Vol. 102, No. 9 - 10/08/2014

p. 7

A capella group prepares for performance

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SPORTS

ENTERTAINMENT

FEATURES

COMMENTARY Parking tickets annoy students

Yak app encourages gossip

p. 12

Ex-student athlete fights illness

Volume 102 Issue 9

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9 0 t h Year of Publication

www.stmurattlernews.com

October 8, 2014

University President discusses 5K preparation Mercedes Kelso News Editor St. Mary’s will host an on campus 5K for the neighborhood, and the proceeds will go to United Way and SNIPSA—an animal rescue and pet adoption organization.

The event will begin with mass at 7:30 a.m. in Guadalupe Chapel on Oct. 19 followed by opening remarks at 8:45 a.m. in Pecan Grove. The race begins at 9 a.m. Online registration is currently open, and those who wish to may register in Pecan Grove between 7:45 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on the day of the race.

According to University President Thomas Mengler, the idea for the event started with a desire to continue assisting the surrounding neighborhood.

“We have had a commitment to our neighborhood revitalization since before I arrived,” Mengler explained.

“So I thought about a run, in part because it would be an opportunity to raise some money.”

In addition to supporting the betterment of the neighborhood, the run will also provide an occasion for the surrounding community to gather.

“It’s an opportunity … to bring

the community together to define it,” Mengler said. “We have invited the neighborhood and alumni too.”

Mengler has advocated for this 5K since the beginning of the semester.

In preparation for the race, he has been consistently running during the week and participated in the El Grito 5K on the San Antonio mission trails.

“I try to run three times a week, and have been running 2–4 miles, and I have been doing that for about a year pretty consistently,” Mengler explained.

He ran track and cross country in CONTINUED ON P. 3

2 \ NEWS UPCOMING EVENTS

stmurattlernews.com FEATURE PHOTO

Form your faith The School of Law will host a red mass at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9 at the San Fernando Cathedral to commemorate the opening of the courts of law in France, England and Italy in the early 13th century.

Explore higher education The Bill Greehey School of Business will host an MBA information session on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. in Alkek Business Building, room 104.

Exercise your mind The St. Mary’s chess club will host its second seminannual university chess tournament on Friday, Oct. 10 at 3 p.m. in Richter 102. To participate, email tellebracht@mail.stmarytx.edu.

POLICE BLOTTER 9.18.14 Harassment reported in Treadaway Hall. Case active.

9.21.14 Open container/consumption of alcohol in public in Leies Hall. Case cleared.

Students pray during the Rattler Awakening Retreat from Sept. 26-28 at Tecaboca Marianist Center for Spiritual Renewal in Mt. Home, Texas.

Photo by Bridget Hennessy.

9.22.14 Criminal mischief of $50-$1,500 in Lot O. Case active.

Students campaign for first fair trade campus in Texas

9.23.14 Drug/narcotics reported in UC. Case closed.

9.24.14 Duty upon striking in Lot D. Case closed.

9.30.14 Disorderly conduct in Lot V. Case closed. read more online at STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

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 memeber of the Associate Collegiate Press, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

Letter to the Editor Policy The Rattler welcomes letter 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.

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.

Sarah Palomares Staff Writer In observance of fair trade month this October, the St. Mary’s fair trade campaign plans to set up information tables in the University Center to raise awareness of their initiative to make St. Mary’s the first fair trade campus in Texas by the end of next semester.

In competition with University of Texas and Baylor University for the title, the fair trade campaigners are working hard to make progress in other locations on campus, but have several stipulations to adhere to before receiving the title, according to University Minister for Social Justice Clare Acosta Matos.

“We have to first work with Aramark to use fair trade food items, second, getting the bookstore to sell fair trade items and then proposing a resolution that must go through administration

and the president’s office,” Matos explained.

The initiative was started in fall 2013 by senior finance major Mydori Nomura and Rebecca Montes (‘14) with help from Matos. With Marianist values in mind, the campaign hopes to advocate social justice, according to Nomura.

“It would be an amazing opportunity to share our Marianist charisms through becoming the first Texas fair trade campus,” Nomura said.

In an effort to reach their goal and bring more awareness to their initiative, the campaign has recently added sophomore philosophy major Jonah Kavanaugh as an intern.

Part of Kavanaugh’s hope for the campaign is to clarify the differences between free trade and fair trade.

“In free trade, you have a third party that either owns the means of production or purchases the goods from an artisan or farmer to be sold to grocery

Contact Us The Rattler

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One Camino Santa Maria Box 83 San Antoniow, TX 78228 Office: (210) 436 - 3401

Visit Us: University Center Room 258 Email: rattlernews@gmail.com

Website: www.stmurattlernews.com

Mydori Nomura and Jonah Kavanaugh discussed plans for the fair trade campaign over Starbucks’ fair trade Italian roast coffee. | Photo by Mat Martinez

stores like Wal-Mart and HEB,” Kavanaugh elaborated.

“In these cases, that third party is able to employ sweatshop workers at low wages because he owns the factories and there are no other jobs available…

Fair trade is about removing that third party so that the producers can get that profit that they deserve.”

Kavanaugh also aims to increase student involvement in the initiative by putting together a student committee that would meet every Friday.

“It is important that we get people on campus involved because ultimately, this should be a student led movement,” Kavanaugh expressed.

“We need people to stand up and say, ‘we want this.’ Without the support of the students, there will be no resonance for change.”

The campaign’s most recent and notable sign of progress is working with the campus Starbucks to sell fair trade Italian Roast coffee.

With their committees, the campaign hopes to better divide the tasks needed to accomplish their goal.

“We invite as many people who would like to get involved to attend,” Nomura said.

“We are breaking out into committees to approach different aspects of the fair trade initiative.”

As the campaign pushes to make St. Mary’s the first fair trade campus in Texas, they ultimately hope to strive for social justice.

“Achieving our status as a fair trade university would answer

our call to serve others under the Marianist charism,” Matos said.

“That would put St. Mary’s on the map and represent our goal of educating for the common good.”

Fair Trade Facts There are over 1.4 million fair trade famers and workers 23 percent of fair trade workers are women Fair trade products include: bananas, chocolate, coffee, flowers, sugar and tea Places to purchase fair trade products in San Antonio: 10,000 Villages 302 Pearl Pkwy #114 All’s Fair World Gifts 2267 NW Military Hwy What’s Brewing San Antonio Coffee Roaster Available at the Pearl Farmers Market on Saturdays, 9 a.m.1 p.m.

Compiled by Mercedes Kelso Source: FairTradeFoundation.org

NEWS / 3

stmurattlernews.com MENGLER 5K high school and some in college, and ran a half-marathon during his twenties. Despite Mengler’s boasting that he could win it all, he has admitted that he could have been exaggerating.

“I don’t think I am going to win … realistically, I think I am going to do well,” Mengler said.

“I am going to beat some people.

For example, I think I finished 40-something in this race (El Grito) two weeks ago, and there were around 160 people of all ages.”

As a member of Lifetime Fitness, Mengler sometimes runs on the treadmill, but he also enjoys running outside for a mental break.

“I run without any technology, and that’s a really important time for me to have about 30 minutes where I am just

“

I think that it’s important for people, young and old, to have those moments when everything is quiet, and for me, exercise time has always been that.

Thomas Mengler University President

running,” Mengler said. “I am usually thinking about the day, or day-dreaming or thinking about why my knee is hurting.

But I never listen to music.”

While Mengler continues

to prepare for the upcoming race, he said he hopes for a large turnout from students, faculty, staff, alumni and the neighborhood.

“I hope we will have over 500,” Mengler said. “I hope a lot of students will come. I think it will be fun. There will be food before and after the event.

It’s for a good cause—for the neighborhood and United Way.” Students’ registration fees will go to United Way for revitalization projects throughout the West Side of San Antonio. All other registrant fees will contribute to the spaying and neutering of neighborhood pets through a partnership with SNIPSA. In an effort to raise awareness about the spaying and neutering of neighborhood pets, the event also allows participants to bring their spayed and neutered dogs— on leashes— to the event.

