent Hill: Revelation” is reported to focus on the story of Heather Mason, who finds out her life and identity are intricate lies and ends up transported to the town of Silent Hill on a journey of self-discovery that perhaps she would have been better off not taking. The eerie plot and astounding 3D visual might make the second installment in the Silent Hill movie franchise a sure shot for

audiences looking for a good Halloween scare-fest.

Freshman entrepreneurial studies major Gabe Ruiz is one of the students looking forward to the sequel because he’s a fan of the original game series.

“In comparison to most movies based on games, ‘Silent Hill’ stays true to its origin,” Ruiz said.

The outlook is not quite as positive from alumnus Jorge Diego Martinez Jr. “The movies break away so much of the original story,” Martinez said. “In ‘Silent Hill,’ for example, the game is a lot of mental horror as to where the film concentrates on visual horror.”

Whether movie goers are looking to be scared out of their mind, or wanting to delve deeper into the video game adaptation, “Silent Hill: Revelation” hits theaters Oct. 26.

Paranormal Activity 4 Anissa Bravo STAFF WRITER

Paranormal Activity followers now have a fourth chilling installment from the popular franchise to look forward to this Halloween season.

“Paranormal Activity 4,” set to premier Oct. 19, has already generated quite a bit of buzz due to its secretive plot.

Chronolog ically, the fourth installment will follow the second film, which ended with Katie kidnapping Hunter, her sister’s son.

The film will take place five years after the kidnapping when Katie and Hunter, renamed Robbie, move into a new house and set off unusual events that affect their neighborhood.

The previous films have proven to be thrilling as well as extremely successful.

“Paranormal Activity 3” broke horror film records in the

United States, bringing in $26.2 million on its opening day on a meager $5 million budget; the franchise as a whole has earned $297 million worldwide.

The Paranormal Activity stories are told through lowquality video recordings, capturing eerie events as they happen.

For “Paranormal Activity 4,” the directors have incorporated new technology, such as an Xbox Kinect and a webcam. It will be interesting to see what variety this will add to the storytelling, but these novelties will no doubt be another means of creating even more bone-chilling visual dynamics.

The Paranormal Activity franchise has a faithful fan base that seems eager to watch every new installment. The tagline of “Paranormal Activity 4” is how, “all the activity has led to this.”

It seems that fans can expect an explanation of what has happened to the characters from the previous films.

Books Oct. 23

Source: amazon.com

All the wrong questions Daniel Handler’s new series marks the transition of Lemony Snicket, the writer’s penname and narrator of “A Series of Unfortunate events,” into the status of fullfledged character.

The first book of the series, “Who Could that Be at This Hour?” will begin chronicling Lemony Snicket’s younger years when he was part of an organization “nobody knows about.”

Recommended for: Fantasy and young-adult literature fans.

Television Oct. 26

13th Floor to terrorize crowds with new set up Nicole Gomez STAFF WRITER

Featured on Travel Channel’s “America’s Scariest Halloween Attractions” and “America Haunts,” 13th Floor Haunted House surprises guests with new additions and improved attractions. Located downtown, the 72-yearold building hosts San Antonio’s largest haunted house and has generally helped elevate the city to one of the best in the country, in terms of haunted houses and notoriously haunted locations.

This Halloween, haunted house enthusiasts can expect an entirely new experience at 13th Floor. Guests will begin by descending into a blood stained room and numerous themed rooms that will challenge guests’ anxiety with special emphasis given to the sort of monster that inhabits each area. Actors in horrifying

makeup with a tendency to follow guests, as if they were truly bloodthirsty maniacs, only increase the terror.

Just when visitors manage to make it to the basement in one piece, there are still several more rooms to get through before the nightmare ends, including the anti-gravity room, with a difficult to navigate arrangement that forces guests to put their minds to work amidst chaos. Among the many novelties, a memorable addition to the attraction was the psychiatric patients, which are alarming and chilling.

13th Floor is a perpetual journey with attractions which have meticulous attention to detail in the setting and special effects. By the end of the adventure, it is highly likely every single guest will be rendered absolutely terrified.

Source: imdb.com

The Munsters return

The long awaited light at the end of the tunnel. Photo by Leo Reyes

“Mockingbird Lane,” a reboot of the 1960s sitcom “The Munsters,” was supposed to be “Pushing Daisies” director Brian Fuller’s new project, but CBS was reportedly unhappy with the final product and decided to air the pilot as a Halloween special instead. This might just be the show’s chance to capture a following and a full series order.

14«sports

www.stmurattlernews.com MEN’S GOLF

UPCOMING GAMES & EVENTS

Freshman golfer finds local fame on fairway

VOLLEYBALL DATE

OPPONENT

Oct. 18 Oct .20 Oct. 27 Oct. 27 Oct. 30

UT Permian Basin McMurry Oklahoma Panhandle St. Sourthern Arkansas TAMU Kingsville

TIME 7 p.m.

