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Vol. 106, No. 1 - 09/06/2017

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A S T. M A R Y ’ S P U B L I C AT I O N S I N C E 1 9 2 4

Vol. 106 | Issue 1 | Sept. 6, 2017 | San Antonio, Texas

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SAMANTHA SALAZAR NEWS EDITOR

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PERIGUEUX, THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK? Jamira

RICHARDSON

COPY EDITOR

simply as the “Outback” into “The Village.” While the student body has been swept up into a whirlwind debate about whether Perigueux is a necessary addition for the CONTINUED ON PG. 3

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Perigueux hall in its final stage awaiting completion of outside amenities such as the community pool and landscpaing | Photo by Michelle Michimani

MEET THE NEW VOLLEYBALL TEAM

As the new Perigueux hall welcomes its new tendants, reviews are in for the new St. Mary’s addition on campus. PRO: Reminiscent of a Californian hotel with its muted color palette and sparse grove of palm trees, a pristine new residence hall—branded Perigueux in honor of the birthplace of the Blessed William Joseph Chaminade—looms over the outskirts of the campus, indicative of one of the key characteristics woven through the

mission statement of St. Mary’s: an openness to adaptation and change. The sprawling expanse of Perigueux, comprised of four floors of suite-style rooms —including private bedrooms per resident, two bathrooms, a kitchenette and a fully furnished living room per suite—opened its doors to incoming juniors and seniors this fall, marking the culmination of the first phase of a multi-phase plan to turn the cluster of halls known

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23, is 646 students strong, a substantial increase from previous years. Rosalind Alderman, Ph.D., was an instrumental factor in the size of the newest freshman class. Alderman is the vice provost for enrollment management, an office that encompasses the areas of admission, financial assistance and retention and graduation initiatives. “So, basically, we’re looking at the whole life cycle of a student, from when they start

graduate,” she said. Alderman credits the magnitude of the Class of 2021 to three things: a hardworking team, a new consultant group and an improved marketing communications plan. “I think in this world, you have to be passionate about relationship building and also about the use of data and analytics, because it’s a very sophisticated kind of world of how people look for students,” Alderman said. Although there are several factors that

LIFESTYLE

UPCOMING SEPTEMBER MOVIES

The day before the Fall 2017 semester began, the Greehey Arena was filled with faculty, staff and the second largest freshman class in St. Mary’s history for Academic Convocation. The Class of 2021, as of Aug.

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ST. MARY’S NEW CAMPUS ADDITIONS

CLASS OF 2021: THE NEWEST RATTLERS BRING IN RECORD SETTING NUMBERS

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2 NEWS

EDITOR: SAMANTHA SALAZAR | @STMURATTLERNEWS | SEPT. 6, 2017

THE RATTLER

WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS MEETINGS

TUESDAY, SEPT. 19 UNIVERSITY CENTER Newsroom - UC 258 6 p.m. TUESDAY, OCT. 10 UNIVERSITY CENTER Newsroom - UC 258 6 p.m. TUESDAY, NOV. 7 UNIVERSITY CENTER Newsroom - UC 258 6 p.m. CHECK US OUT ONLINE! Graphic by Samantha Ramos

www.stmurattlernews.com FROM “COVER”

STANDARDS The Rattler upholds the Mission Statements of St. Mary’s University. The publication follows the Canons of Responsible Journalism, the Associated Press Stylebook and the Student Publication Policy. The Rattler is a member of the Associate Collegiate Press, the College Media Association and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

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

EDITORIAL STATEMENT

contributed to the class size of incoming Rattlers, one overwhelming determinant was asking the incoming freshmen to make a deposit earlier. That aspect produced historic results for the Class of 2021; more than 600 students had already made a deposit before mid-May. “That’s unheard of for St. Mary’s, and part of that was simply because we asked them earlier,” Alderman said. One of those students was Emily Bartlett, freshman biology major, who was introduced to St. Mary’s by relatives who have attended and the fact she’s lived in San Antonio her whole life. Bartlett, who has aspirations of becoming a dentist, chose to be a Rattler for St. Mary’s pre-dental program, and due to the small class sizes, the beautiful campus and the family spirit that encompasses St. Mary’s. “As soon as I stepped onto campus I felt welcomed and already a part of the

community,” Bartlett said. Bartlett feels blessed to be part of such a historic group of freshmen and is already looking forward to being involved in the community as a St. Mary’s student. “I love being able to be a part of this community. I know that I will meet amazing people and create friendships that will last a lifetime,” she said. Out of the 646 students that make up the Class of 2021, 21 percent are studying in the Greehey School of Business, 46 percent in the School of Science, Engineering and Technology and 33 percent in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Additionally, out of the class of 2021, 48

“

It feels really cool knowing that this class is one of the largest, in a way kind of like we’re making history.”