All dogs will receive a bandana with the St. Mary’s Gateway logo on it.

Mona Mengler, President Mengler’s wife, will participate in the race, accompanied by one of their dogs, Stella.

The run will begin and end at Pecan Grove. Runners and dog walkers will follow a route entirely through campus. The route includes going around the softball and baseball facilities, down Rattler Drive, through the outback parking lots, along Marianist Drive and around Charles Francis and Chaminade Tower.

“Who knows, maybe I will just

get out there … and (find) that 61 is the new 20,” Mengler said.

BURNING QUESTION

Campus canal across from Lourdes Hall. | Photo by Bridget Hennessy

President Thomas Mengler ran outside of St. Louis Hall on Thursday, Oct. 2 in preparation for the race.

Photo by Alex Eakins

Register ONLINE www.stmarytx.edu/5k

What is the purpose of the empty canal that runs through the southwest part of campus near the residence halls?

“

The ‘canal’ is actually Apache Creek. As a result of severe flooding in 1964, the Federal government and the city engaged in a series of flood control projects in the 1950s and 60s to straighten and channelize the San Antonio River and the Westside Creeks, including Apache Creek, to move floodwaters through the watershed more efficiently. The end result is the concrete-lined canal you see on campus today...

The creek is not always empty...because of the concrete, water can build up quickly and move through the campus at a pretty good clip.

DAY OF RUN 7:30-8:45 a.m., Pecan Grove

“

from cover

David Turner, Ph.D. Environmental Science Professor

Rattler Fest offers university western entertainment Tamara Garcia Managing Editor @tamvicgar

SGA and UPC hosted a country-themed campuswide event with music, food, dancing and a mechanical bull.

University organizations teamed up to host “Rattler Fest,” a night of country-themed activities for the Texan in every Rattler.

The event took place last Friday, Oct. 3, on Flex Field, by the baseball stadium.

Jennifer Garcia, senior political science major and Student Government Association (SGA) President, said the event has been in the works for some months now.

“Between SGA and UPC, we worked together to make Rattler Fest happen,” Garcia said.

“We had the idea last year when we did the paint party. That was the first Rattler Fest that we decided to do, and it was a

huge success.”

The event had a live DJ, a dance floor, a caricature artist, an assortment of refreshments and snacks and, one of the main features, a mechanical bull.

“I was able to stay on it for eight seconds with one hand, which isn’t good enough to beat the competition but it’s alright,” Neil Zamora, a sophomore business major, said.

He was unable to beat the 22-second record of riding the bull.

Freshman computer science major Brandon Lee Garcia came close to beating the competition.

He rode the bull for 18 seconds.

“I had a lot of fun on the bull,” Lee said. “I’m having a great night.”

“One thing we decided to do was ask students if we had a country night, what kinds of things would they want to see,” Garcia said. “(The mechanical bull) was the thing they wanted to see.”

On the side of the field opposite from the mechanical bull, an artist drew caricatures

of students, including Xiomara Caudra, junior math major, and her friend Roxanne Olivares, senior forensic science major.

“I loved how cute we came out,” Cuadra said.

“I was nervous to see the final product.”

Michael Wood, freshman

computer science major, who invited his mom and great uncle, said he rode the bull about 30 times.

“You know, its funny, two of my great uncles, one of my mom’s brothers, my mom and I have all decided to come here,” Wood said.

His mother, Leisha Wood,

graduated in 1996, and his great uncle, Robert Wood, graduated in 1970, but most of his family attended Trinity.

“The rest of my family all went to Trinity,” he said.

“The select few of us chose here just because this place is better.”

Sophomore Lanaiah Leremia (left) and her freshman sister Lennah Leremia pose for a caricature during Rattler Fest on Friday, Oct. 3. | Photo by Rachel Grahmann

4 \ CAMPUS BITES

stmurattlernews.com

The Rattler Word Search a capella Apache Creek baseball coffee donation fashion gossip hand gun Marvel Mengler

museum president Rattler scrimmage theater ticket trade volleyball western yak

The first 3 Rattler readers to bring in their completed word searches to the newsroom (UC 258) will win a prize!

6 \ COMMENTARY STAFF EDITORIAL Gateway Issues At the beginning of the semester, students were instructed that they needed to periodically change their Gateway password beginning Oct. 1.

Since students have changed their passwords, many have become frustrated with both the steps required and effects of changing their password. Others have since experienced problems with their connectivity and Wi-Fi. While we understand the importance of cyber security, especially in terms of password strength, we do not necessarily feel that students should be forced to change passwords every 180 days.

This does not mean complacency, however, and students who use basic passwords and do not update these regularly should do so at their own risk.

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Alex Eakins Managing Editor Tamara Garcia News Editor Mercedes Kelso Design Editor Rachel Grahmann Copy Editor Travis Bowles Web Editor Brandon Leonard Photo Editor Kyra Littlejohn Assistant Photo Editor Mathew Martinez

Advertising Manager Valerie Perez Commentary Editor Eric Rodriguez Features Editor Daniel Perez Entertainment Editor Manuela Gonzalez Sports Editor Sara E. Flores Faculty Adviser Brother Dennis Bautista, S.M., Ph.D.

Standards The Rattler upholds the Mission Statements of St. Mary’s University. The publication follows the Canons of Responsible Journalism, the Associated Press Stylebook and the Student Publication Policy.

The Rattler is a member of the Associate Collegiate Press, the College Media Association and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

Letter to the Editor Policy The Rattler welcomes letter 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.

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.

stmurattlernews.com

Parking tickets annoy students but serve purpose Eric Rodriguez Commentary Editor @eric_rr33 The parking ticket horror stories permeate campus; unverifiable but still enough to make the average student question whether or not the emphasis on ticketing students and visitors wrongfully parked is the best use of University resources.

With a little digging, one may find that the tickets can actually benefit the campus community.

University Police issued 3,087 parking citations during the 2013–2014 school year. It is easy to see why University Police is subject to criticism from students. However, Captain Jeff Earle from University Police was available to answer some questions.

At their heart, the purpose of the tickets given to students, visitors and occasional faculty is to enforce laws at both the state and university level.

Students who have recently been given parking citations may have noticed that the tickets are now printed instead of hand-written as they were in previous years.

This is reflective of the University Police’s switch to an online system. This is also the reason for registering for parking permits online as opposed to

filling out a form.

Strangely, several students who have ordered permits still have not picked them up.

Captain Earle warns that these vehicles may soon be ticketed if the students do not get the permits they ordered. With the old paper system it was much easier for things to get lost, and it was harder to keep track of what had been issued.

This switch is more costeffective for the University and, ultimately, the students who pay to come here. Disgruntled students given tickets in the past have probably wondered where their $50 fee goes once they pay the University Police Department.

When students pay their tickets the money is transferred to Accounts Payable in the Business Office, which is then put into a general fund for the University. To put things in perspective, if all 3,087 parking tickets were paid off in the 20132014 school year, then $154,350 was put into the general fund.

Students may wonder how the $50 charge for citations came about.

The charge amount was decided long ago by a committee on parking to encourage following state and university regulations.

Many students who are given citations may feel they have reason to appeal. Each appeal

is heard on a case-by-case basis and will be granted if it is felt there is reason to take off the charge.

Captain Earle also made note of a rise in students parking off campus. Parking off campus is not surveyed as vigilantly as oncampus parking and can be an annoyance for our neighbors in the surrounding area. Regardless of one’s feelings about parking on campus, it is without a doubt the safest choice for students.

There are two forces at work. One is the students, who can be disgruntled when they find a white slip under their windshield wiper. The other is the police force trying to keep us safe. Rules are rules, and while it may seem unfair to the students caught in violation, the tickets do indeed serve a purpose.

Signs like this designate areas where students can park after certain hours.

During certain hours unauthorized vehicles will be ticketed.