Noon Noon 4 p.m.

7 p.m.

MEN’S SOCCER DATE

OPPONENT

Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct.

Oklahoma Christian Newman St. Edward’s Dallas Baptist Texas A&M International

18 20 25 27 31

TIME 7 2:30 3:30 2:30 7:30

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

WOMEN’S SOCCER DATE Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct.

18 20 25 27

OPPONENT Oklahoma Christian Newman St. Edward’s Dallas Baptist

TIME 5 p.m.

Noon 1 p.m.

Noon

CROSS-COUNTRY DATE

EVENT

Oct. 20

Heartland Conference meet

TIME 9:30 a.m.

MEN’S GOLF DATE

EVENT

Oct. 22

StMU/Bruce Williams Inv.

TIME All Day

WOMEN’S GOLF DATE

EVENT

Oct. 15

Schreiner Fall Classic

TIME All Day

Men’s Tennis DATE Oct. 26

EVENT Apache Invitational

TIME All Day

Women’s Tennis DATE Oct. 19

EVENT Apache Invitational

TIME All Day

*Home games in bold.

Soccer home games played at NISD sports complex.

Volleyball games played at Bill Greehey Area.

Men’s Golf will be held at the Dominion Country Club.

The Heartland Conference cross-country meet will be held in Wichita, Kan.

As a freshman, Gorzell already stands as one of the most prominent golfers on the StMU team. Photo by Christina Faseler

After facing a terrible loss, Gorzell improves his drive by adjusting his attitude.

Christina Faseler SPORTS EDITOR

Even though he’s only a freshman, business major Kirby Gorzell has already accumulated a number of accolades.

These include winning a tournament championship, being named the Heartland Conference Men’s Golfer of the Week and

even catching the eye of media outlets such as MySA.com.

Gorzell’s recent title came at the Ryan Palmer Foundation Invitational tournament, where his score of 209 aided the Rattlers in claiming third place as a team.

The recent title has been only one link in a chain of recent successes for Gorzell, including a second place title in the Territory Classic tournament. Gorzell confidently attributed the accomplishments to a positive shift in his attitude.

“I’ve had a drastic change in my attitude,” he said, “I’ve been a lot more calm and just kind of let things happen.”

Gorzell’s attitude adjustment has given him the ability to make the best out of the worst situations.

“I lost my 16-year-old sister, Kali, in a boating accident right before I came to St. Mary’s and it

really took a toll on me,” Gorzell said. “It’s always going to be hard to deal with. While I’m never going to get over it, it changed me for the better. I find myself thinking more positively and, even

“I’ve had a drastic change in my attitude. I’ve been a lot more calm and just kind of let things happen.”

Kirby Gorzell Men’s Golfer

though it’s tough sometimes, I try not to get frustrated, especially on the golf course. Kali changed my attitude about almost everything in my life.”

With this inspiration in mind, Gorzell’s humble aim is to continue contributing to his team one tournament at a time.

sports»15

www.stmurattlernews.com SCHOOL SPIRIT

Use shoes to kick up spirit Christina Faseler

SPORTS EDITOR

University students surely already own a Rattler T-shirt, pair of sweat pants, shorts, vintage hat, lanyard or just about every other item of clothing in the bookstore.

There is, however, one thing needed to make the spirit outfit complete for game day—a pair of customized StMU shoes.

Here are some step-by-step tips on how to make a pair of Rattler kicks:

of spray paint, acrylic paint, glitter and whatever else is desired for the design. Some even use cloth to make patches.

1. Pick the kicks.

A pair of white TOMS Canvas shoes are highly recommended. They’re easy to customize and every pair purchased allows TOMS to give a pair of shoes to a child in need in a Third World country.

3. Graffiti skills.

When using spray paint, tape off whatever section of the shoes that shouldn’t be sprayed. Use spray paint as directed and allow time to dry. Be sure to use only masking tape, medical tape or any form of tape with sticky strait-edged sides.

For alternating colors, tape the area intended to have painted with the secondary color, then spray and allow to dry. Next, tape off the area that was just sprayed and repeat the same procedure.

For an added effect, try sprinkling glitter on the shoes before applying spray paint.

2. Choose the weapon(s).

Make sure there is an ample supply

4. Be a Picasso.

First, apply acrylic paint to make a pattern.

A pair of TOMS shoes customized with gold spray paint and royal blue acrylic paint displays how students can create their own shoes. Photo by Christina Faseler

Then, write out “St. Mary’s University,” or draw a portrait of Rattler Man. Finally, make whatever finishing touches to add a cool effect. There’s no shame in asking a friend for help.

5. Rock the kicks.

Debut the new spirit shoes at the next sporting event. Go ahead, jump in with the Rowdy Rattlers. The new awesome kicks will make even Rattler Man envious.