Karina Charo, freshman English-communication arts

percent come from the greater San Antonio area, including Karina Charo, freshman English-communication arts major. Charo found out about St. Mary’s through her family. “Many people I look up to attended St. Mary’s and always pushed for me to apply,” Charo said. She ultimately chose St. Mary’s because of her love for San Antonio, the city she was born and raised in, and because of the small class sizes. “I attended small schools all my life, so I’m used to and tend to perform better in smaller environments,” she said. Charo’s St. Mary’s experience thus far has been enjoyable, especially her classes and a newfound freedom. Ultimately, she feels honored to be a part of the record-making Class of 2021. “It feels really cool knowing that this class is one of the largest, in a way kind of like we’re making history,” she said.

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

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

The Class of 2021 partakes in activites during the Zaragoza program before the Fall 2017 semester | Source from St. Mary’s University Social Media


OPINION 3

EDITOR: LOUIE DIAZ | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM | SEPT. 6, 2017 FROM “PERIGUEUX HALL”

wafting over each of the halls located in The Village, it seems false to assert that the disadvantages of the temporary construction fringing the building outweigh the long-term benefits for not only the residents living within the hall but everyone on campus. By attracting the majority of the incoming junior and senior students with its promise of a multitude of new amenities, Perigueux inadvertently provides more housing options for sophomore residents—a unique classification in their inability to remain in the freshmen-only residence halls and their disadvantage in obtaining their first choice residence halls due to the priority selection of upper-level classifications. “Being an incoming sophomore, finding a housing option that fit my needs was an overwhelming task,” said Haley DuPlessis, a sophomore music education and English major. “However, with the addition of Perigueux, I was able to successfully grab a suite over in Leies, making the transition into my sophomore year far less stressful.”

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Michelle Michimani Leyva

However, this is merely one asset among many that Perigueux has to offer for the residents of St. Mary’s, which will become even more evident once the construction of the residence hall reaches its conclusion. The general consensus seems to be that the most anticipated amenity of the hall is the community pool, ironically the underlying cause of the brunt of construction disrupting the campus. Nonetheless, there’s no disputing the advantages a second pool on campus would contribute to the student body, especially for residents who do not wish to endure the walk to the Athletics and Academic Convocation Center. While the pool alone will offer an array of intrinsic benefits for residents, including an outlet for fitness and a welcome refuge from the sweltering San Antonio heat, furnishing its perimeter with lawn chairs and fire pits will distinguish Perigueux as a go-to hot spot for residents to build a sense of community. Despite the financial costs accrued by the ongoing construction, Perigueux’s potential to bring the residents of St. Mary’s together does not only make its addition to campus a smart one, but a necessary one.

Advertising Manager Daria Flowers Design Editor Daniela Gonzalez Web Editor Samantha Ramos Photo Editor Natalia Zuniga Assistant Multimedia Editor Steal Adcock News Editor Samantha Salazar Lifestyle Editor Isabela Vasquez Opinion Editor Louie Diaz Entertainment Editor Elizabeth Arredondo Sports Editor Madison Perales Faculty Adviser Brother Dennis Bautista, S.M., Ph.D.

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.

CHECK US OUT ONLINE WWW.STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

OPINION EDITOR

Construction of Perigueux Hall began last year, and it has opened its doors to residents for the Fall 2017 semester. This newest addition to St. Mary’s is the first stage in the five-stage process to renovate The Village and make St. Mary’s a more premiere university. Perigueux has attracted many residents, with each of its 233 beds filled. While there is still construction around the pool and deck area, Janie Moncada, area coordinator for The Village, says that construction should end in a couple of weeks, just in time for the grand opening on Sept. 8. Perigueux was not built out of necessity. The bulk of St. Mary’s students are commuters, while the rest live in residence halls on campus. While the new hall is a beautiful addition to St. Mary’s, the money allocated to fund this project could have gone toward different avenues like revamping the Diamondback Cafe or renovating Treadaway Hall. A premium dorm comes at a premium price. Perigueux is the most expensive hall to live in with a housing rate of $3,700.