Photo by Mathew Martinez

What could money spent on tickets buy?

Number of Tickets Given 2013-2014: 3,087 Total Cost: $154,350 That’s enough for:

* 4 StMU students’ yearly tuition * 21,437 burritos from Chipotle * 514 16 GB iPhone 6 smartphones * 65,961 Whataburger Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits Source: www.stmarytx.edu, www.chipotle.com, www.sprint.com, www.fastfoodmenuprices.com Eric Rodriguez/The Rattler

Fashion industry pushes the envelope; offends many Ashley Huron Contributing Writer @ashleyybrooke6 In an attempt to revolutionize the fashion industry, wellknown fashion companies, such as Urban Outfitters and Zara, have created controversial or offensive clothing items, many of which wrongly use disorders for profit, resulting in controversy and public outcry.

Most recently, Urban Outfitters sold a Kent State sweatshirt featuring fake blood splatter and tattered edges, as well as describing it as having a cozy, “slouchy” fit.

The sweatshirt was eerily reminiscent of the 1970 shooting that occurred when members of the Ohio National Guard fired upon a peaceful antiwar protest at Kent State University.

In the aftermath, four students were killed and nine were wounded.

The sale of this sweatshirt caused an outrage among the public, many asking how the clothing store had the heart to use a devastating tragedy for profit.

This wasn’t the first time Urban Outfitters released controversial clothing. In 2011, Urban Outfitters discontinued two shirts, one emblazoned with the phrase “eat less” across the chest, and the other with the word “depression.”

Many were shocked that the popular clothing company would have the nerve to use serious disorders as a fashion statement and to turn a profit.

Back in 2011, Urban Outfitters also angered Jewish groups by selling a $100 yellow t-shirt with a sixpointed star badge, which resembled the Star of David patch that Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust.

Urban Outfitters is not the only company guilty of angering the public with offensive apparel.

Zara, for only a few hours, sold a number of mid-length sleeve shirts with horizontal lines and a large, six-point yellow star in the upper left corner.

The star had the word “Sheriff” barely

visible in the middle, and many were disgusted with the design, saying it resembled the prisoners’ uniforms from the Holocaust.

Zara removed the item immediately, and tried to explain that it was supposed to resemble a Western Sheriff look. That did not change many opinions.

As time goes on, it is expected that clothing stores will take a risk by releasing something that has never been sold before, something that could change fashion forever, but these are just some of the worst attempts ever.

We should not promote disorders, or use pain and tragedy as moneymakers.

These items have confirmed that.

One day the industry might move towards a standard that allows it to push the envelope without angering or offending minority groups.

Left top: the “Eat Less” shirt sold by Urban Outfiters.

Left bottom: the Kent State sweatshirt sold by Urban Outfitters. Right top: an actual shirt worn by Jewish prisoners in the Holocaust in Europe in the 1940s.

Right bottom: the shirt produced by clothing company Zara this year.

Sources: bet.com, tampabay.com and freep.com

COMMENTARY / 7

stmurattlernews.com

St. Mary’s campus not made safer by concealed carry laws Travis Bowles Copy Editor @NotTervis Concealed gun carrying laws in Texas allow students, faculty and staff to keep a weapon safely locked in their vehicles on campus— a law UPD strictly enforces— but how much safer does this make St. Mary’s?

Following the campus shootings at Virginia Tech (2007) and Northern Illinois University (2008), lawmakers in several states pushed support for bills allowing any student or staff member with a concealed carry license to also carry a weapon on college campuses.

Texas and St. Mary’s fall in the middle of the spectrum, allowing anyone with a license to keep the gun safely concealed and locked away in a vehicle.

Policymakers argued this would give pause to any

thoughts of attempting another campus shooting. Just knowing anyone could be armed acts as a deterrent.

In the event of a shooting, it also gives those with a license more of a fighting chance.

However, research shows these laws are not making campuses across the country any safer.

The homicide rate is 57 deaths per 1 million people among the general population, but on college campuses that rate drops to 1 death per 1 million people.

In the event of a shooting “there is no recorded incident in which a victim— or spectator— of a violent crime on a campus has prevented that crime by brandishing a weapon,” according to Gary Olson, former provost of Idaho State University.

Considering this was in the context of students having the weapons on them at the time,

the likelihood of a gun being any use is even smaller considering someone would have to first get the weapon from a vehicle in the parking lot.

The other problem is that more guns means more bullets flying through the air. Time Magazine showed that N.Y.P.D., a well-trained police force, hit their targets when firing guns only 18 percent of the time.

The other 82 percent would be flying off into the crowd, creating a greater chance for an innocent civilian to be hit by somebody trying to stop an attacker.

Plus a police officer responding to such a scenario would see people in plain clothes shooting civilians.

How do they distinguish the assailant from those trying to help?

Suicide is the 2nd largest cause of death among students on college campuses.

Of all suicide attempts, 85

Students with Concealed Handgun Licenses are allowed to keep their guns stored in their cars while on campus.| Source: handgunsmag.com

percent are fatal when guns are used as opposed to the next leading cause, drug overdose, at only 2 percent success.

More weapons on campus could lead to even more successful suicide attempts.

Allowing weapons on campus

only creates an illusion of safety, and statistics show that it does nothing to actually make students any better protected regardless of whether they are on the person or locked in a vehicle.

POINT / COUNTERPOINT

Students debate finer points of Emma Watson’s HeForShe UN speech Bridget Hennessy Contributing Writer @bridgehenn30 On Sept. 20, the actress famously known for her role as Hermione Granger in “Harry Potter,” gave a speech presenting a fresh view on the term “feminism.”

Emma Watson spoke at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the launch of the HeForShe campaign— a solidarity movement for gender equality that brings together one half of the world in support of the other half, men for women.

Watson was appointed U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador in July 2014.

The word “feminism,” for many, rouses thoughts of man-hating. Watson, in her speech, was adamant that this must end.

Feminism is defined as, “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.”

She also spoke about her choice to become a feminist after being labeled “bossy” for simply being strong-minded and sexualized by the media.

Many women in the world still struggle to receive the same rights and privileges as men.

On average women still receive less than men for the same work.

In places like rural Africa, women are not given priority in receiving a secondary education.

In places such as China, gendercide is still an issue, with many children dying at birth due to gender.

These are just some of the issues raised by Watson.

Although some may have wished

for further explanation, her main purpose was to reach out to all men that HeForShe calls for action.

It’s true that many injustices are occurring against women around the world, however the suffering of men should not be overlooked, Watson purports.

She suggests that if men are freed from the “macho” and “strong” stereotypes, then things will change for women as well.

“It is time that both men and women feel free to be sensitive. It is that time that both men and women feel free to be strong,” Watson said.

Because feminism seems like a problem for one gender, Watson invites men to take part in this issue.

She states that we cannot make any progress in this area if only half the population is invited to participate.

After her speech, multiple news sources ironically analyzed Emma Watson’s outfit and appearance, essentially missing a major point in her speech.

Clearly, Watson argues, humanity still has a ways to go, but it starts now.

Photo courtesy of fashionsizzle.com.

Claudia Cardona Staff Writer @jodorowskygrl94 Emma Watson’s U.N. speech dealt with feminism for Caucasian masses but failed to address issues of feminism among minorities and transgenders.

Celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna have come out saying that they do not identify as feminist because of its negative connotation.

Some claim that it’s alienating, and others say they would rather be called a “humanist”.

On the other hand, many celebrities have also had integrated feminism into their stage persona, such as Beyoncé, Anne Hathaway, Amy Poehler and Ellen Page.

After Sept. 20, Emma Watson added herself to that list of feminists as well.

The feminist movement has generally been dominated by white, middle-class female voices that tend to ignore the issues that burden women of color.

So most of what Watson said was not new, but the reason people are listening is because she is young, attractive, Caucasian, wealthy and thin.

Her speech is far from the “game changer” people are claiming it to be.

We need to hear different perspectives on this subject from people with more diverse backgrounds.