RATTLER MADNESS

‘Somthing big’ to hit campus with basketball pep rally Arturo Osteguin Jr. FEATURES EDITOR

Putting its own unique spin on the NCAA Division I tradition of Midnight Madness, Rattler Athletics is hosting Rattler Madness next week.

The theme for this year’s event is “Something Big is Coming.”

“I don’t want to give away too much,” Chad Peters, sports information coordinator for the

Office of Communications, said, “but it’s going to be a big reveal.

Rattler Athletics is going to have a new look.”

Rattler Madness kicks off Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-event tailgate on the Alumni Field and areas surrounding the Alumni Athletics and Convocation Center.

The tailgate will feature food, Red Bull energy drinks, music and, for the first time, beer for students

who are of age. At 8 p.m., the doors of Bill Greehey Arena will open to begin a massive pep rally, which will include performances from the cheerleading squad and Code Blue dance team.

“Fun events are really what it’s all about,” Peters said. “There will definitely be a lot of dancing.

‘Gangnum Style’ might even make an appearance.”

Rattler Madness will also

SEASON RECORDS SPORT

Volleyball

SEASON

CONFERENCE

12 - 7

4-4

3-7-1

2-4-1

8-6

2-5

Conference ranking: 4th

Men’s Soccer Conference ranking: 5th

Women’s Soccer Conference ranking: 4th

A S O F O C T. 1 3

feature many opportunities to win prizes, such as a T-shirt giveaway at the door, giant foam finger giveaways and much more.

Mini-games will include a halfcourt shootout, 3-on-3 basketball games with fans playing alongside St. Mary’s basketball players and several other fun challenges.

“We really want to make sure that everyone comes together as a part of St. Mary’s,” Peters said. The

event is free to all students. Food and drinks will be available for purchase using dine-in dollars.

Rattler Madness gives students an excellent chance to support their team and have tons of fun.

For more information on Rattler Madness, visit rattlerathletics.com or contact Chad Peters at 210-431-4379.

16«sports

www.stmurattlernews.com

THE HOT

Alyssa Taramona

Freshman Exercise and sport science Quick facts: Tarmona’s defense was a key component in the soccer team’s recent wins against UT Permian Basin and McMurry University, as she leads the team in blocks. Though her high school didn’t offer soccer, she followed her passion by traveling to play in club leagues.

Where are you from? What high school did you attend?

I am from Forney, Texas, which is about 40 minutes outside Dallas.

I went to (a) private school, Poetry Community Christian School, which is 30 minutes away from Forney.

How old were you when you first started playing soccer?

I started playing when I was four and have played ever since.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I started playing volleyball when I was in the sixth grade…we ended up winning state during my senior year (in high school). I started playing basketball in third grade and played off and on throughout middle and high school.

What position do you play?

I play goalkeeper and it’s my favorite position. I love practicing on the field with the rest of the team as well because it challenges me and makes me a better player.

Tell us a little about the team.

The girls are all fantastic and hard workers. Everyone supports everyone and we will back each other up no matter what. We might have had a rocky start, but we are growing as a team and are getting better with every game.

Compiled by Jenavie Aguilar

The back row of the Rattler volleyball team gets in positon to receive a serve from Our Lady of the Lake University. Photo

by Sarah Dwyer

VOLLEYBALL

Team continues to fight for season goals Christina Faseler SPORTS EDITOR

The volleyball team still has a shot at an NCAA tournament appearance despite one conference loss and one other loss following an eight game win streak.

Texas A&M International University brought St. Mary’s to a tie for fourth place in the Heartland Conference. Having defeated the Dustdevils 3-2 earlier in the season, the Rattlers are definitely capable of reclaiming their spot as sole possessor of fourth place and moving on to the conference tournament.

CONFERENCE RANKINGS RANK

TEAM

RECORD

1.

UA Fort Smith

8-0

2.

Dallas Baptist

7-2

3.

St. Edward’s

6-3

4.

St. Mary’s

4-4

5.

TAMIU

4-4

6.

UTPB

3-5

7.

Newman

1-7

8.

OK Panhandle

0-8

A S O F O C T. 1 3

Outside hitter Kelsey Huber, a sophomore art education major, said the team’s main goals for the season are to make it to the Heartland Conference tournament, win the tournament and to move on to the NCAA tournament. With six conference games left in the season, the team’s lofty goals are not far from reach.

Although the 3-0 loss against TAMIU was crushing, not one member of the team plans on backing down or backing out.

Defensive specialist Melissa Dahle, a junior exercise and sport science major, believes that the team has a new element that will

bring them through.

“We went to New York and had sparked intensity. It showed us that we had another gear,” Dahle said.

The bond that has been formed between these ladies is inseparable and will surely lead them to success in the remainder of their season.

“We all have different personalities,” Huber said, “but we’re all like best friends.”

“There’s never a moment that we don’t feel supported,” Dahle added.