Unless residents don’t mind shelling out the extra money, Perigueux might break the bank for some students. Although expensive, the new residence hall is equipped with a stove and oven on every floor allowing students to have a proper kitchen space to create their own meals. While the amenities in Perigueux are nice, the walk to and from classes is not so pleasant. One can only imagine making the trek to Garni from Perigueux for an 8 a.m. biology course, then imagine forgetting an important textbook midway and making an about-face. The constant back and forth is what many students dislike the most, though they try to manage it as best they could. The big question is whether the juice is worth the squeeze. Is rooming in Perigueux worth the money? It is a beautiful dorm, don’t get it twisted, but not beautiful enough for the price. For example, each suite comes with a kitchenette, yet who’s going to have time to cook? It is a nice addition that residents can use from time to time, but overall, it’s an unnecessary one. That’s what Perigueux boils down to: a premium dorm with a deluxe price tag, filled with a bunch of neat but unnecessary additions, located in the worst possible location.

Transgender military ban: a major setback Louie

Managing Editor Miriam Robles Copy Editor Jamira Richardson

Louie

Diaz

Diaz

OPINION EDITOR

On July 26, President Donald Trump, in a series of tweets announced his policy barring transgender men and women from enlisting in the armed forces, reversing a policy that would have allowed trans members to openly serve, which had been under final review during the Obama administration. The tweets made by Trump claimed “[the military] cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.” This policy immediately drew controversy across the nation from both sides of the political spectrum. “Transgender people are like everyone else and do have pride for their country, even if we have probably the worst president at the moment,” stated Dominique Garcia, freshman business major. The Pentagon has no official data about the total number of trans people currently serving in the military, thanks to their inability to openly serve. However, a 2016 study conducted by RAND Corp., commissioned by the Department of Defense, found there are an estimated 2,150 to 10,000 transgender men and women currently serving in the military, a small slice of the current 1.3 million active duty members. The main concern the Trump administration has are the medical

“

Transgender people are like everyone else and do have pride for their country, even if we have probably the worst president at the moment.”Dominque Garcia,

freshman business major

Source from Twitter: @realDonaldTrump

expenses, yet these costs would barely increase the budget by 0.1 percent. According to the RAND Corp. study, “health care costs would increase by between $2.4 million and $8.4 million annually, representing a 0.04 to 0.13 percent.” While $8.4 million may seem like a ton of money, it wouldn’t even dent the $49.3 billion of 2014’s health care expenditures. This is a huge setback for transgender enlisters. From a libertarian perspective, advocacy for personal freedoms is a core tenant, and trans people should have the right to serve in the military as citizens of the United States. If transgender men and women can overcome the demands of basic training and pass the physical and mental examinations, then they should be able to join the military. “There is no basis for turning trans people away from our military and the ACLU is examining all of our options on how to fight this,” said ACLU, who spoke out against the ban before filing a lawsuit against the discriminatory policy earlier this month.

Another argument some people use in support of the ban is the mental instability of trans people, referring to the suicide rate (41 percent among transgender men and women, compared to nearly five percent of the overall U.S. population, according to a study conducted by the Williams Institute at UCLA Law). While the suicide rate is higher among the transgender population, it is mainly due to violent bullying and ostracism by their families and friends. “Pushing [transgender people] out of the military may increase the suicide rate because it furthers isolation,” said Amanda Zamudio, a junior biology major. “I think it’s about the willingness [of transgender members to fight for their country] and it’s a courageous thing to do.” Serving in the military is a courageous, honorable and noble duty. It’s a job that not everyone is willing and able to perform. Infringing upon the rights of those who wish to serve is quite frankly a pathetic and low attack that will be met with “fire and fury (and lawsuits).”


We asked freshmen students their biggest concerns about moving away from home for the first time into college life. Luckily, the St. Mary’s family is more than happy to share survival skills that will help with the success of new students. Here is what the experts have to say about these issues:

•Bring stuff that reminds you of home to your dorm. Having a piece of home will make the process of adapting to dorm life go more quickly. •Do NOT call home every single day. Doing so will make you miss your family even more and will make you want to go home.