Emma Watson’s U.N. speech is irrelevant to some feminists because it shows no sign of self-awareness.

Watson spends time in her speech mentioning how her parents and teachers encouraged her, but fails to mention how being Caucasian, wealthy, thin and cisgender all aided her.

There was no discussion about how her campaign can improve the lives of women who face oppressions due to race, transgendered status and size and weight issues.

Watson says in her speech that we should look at gender like a spectrum instead of a binary, yet her campaign is called “He For She,” which reinforces the same binaries she is against.

Feminism’s main priority should be less about comforting males and more about being wholly inclusive of transwomen and women of color.

When Watson mentions that women need to receive equal pay, she does not discuss the fact that white women make 78 percent of what their male counterparts make while Latina women have a 46 percent gap.

Without discussing these important and pressing issues, this type of feminism does close to nothing.

Equality cannot function without first destroying the systems of oppression that all sorts of women face.

Ultimately, Watson’s speech fails to be inclusive of the women who need feminism the most.

what s c

WORDS & SPREAD BY R

When Thomas Mengler became President of St. Mary’s in Fall 2012, the strategy for community and alumni donation outreach became clearer than it was in past years. Since then, StMU has received over $20,000,000 in donations, from grants and gifts, large and small.

Richard Kimbrough was hired as Vice President of University Advancement during Summer 2013, and the strategy was strengthened even more. Greater emphasis was placed on sharing the priorities of the University with both alumni and the community as a whole.

In the school year prior to Mengler’s presidency, 2011–2012, alumni participation was at six percent. By the end of the 2013– 2014 school year, alumni participation had gone up to 11 percent,

making St. Mary’s second, only be schools in San Antonio.

The majority of the donated mone aid that the University extends to s placing students at the center of th change made by Mengler and Kim For example, the phone-a-thon alumni, who are more inclined to d with current students about their have more than doubled the don Fund, from $300,000 in 2012 –-201

BELOW IS A BREAKDOWN OF THE LARGE GRA HAS RECEIVED SINCE MEN

$2,900,000

$2,600,000

Title V Department of Education Grant

Title V Department of Education Grant

For Graduate School through the Office of Academic Research

For SET through Office of Academic Research

Fall 2014

Fall 2014

$1,000,000

$1,000,000

$1,000,000

Harvey Najim

Ruben & Veronica Escobedo

Anonymous donor

Anonymou

To endow scholarships for women to the law school

To benefit schol law sc

To establish the Najim Center within the business school Spring 2013

To endow Lectures for the Saint John’s Bible and endow a fund for the Marianist Leadership Program Fall 2013

$1,600,000 .

St. Mary s Alumni Association To benefit student scholarships 2012–2014

Fall 2014

$1,500

Anonymou

To endow a Ch Philosophy for Catholic

Fall 2

$1,000

Fall 2

changed

RACHEL GRAHMANN

ehind Trinity University, among the

For larger gifts, the University focuses on helping alumni see what a significant difference their gifts can make for the students ey goes to scholarships and financial and campus. students. Making connections and “We want people to understand that St. Mary’s University is a good he drive for donations was another investment of their resources,” Kimbrough said. mbrough.

The total number of gifts from alumni and the community to St. recruits St. Mary’s students to call Mary’s in the 2011–2012 school year was 5,900. In the 2013–2014 donate if they are able to converse school year, the total number rose to 7,600, showing how the alma mater. Efforts such as these commitment to personal connections has helped the University nations for the Annual Scholarship progress its mission to provide its students with an integral 13 to $625,000 in 2013–2014. quality education.

ANTS AND DONATIONS ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY NGLER BECAME PRESIDENT:

0,000

$1,400,000

$1,120,000

$1,000,000

us Donors

Marianist Trust

Bill Greehey

hair in Catholic the Center for Studies

To benefit scholarships and the Marianist Leadership Program

Tom & Leti Contreras

2013

2012–2014

To benefit student social space and the golf program

$500,000

us donor

Alkek Foundation

Gary Schwarz

larships for the chool

To benefit SET equipment.

The foundation has made many gifts since 2012

To benefit scholarships and renovations to Reinbolt Hall

2014

Winter 2012

Summer 2014

$750,000

0,000

To enhance MBA Program and scholarships

2012–2014

Spring 2014

Every gift counts

“

There is very little on campus that is not impacted through someone making a gift, big or small, to St. Mary’s.

Even a $25 gift can represent a few hours a student doesn’t have to work at a part-time job and can focus on his or her studies instead.”

Vice President of Alumni Relations Rick Kimbrough

10 \ FEATURES

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Application allows students to post gossip freely Daniel W. Perez Features Editor @insertlogichere The current generation of college students has grown up in a culture that embraces social media, fully aware of the good and bad that accompanies it.

Gaining traction on campuses across the country are smartphone apps, such as Yik Yak, Whisper and Secret, that let users post anything anonymously.

Popular social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook have begun to lose their trendy status because they have become an extension of the user’s self on an online platform.

The friends or followers of a user can see posts, likes and comments— making posting what a person is truly thinking impossible to do.

Times are changing and, with them, so is the social media landscape.

Individuals who have the urge to let others know their inner thoughts can finally find a platform that does not

force them to out their name to a post.

In true Internet fashion, people can now be truly anonymous.

Yik Yak, an app for iPhone and Android, targets college students and their respective campuses.

The app allows people to see anonymous posts from other users around them in a 1.5-mile radius or by using the university specific sections.

Most American universities have been added, but not all.

The intended use of the app was admirable when the creators first conceived the idea.

Yik Yak was meant to find local events or updates of what was going on in one’s surroundings.

Their mission is, “To create a feed of what people are saying, thinking and doing around you.”

Currently, they are active on over 200 campuses around the country.

Today, St. Mary’s students and possibly faculty members post regularly on

the app.

As one would expect from a large group of people who can post anonymously with access to an audience, the content ranges from funny observations of campus life to posts pointing out flaws in others.

Yik Yak has become the new online extension of conscience from the St. Mary’s community.

Senior political science major, Enrique Trevino has seen the change in the way social media has become part of the college experience.

“The advantages of social media and apps are that people (get) to write their opinions or facts,” said Trevino.

“It is favorable in the manner that people get to read and digest other people’s points of view,” Trevino said.

“One disadvantage is people (use) the social media apps as a mediator for communication. You

read but you do not know the purpose for that comment because you are not interacting with that person one on one or in a group setting.”

Other universities have struggled with cyber bullying by users of the app.

This raises the moral question of whether people should be allowed to use apps without somehow being held accountable for what they write.

Sophomore political science major, Katherine Mallon considers how constitutional rights collide with the integrity of being a St. Mary’s student.

“We all have the right to say what we want, but it’s a hard thing to do,” Mallon said.

“Yes, you are entitled to express your own opinions but how far do you let that go?”

Mallon asked.

“Especially at a university setting where we are trying

to learn, be civil with each other, and discuss things with each other. It (Yik Yak) should be used as a forum for the exchange of ideas. I don’t think it should be used to put people, organizations or other things about the university down.”

Similarly Trevino believes the same when it comes to how this trend should be handled.

“St. Mary’s University should continue allowing people under the constitutional (right) of freedom of expression, yet it is the people within St Mary’s University (to be responsible for) whether they want to express themselves in manners that might provoke gestures or speeches based on their views,” Trevino said.

Online forums and places where people get to voice their opinions will not go anywhere anytime soon.

At this point, it is left up to the users of these platforms to determine the future of what is deemed acceptable and what should be kept off these apps.

Organization connects with students through song, performance Daniel W. Perez Features Editor @insertlogichere A cappella groups have been popular on college campuses throughout the past century.

Little does the St. Mary’s community know that there is one in its midst.

On Friday afternoons while everyone else is home, The Striking Chords meets in Guadalupe Chapel to engage in what they love most: singing.

The Striking Chords is starting to make a name for themselves on campus through a cappella renditions of popular songs.

The members are striving to use their abilities to entertain the campus community.

Started in the fall of 2013, this group of students has taken their love of singing and performing to cultivate a group of like-minded individuals.

Junior biology majors, Elias Gonzalez and Anthony Quesada both lived on the same dormitory floor and would, at times, find themselves singing and harmonizing random songs.

This encounter, plus a challenge from a friend of Quesada’s at Dartmouth College to start an a cappella group at St. Mary’s, led to the group’s formation.

Many may remember them from their fundraiser last semester when they did singinggrams for Valentine’s Day—which proved to be successful.In the past, The Striking Chords has performed songs by Prince Royce, The Temptations, The Jackson Five and even MKTO. They are open to any song in any genre as long as it stays in the theme of their performance.

Members of the on-campus a cappella group, The Striking Chords during their Friday afternoon practice. That group offers “singing-grams” that can be sent to loved ones on special occassions. | Photo by Kyra Littlejohn

The group of about 20 members is excited for this semester because they have an oncampus Halloween-themed concert set for Oct. 24. They hope to fundraise by doing semesterlong singing-grams for any occasion including birthdays or anniversaries.

When asked what is the most rewarding aspect of being part of an a cappella group, junior biology major, Elias Gonzalez has been excited throughout his tenure in the group.

“For me, the best part of being a part of The Striking Chords is just being around like-minded individuals,” Gonzalez said.

“Being able to come into practice and just start singing a song and have this beautiful blending of voices just spring up around me is just really exciting and amazing.”

They are always looking for new members with singing abilities. They ask for prospective members to audition, but their practices are open to anyone who would like to hear their practice or just to stop by and get to know the group.

If anyone is interested in auditioning for The Striking Chords, contact Kendall Pasko via email at kpasko@mail.stmarytx.edu or on Facebook.

FEATURES / 11

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Professor Spotlight: Alan Cirlin, Ph.D. Do you have any hobbies that you’d like to share?

I’ve had hobbies over the years. Playing tennis, bike riding and playing chess. I wonder if I could even win a chess game anymore.

Travel and studying the German language. Taking care of my wife is basically my hobby these days.

Photo by Mat Martinez

Alan Cirlin, Ph.D. 4Professor of speech communications 4Office: Treadaway 373 4Email: acirlin@stmarytx.edu 4M.A., Speech Communications, California State University, Northridge 4Ph.D., Human Communications Theory, University of Iowa What made you want to become a communications expert?

It was the route of least resistance. I was in college, and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, and I had options.

The one that I seemed to enjoy the most was being a debate coach, since I had debated in college and enjoyed it. I won a national championship.

It led me down a path on taking communication courses, which led to a degree in communication and a Ph.D in communication….

Who is your favorite public speaker?

There are so many good ones out there. I don’t have a favorite per se.

Martin Luther King, John Kennedy and Winston Churchill.

Is there anyone who has a speaking style that you try and emulate?

Not particularly. I believe in a very conversational style getting communication across.

There are a lot of speakers who are overly flowery. I don’t go for that. I admire Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, but it was a very

special occasion. A funeral dedication. That allowed for the occasion of a flowery oratorical “Four score and seven years ago.” Who talks like that in regular life?

Is there a favorite music group or singer that you’d like to see live?

David Bowie. He’s the musical equivalent of Picasso. He’s recreated himself in styles and so many ways.

Do you collect anything?

I collect all kinds of things. I’m a packrat from way back. Books, journals music. Every time I’m traveling, I stop some place at a local music store and find out what’s hot. I’ll add some CDs to my collection.

You’ve mentioned you’ve traveled, where have you visited?

I’ve visited 30 to 40 countries at this point.

Let’s see, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Brussels, Luxemburg, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Russia, Greece, Israel, Switzerland and Spain. I’ve lost count at this point. Canada, Mexico, Japan, the Caribbean Islands and Singapore. I’d like to get to Africa and South America at some point.

Any other random facts about you?

I enjoy life. My biggest pride is taking care of my students and making sure they come out stronger than when they came in. I want to leave them with something usable and powerful to them.

Life’s been good to me. I can drop dead right now and I’d have no regrets. I could do better, but I’ve done as well as I need to to have a clear conscience.

Everything else in (life) is gravy.

Compiled by: Joshua Madrid

REASONS FOR MISSING CLASS Part of the college experience is wisely choosing when to miss class. Here are some of the better reasons students have sacrificed their precious unexcused.

Sophomore biology major, Alma Moreno: “I missed class to join an immigration riot in Austin.”

Senior English and communication arts major, Brian Magloyoahn: “I missed class to go see the Spurs practice.”

Senior business management major, William McVay: “To see a civil war reenactment.”

Sophomore political science major, Emily Garcia: “Stress hives.”

Sophomore English and communication arts major, Tyler Dudley: “My roomate’s car got towed. I had to take her to the impound.”

Junior biology major, Jasmine Morales: “Breaking Bad marathon.”

Junior forensic science major, Celeste Torres: “My favorite band’s concert in Austin.”

Sophomore psychology major, Kim Pimental: “Sister went into labor.”

Compiled by: Sofia Zanetta

Student intern campaigns to elect LaHood for District Attorney Tamara Garcia Managing Editor @tamvicgar Few students can say they help run a campaign for a local candidate for District Attorney.

Alexandra Zepeda, senior criminology major, began last summer as an undergraduate intern at The Law Office of LaHood & Del Cueto and ended it as one of three campaign coordinators for Nicholas Lahood’s campaign for District Attorney.

“I found out that he was running for district attorney (as an intern), and I asked if I could work on his campaign as a campaign coordinator and he

put me on board,” Zepeda said.

Lahood, who graduated from the university with his B.A. in finance and financial services and went on to receive his juris doctorate from the law school, is running for District Attorney of Bexar County.

As a campaign coordinator, Zepeda has done everything from scheduling appointments for Lahood to volunteering at charity events with Lahood and the rest of the campaign team.

“Knowing that you put so much trust in an individual to change your community in a positive way is the best experience I’ve had,” Zepeda said. “If he sees something broken, he wants to fix it. He

takes the initiative to be out in the community.”

Zepeda hopes to graduate from law school and begin working as a prosecutor at the district attorney’s office under Nicholas Lahood, if he wins in the upcoming elections, and eventually work her way up to become district attorney herself.

“I’ve seen (the justice system) as a prosecutor. I’ve seen it as a magistrate judge, and I’ve seen it as a defense attorney. There’s real people that we represent,” Lahood said.

After working with Lahood and learning from him, Zepeda is looking forward to establishing herself as an attorney who

Alexander Zepeda organizes campaign event from the commons.

Photo by Tamara Garcia

wants to help improve the Bexar county justice system.

“I’ve always been in love with the law,” Zepeda said. “After years of experience under my belt as a prosecutor, I would like to be district attorney.”

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COMIC SUPER FORCES FACE OFF IN MEDIA Brandon Leonard Web Designer Although DC doesn’t run short when it comes to icons, that is all they are: perfect, unrelatable icons. DC has a nasty habit of making their characters out to be God-like.

On the contrary, Marvel is good about having relatable characters and creating a diverse roster to cater to all interests.

Geeky unpopular kids can relate to Spider-Man. While anyone with a disability can identify with the blind vigilante Daredevil. The LGBT community is represented by practically the entire team of the Young Avengers.

In addition to having super-relatable characters there are also a lot of genres to choose from. Read the Avengers if interested in giant battles and attacks deciding the fate of the world, or read about The Runaways who just deal with trying to remove the super gang scene in L.A. In DC, characters do not deal with the consequences of their powers.

Superman is just insanely, unreachably perfect and invulnerable. The Flash is just really good at going fast.

Marvel makes their characters deeper by forcing

them to face the consequences of their powers. The X-Men franchise especially revolves around the discrimination that comes from being a mutant.

DC comics are notorious for being consistently misogynistic.

Many popular female characters in the DC universe are merely female versions of male counterparts (Batgirl, Supergirl, Batwoman) and lack original design.

Granted they do have Wonder Woman who is one of the strongest female characters in comics. One great character, however, does not make up for the blatant amounts of misogyny over the years.

During the giant reboot of the DC universe known as The New 52, DC Comics decided to clean house in production as well and hired new professionals for the comics creative teams.

In the slew of these new artists, story boarders and writers, the percentage of women in creative teams dropped from a measly 12 percent to a downright appalling 1 percent.

Marvel also has a much better way of reaching people who aren’t diehard fans. Marvel has released 34 movies since 2000. Most of them have been popular with general audiences compared to DC, who only has the Batman franchise.

Marvel is making big moves to pump out a lot of films, and the best part is that they all relate to each other, creating what is known as “The Marvel Cinematic Universe.”

These movies have successfully brought in more fans to the comic genre than would have otherwise become interested in the world of superheroes and villains.

Robert Hernandez Contributing Writer We are a DC Nation.

It’s time to straighten this feud between Marvel and DC out.

Yes, Marvel is fun. Its movies are awesome, but, as a comic book company, Marvel is not measuring up to DC these days.

On the other hand, DC comics rebooted all of their comic book titles back in 2011 just to retell the origin stories that were lost to new readers.

The reboot, named “The New 52,” created a new environment for novice and veteran readers to revisit the beginnings of a variety of stories, including The Flash, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and The Justice League.

In case that was not enough content for readers, DC also reintroduced sister company characters Vertigo and Wildstorm into their comics.

This brought some diverse characters from the classic Gen 13 series and the gay super-couple Apollo and Midnighter.

Unlike Marvel, DC does not need a partnership with Disney to help with animation.

It has run several successful animated shows such as Batman: The Animated Series, Static Shock, Teen Titans, Justice League and Young Justice.

Also, DC has a multitude of independent superhero animated movies, all of which showcase an animation style that wouldn’t be seen in shows presented with the Disney “seal of approval.”

It isn’t just about the animated

Photo-Illustration courtesy of Brandon Leonard and Mat Martinez.

TV shows and movies when it comes to comic book company super-giants.

It is very much about the comic books, the essence of these companies.

DC has started an ongoing series for Haley Quinn, a popular comic book antihero. They are also more progressive in their female representations in superheroines such asBatgirl in the new ongoing series.

Gail Simone, writer for Batgirl, was offered her job because of her website, Women in the Refrigerator, where she wrote about the mistreatment of female characters in comics. Simone’s take on Batgirl reflects a sense of comedy and wit that has been well received.

Making a good choice in comics is not something that comes overnight.

DC comics has many new series running including Batgirl, Superman and Wonder Woman.

All of these stories are new and fresh, so it serves not only as a reintroduction to some of the more popular characters, but also as an intriguing new direction in these well-known stories.

Photo-Illustration courtesy of Brandon Leonard and Mat Martinez.

New app encourages anonymous gossip around university campuses Valerie Saenz Contributing Writer @sunshinevale

A popular new anonymous posting app is making big splashes in college campuses nationwide, including the St. Mary’s campus.

In Dec. 2013, two college students launched a new app called Yik Yak which is generating buzz and gaining popularity because it allows users to make anonymous 200-character posts— called “Yaks”— that reach people within a 1.5-mile radius.

The app generally targets college students (carrying a

17+ rating) since the creators claim the population is better for this kind of anonymous posting app.

The app allows users to post their “Yaks,” appearing in their “My Yaks” section, all while staying anonymous.

Their Yaks will appear in the 1.5-mile radius of other people who also have the app.

Yik Yak runs under the same operation as many other social media sites, allowing the users to vote up or down for the “Yaks” they see.

With ups and downs being cumulative, the aim to create well-received Yaks becomes somewhat competitive. Yik Yak is a place that opens up

the community and fosters witty humor.

The app is free to download for both Apple and Android users and automatically takes up the user’s location.

Because it targets college students, if near any universities the “Yaks” of the entire university community are shown.

The popularity of this app is mainly due to word of mouth. Currently, this app has reached the St. Mary’s campus community and is gaining momentum among students.

Numerous students are finding random, interesting and hilarious things to post.

ate our room “When y ts le za and buys piz u the some, yo e v a h u o y #StMU” real MVP

“What’s the difference between my test and my girlfriend?

I didn’t cheat on my test!”

“That momen t when you see the per son yaking as wel l.”

stmurattlernews.com

Student-directed play helps raise suicide awareness St. Mary’s theater group brings a piece to campus that outlines contemporary issues regarding suicide and depression.

Alondra Garcia Contributing Writer Marleyne Hernandez, senior English major and drama minor, has worked in the theater department throughout her three years of college, has taken the directing helm for the first time with “The Girl in the Mirror.”

Hernandez states that she envisioned the play as ‘happy and upbeat’ but developed a focus on depression.

“Suicide rates are going up, especially among teenagers and young adults,” Hernandez said.

“The Girl in the Mirror” introduces Susan Connors, a high school student that attempts suicide after going through depression, a break up and her parents’ divorce. Throughout the play, Susan’s conscience shows her the events that led up to her suicide or let herself go.

The actress playing Susan Connors, Brianna Minjarez, freshman sociology major, said the hardest part about acting Susan’s character is putting herself in the character’s shoes because she is not going through Susan’s major issues.

“Susan…struggles with opposing forces in her life,” Minjarez said. “I feel that it can relate to anybody because everyone in their life at some point has

ENTERTAINMENT / 13

felt alone.”

Samantha Nguyen, freshmen undecided major, plays Susan’s conscience in the play and works closely with Minjarez since they live in the same residence hall.

“My character is pushing for Susan to live,” Nguyen stated. “I have to show her what she’s missing out on. I’m seen throughout the play. I’m a tangible character. You see the conflict between two people versus just the voice in your head, which is nice.”

Valerie Dominguez, junior marketing major, who play’s Susan’s doctor, encourages people to watch the play because it relates to current tragic events, such as Robin William’s tragic suicide.

This play walks the audience through the emotions that people may feel regarding suicide.

“I think the show will tell people you need to listen to others and what’s going on in their life, and, even though it doesn’t seem like a big deal to you, it might be to them, so you just need to be there for them,” Dominguez said.

The showing times for “The Girl in the Mirror” are at 8 p.m. Oct. 23–25 in Pecan Grove.

Tickets are only $5 for students and staff. Hernandez also asks University students to get involved with the theater department.

The theater department is always looking for anyone who can help run the technology side of the play and who can help build the stage.

Local art museum celebrates Diego Rivera, famous Latino muralist Sarah Ellis Contributing Writer @sellis2013 The San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) has an installation of pieces from Mexican artist Diego Rivera—titled “Diego Rivera in San Antonio”— in their Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art that celebrates Latino culture in San Antonio.

There are a total of nine pieces on display in the museum

ranging from one of Rivera’s first known paintings in the United States to his last. Most of Rivera’s work depicts life for Latinos and related politics throughout the early 1900s.

Rivera is primarily known for the murals he painted as part of the Mexican Mural Movement in the 1920s with his work alongside other artists such as Jose Orozco and David Siqueiros.

This makes him an important Latino icon but moreover

a historic figure which is inspirational to our youth to this day.

This is the second time that SAMA has had an installation by only Rivera, the last one being in 1996 after the restoration of Rivera’s lost painting “El Albani”.

The painting had not been seen in decades but was discovered in Corpus Christi, Texas during the taping of the TV show “Antiques Roadshow.”

Aside from offering a unique amount of art, the museum also encourages students to volunteer at SAMA by filling out an online application that can be found on their website.

Students would then have the opportunity to get into the museum for free and also help youth outreach programs explore the museum and their exhibits.

The museum is located near downtown at 200 West Jones

Avenue and is open all week except for Monday.

The costs of admission to get into the museum are normally $10, however if students bring in their Rattler IDs, the cost is reduced to $5.

Students are able to get into the museum free on Tuesdays after 4 p.m. and on Sundays until noon. The exhibit is on display till Jan. 31, 2015.

Diego Rivera’s “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park.” | Source: panoramio.com

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New leaders push team in positive direction Analissa Cantu Staff Writer

ALYSSA TARAMONA Junior Soccer Goalkeeper

Exercise and Sport Science When did you start playing soccer?

I started playing soccer when I was four and then continued onto play select when I was 11.

What is your biggest motivation when it comes to preparing for practice or a game? What motivates you to push yourself?

There are several things that motivate me, but my biggest motivation is to glorify God and let His light shine through the way I play. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Him, so I make sure to keep Him the center of my focus, whether I was just scored on or if I made a save. My team and coach also motivate me to become better. They all work hard, and I want to do my part and contribute to the team’s success.

What has been one of your most memorable times playing with the Rattlers?

One of my most memorable times is my first game playing as a freshman. I was the first athlete from my high school to play for any college, so NCAA did not know my high school even existed. It wasn’t until the fourth game of the season that I was cleared to play, and coach let me know by texting ‘Welcome to St. Mary’s soccer.’ I won’t ever forget how pumped I was to finally play.

What is the ultimate goal you hope to achieve during your collegiate career at St. Mary’s?

My ultimate goal is to win conference and try to beat shutout records, both shutouts in a row and the amount throughout the entire season. This will be hard work, but I believe this team can do it!

Compiled by Liliana Espinoza Photo courtesy of www.rattlerathletics.com

After hiring a new head coach, the St. Mary’s cheerleading team seeks to leave behind its previous reputation and start fresh.

“I wanted to make sure we started with a clean slate,” head cheerleading coach Joe Gonzalez said. “Whatever happened in the past is in the past, and we’re starting brand new.”

Gonzalez has 16 years of cheerleading experience, as well as four college national titles and one world title.

Junior political science and international relations major Kimberley Arrieta, cheered on the team her freshman year, and transfered out of St. Mary’s her sophomore year. She decided to rejoin the team as a returning Junior.

“I honestly cannot wait to see what he has in store for us this year,” Arrieta said. “I strongly believe he can turn the team around, and, hopefully, we will get to have a strong cheerleading program.”.

In addition to a new head coach, there are only three girls on the squad who have cheered for St. Mary’s in the past. Of the other eleven cheerleaders, two are freshmen and two are males.

The cheerleading team practices stunting during one of their daily morning practices. | Photo by Danielle Vargas

“Being that we are somewhat of a new team with a new coach, we are all still getting used to each other,” Arrieta added.

“Overall, everyone gets along, and I’m hoping our bond does grow stronger and hopefully we can become better cheerleaders individually and as a team throughout the year.”

A whole new system of cheer tryouts was implemented this season, with cheer hopefuls having to go through an interview before trying out for the cheerleading squad.

According to coach Gonzalez, this helped pick out potential cheerleaders who not only could

perform the physical tasks of cheerleading, but also bring the attitude and personality needed to participate in a cheer squad.

“It’s that will and drive to be spirited and excited when you’re out there that some girls in the past had forgotten,” Gonzalez said in regard to the interview process.

In the past, there were many issues with the St. Mary’s cheerleading squad and their absence at events, which is something Gonzalez acknowledges.

“The only struggle we’re going to have is getting rid of the stigma that the cheerleaders have had before,” Gonzalez said.

“That’s our biggest struggle right now, getting everyone to change the way they think. There’s a lot of negativity from the rest of the University.”

Another issue was planning and scheduling, which Gonzalez is making a priority to fix.

“The girls are given enough time to plan out their schedules.

We know which games we’re going to and what events we’re going to be at,” Gonzalez said.

In addition to improving scheduling with the cheerleaders, Gonzalez also aims to make cheerleading fun, so they’ll want to stay on the team.

“The more fun I can make it for them, the more they want to stay around and the more effort they’re going to put into it,” Gonzalez elaborated.

Gonzalez estimates that the cheerleading program will take about five years to completely turnaround. He felt very enthusiastic about the future of the St. Mary’s cheerleaders, and even said that he has hopes of competing at national championships.

Coach Gonzalez makes it clear that this cheer squad is not the same as the former squad.

“It’s going to change, and it’s going to change for the better,” Gonzalez said.

Libero breaks program’s career digs record Sara E. Flores Sports Editor @stmusarasports Soaring through her final season, senior libero and accounting and management major Victorria Martinez has broken the volleyball program’s career digs record.

The historic moment happened during the team’s match against Texas A&M International on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Martinez said she recalls the moment as a memorable one― one that she admired for the consideration that went into it.

“Russ, our amazing announcer, gave a huge recognition,” Martinez said.

“Also, I know Chad (Peters) and Robin (Johnson) worked hard to recognize me on the video board in the arena.”

Heading into the game, Martinez knew she was close to breaking the record, but had it not been for her 15 seconds of fame, she would not have known about her accomplishment.

“I knew I was very close, but I did not know when I did it,” Martinez said. “My attention was on beating Texas A&M

Senior libero, Victorria Martinez adds another dig to her career high record in a match against Texas A&M International, where the team won the match in three straight games.

Photo by Danielle Vargas

International, not breaking the record.”

Martinez currently has 2,029 digs, leading in first place by 102 digs. Martinez broke Katy Migl Guevara’s career dig record of 1,927.

Katy Migl Guevara graduated

from St. Mary’s in 2006 with a bachelor’s in marketing, and is also the daughter of head baseball coach, Charlie Migl.

Guevara can’t recall the specific moment she broke the program’s record.

“To be completely honest, I had no idea about any records I broke or set while playing at St. Mary’s,” Guevara said. “When I played, that information wasn’t available to us. I found out after I graduated and the record book was created.”

The success of studentathletes partially comes from the strong support and tradition of the alumni.

“I am very happy and proud of Victorria,” Guevara said. “I know the work it takes to get to 1,927 digs. Breaking my career digs record speaks a lot (of) her talent and perseverance.”

Martinez builds the same pride Guevara felt when breaking the record, as she makes her mark in the record books.

“It’s a good feeling knowing each game I’m adding more digs to the record,” Martinez said.

“I like the fact that I am able to bridge the game between the previous record and mine. It feels great knowing I am able to

set myself apart in some way.”

Earlier in the season Martinez strained her adductor―a muscle whose contraction moves a limb or other part of the body toward the midline of the body―preventing her from playing in the match against Our Lady of the Lake and part of the Oklahoma Panhandle State match.

Filling in for Martinez during her injuries was junior libero and exercise and sport science major Tori Estrada.

“Confidence and leadership are key,” Martinez said. “My position strives off of both. A libero needs to constantly take charge of the team’s defense and needs to know they are the best defender on the court. I have complete confidence in Tori― skill-wise she is just as good if not better than me.”

Martinez credits her team for her accomplishments.

“Volleyball is too much of a team sport for me to take credit for all of my accomplishments.

My teammates support my goals on and off the court and willingly provide feedback and advice on and off the court as well. The team really has been my biggest blessing as a student athlete.”

SPORTS / 15

stmurattlernews.com

Former volleyball player battles muscular deficiency Allie Beedle Staff Writer

Former Rattler volleyball player Mikayla Bass’s fears were realized when her muscles were too weak for her to finish a single pushup, let alone play volleyball.

At the start of the fall semester of 2013 Mikayla Bass, then junior criminology major, was the starting setter for the women’s volleyball team, active volunteer for many organizations and President of the Fellowship of a Christian Athlete on campus. But Bass was experiencing muscle weakness and slight difficulty with facial expressions.

Now she’s out of school struggling to get the means necessary for remission from her diagnosed condition: myasthenias gravis.

In December it was apparent to her and her family that something was definitely wrong.

“Over Christmas break I had temporary paralysis in my pointer finger,” Bass said.

At that point she decided to see a neurologist.

Bass still had no diagnosis when the spring 2014 semester started and tried to continue as normally as possible.

“We had no idea … everything

was normal during the fall, but during the spring semester, within the first week, it really started to show,” head coach Jenny Warmack-Chipman said.

Bass could no longer continue to workout with the team due to the extreme muscle weakness.

“When I realized I couldn’t do anything, I couldn’t even do one pushup much less play volleyball, I basically had a panic attack,” Bass said. “I was crying and hyperventilating. I was a mess.”

In late January of this year, after a little over a month and a half of continuous tests and doctors visits, Mikayla finally got a diagnosis—myasthenias gravis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes varying degrees of weakness in the skeletal muscles of the body.

“I was confused and relieved,” Bass said. “Confused because I didn’t know what MG was and relieved because I thought, if I know what it is, it can’t be that bad. It took me a while to realize how serious it was.”

The symptoms of MG include loss of eye and eyelid movement, difficulty with facial expressions, chewing, talking and swallowing.

In the most severe cases, it can even affect the muscles that

control breathing, neck and limb movement.

The most significant fear the doctors and Bass’ family have is what is known as a myasthenic crisis, which occurs when the muscles that control breathing become so weak they are unable to function adequately and the patient requires a ventilator to help them breath.

Since January Bass has tried several treatments offered by both mainstream and alternative medicine. First the doctors tried a series of treatments including: prednisone, intravenous immunoglobin and a thymectomy to remove her thymus gland, which was believed to be sending incorrect instructions to developing immune cells.

After these methods proved ineffective, the doctors suggested some alternative treatments.

Bass underwent 12 different forms of treatment including ozone therapy, acupuncture, the use of krill oil and hydrocortisone.

Because of the intensity of the treatments and the surgery, Bass was forced to take a semester off in hopes that a stress free, relaxing and controlled environment would help with the treatments and send her

Fall scrimmages set high expectations

At the time this picture was taken, Mikayla Bass was a sophomore starting setter fot the school’s volleyball team, setting in the annual breast cancer awarness match against University of Texas at Permian Basin. | Photo by Sara E. Flores

awareness on a serious disease.

The Bass family said they appreciate any donations and prayers, and would like to thank St. Mary’s and the community for all their support.

BATTLE FOR BEAR www.facebook.com/battleforbear

Sara E. Flores Sports Editor @stmusarasports Baseball season is not exactly right around the corner for collegiate sports, but the St. Mary’s baseball team is not wasting any time getting prepared.

The team scrimmaged Temple College on Friday, Oct, 3. Temple College is in the Northern Texas Jr. College Athletic Conference, and they finished third in their conference last season.

St. Mary’s finished fourth in the Heartland conference last season, ending their run in the conference championship series against St. Edward’s.

The team won the 15 inning scrimmage on Friday, 9–7.

Down 6–4 in the 9th inning, the team came back with their powerhouse offense reclaiming the scrimmage.

“It was good to play someone new,” redshirt junior infielder and accounting major Al Gonzalez said. “As well as, seeing how our team plays so that we know what to improve on and perfect by next season.”

With so many additions to the team, come many

into remission.

“I was a little afraid…it was really scary not knowing what the future held,” Bass said.

Unfortunately a semester was not enough, and Bass’s condition continues to worsen.

This August the doctors gave Bass a more desperate option, a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, which involves extracting Bass’s stem cells, then performing a round of chemotherapy and then reinserting her stem cells.

Bass’s doctors hope that, by doing this, Bass’s immune system will regenerate itself.

“It’ll give me the best shot at getting cured,” Bass said.

This treatment, however, is incredibly expensive, and the family is hosting a number of fundraising events, including a golf tournament, silent auction and a “Give Forward” campaign where people can donate money online to help pay for it.

All the information for the events and ways that you can help can be found on the Battle For Bear Facebook page run by Bass and her family at www. facebook.com/battleforbear.

St. Mary’s has the opportunity as a community to come together and help a fellow Rattler studentathlete in need while also raising

In January 2014 at the age of 20 years old Mikayla “Bear” Bass, a former student of St. Mary’s, was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal voluntary muscles of the body. Click the QR code to donate and support the “Battle for Bear.”

MEN’S SOCCER

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Junior catcher and business major, Nathan Schwetner loses mask during a scrimmage against Temple college. | Photo by Sara E. Flores

more contributions. Junior accounting major Mat Smith, had a three-run homerun early in the game, foreshadowing the team’s performance this upcoming season.

Back on the field are significant veterans who are expected to lead the Ratters into a successful season. Returning is senior shortstop and exercise and sport science major, Derek Hamilton, who was out last

season with an injury, and senior second baseman and business management major Mario Maldonado. Maldonado lead the team in homeruns last season with five, and Hamilton, transferring in from Rice in 2013, had a .969 fielding percentage leaving a mark in the infield. see more photos online at STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

Photo by Danielle Vargas

Photo by Danielle Vargas

vs St. Edwards

vs Houston-Tillotson

Leaderboard

Leaderboard

Shots Saves

Goals Shots Saves

L 0-2

Victor Luna (2) Mitchell Kilmer (4)

GAME RECAP

W 6-0

Katie Kasperitis (2) Roxy Cruz Santory (4) Alyssa Taramona (3)

GAME RECAP

16 \ SPORTS

WOMEN’S TENNIS

MEN’S SOCCER

Overall

Conference

Conference

3-3-2 0-0

Doubles

22-4

Singles Win Percentage Kaylin Kruseman .1000 Cristina Lopez .875 Tyra Timm .875 Mariana Rong .857 Felicity Delgado .667 Doubles Win Percentage Delgado/Kruseman .1000 Denton/Timm .1000 Lopez/Rong .1000 Denton/Kruseman .800 Delgado/Wiegand .750 Doubles Win Streak Lopez/Rong W8 Bryant/Wiegand W1 Delgado/Kruseman W1 Denton/Timm W1

VOLLEYBALL

Overall

Singles

32-11

stmurattlernews.com

Conference Rank

4

Goals

1. Ryan Hoskins 2. Victor Luna 3. Jack Wolf

3 3 3

Shots/ Shots on Goal % 1. Victor Luna 21/.333 2. Ignacio Fernandez 3. Ryan Hoskins

1. Mitchell Kilmer

4-3

Doubles

Conference Rank

4

Melissa Heft Kelsey Hueber Lauren Holman

36

140 112 85

Assists

Rachael Scicchitano 280 Kalyn Guthrie 209 Victorria Martinez 18

Victorria Martinez Kelsey Hueber Tori Estrada

14/.500

Saves

29-21

Kills

Aces

Victorria Martinez Kalyn Guthrie Lauren Slaughter

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Singles

6-6

Digs

16/.375

MEN’S TENNIS

268 155 93

11 9 6

16-10

Singles Win Percentage Patrick Schaefer .1000 Adam Dockery .750 Matt Banner .710 Brien Galon .710 Phillip Raickovic .600 Doubles Win Percentage Banner/Schaefer .1000 Dockery/Raickovic .1000 Maciel/Schaefer .800 Banner/Galon .667 Galon/Schaefer .667 Doubles Win Streak Dockery/Raickovic W5 Maciel/Schaefer W4 Banner/Schaefer W3 Foley/Mosseri W1

Overall

4-4

Conference

0-0

Conference Rank

4

Goals

1. Katie Kasperitis 2. Rachel Gurinsky 3. Kristal Williams

7 3 2

Shots/ Shots on Goal % 1. Rachel Gurinsky

23/.609

2. Katie Ksperitis 20/.550 3. Kristal Williams

15/.467

Saves

1. Alyssa Taramona 49

SEMESTER MID

MID

REVIEW

Left to Right: Junior setter and forensic science major, Kalyn Guthrie, freshman defender and engineering science major Kiernan Akers, sophomore midfielder and undecalred major Megan Tomlin, sophomore finance major Philipp Raickovic and junior exercise and sport science major Kerry Wiegand. | Photos by Danielle Vargas STATISTICS COURTESY OF WWW.RATTLERATHLETICS.COM AS OF 10/4/14