Stephan ie Moron es, junio criminal r justice m ajor, sho what ma wing kes her ro om hom | Photo b e. y Daniela Gonzale z

•Video chat your family every once in a while. Seeing their faces will be more comforting than just hearing their voices.

It’s very normal for students to feel homesick the fir st few months of colle ge. This is actually one of the main factor s that caus e students to be unsuccessf ul in their classes, or even le ads them to drop out.

•Your room should NOT be the place to work or study. It should be your space to rest, not to stress. Instead, go to the library or the study rooms for a better studying environment. •Never procrastinate on your work. Make sure to focus and be on top of deadlines to finish your work. •Don’t be afraid to ask to join a study group. Study groups exist because there are students just as confused as you are. Plus, more people means less work to do.

dyajor, stu hology m Gonzalez c y s p re Daniela sophmo ampos, hoto by Cecilia C lume library. | P eB ing in th

Schoolwork at the univer sity level tends to be one of the most time-consum ing things for students. It can also be one of the most stressfu l things that can take a toll on them . It is important for students to ha ve a strategy to tackle the worklo ad in a smar t way.


•Find an outlet that will help you release the stress and anxiety from school. Go to the gym, the pool, or join organizations. •If you feel like you need a support system, go to the Student Counseling Center. They are trained professionals that can help. •If you’re religious, attend the masses on campus to seek spiritual comfort and help ease your anxiety.

la Gonzalez

Photo by Danie

udents hen st e of w s e tim ur will be el the press imes, There t e f those r t to will sta sses. During main calm la re r take their c or tant to ty ove hat p ie x im n a t s ’ t it than le t only could or k r e h t w o ra inds. N r k and their m eir schoolwo could also th affect nce, but it lth. a ea r perfo m heir mental h t t affec

•Eat breakfast. Make sure to have something in your stomach to give you strength and energy for the day. •Avoid fast food as much as possible. Many students gain the Freshman 15 because they don’t look at their diets. The Diamondback Cafe offers healthy options that will prevent you from gaining weight.

r health fo r u o y e k s Never ta u must alway o Y . and granted r mental o u o y f o take care alth in order t he college. physical in l fu s es r be succ priority on you t u Never p over your self. rk schoolwo

•Drink more water than soda. It’s very easy to be tempted by the fountain drinks, but it is not healthy. Treat yourself to soda once in a while.

Maria Lopez , sophmore bio salad bar a healthy optio logy major, stopping by n. | Photo b y Daniela G the onzalez

•Living with your best friend is NOT always the best choice. Just beliving students cause you get along well does not mean t s o m time or eir fir st th your living styles will always be the F is , s h u amp space wit same. Find someone else that is similar to on-c g in v li sharing a lse. Some may you in your living aspects. e t. It’s someone e may no m o s •Communicate with your roommate about rules for each other. t u b , ood enjoy it t to have a g , n ta Consider the Roommate/Suitemate Agreement as a contract. r o p im ely tes •If you don’t like your roommate, do NOT hesitate to change rooms when it becomes available. You are paying for that living space, so you must enjoy it to the max.

mma extrem with roo living ip h s n o ti rela ring a will be sha since you whole year. space for a


6 LIFESTYLE

EDITOR: ISABELA VASQUEZ | @STMURATTLERNEWS | SEPT. 6. 2017

Turning over a new social leaf in college and how to do it ISABELA VASQUEZ LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Being anti-social can be difficult, especially in a new environment where there is an expectation to make friends. College freshmen often feel like they have to make friends because everyone else around them does, but sometimes it doesn’t work out, which can lead to loneliness. This feeling of loneliness can be intensified when students feel as though they are trying hard to make friends but there is a gap between them and the rest of the world. Since anti-social people can seem disinterested in making friends, people tend to stay away from them, thinking they can not be bothered. It can be difficult to make friends when others refuse to approach, so many freshmen might blame it on nervousness, anxiety or a disinterest in meeting new people. However, everyone needs a friend or two. Here are some tips for the anti-social freshman or anyone else, on making friends: 1. Disinterested students should not believe the idea that joining a million clubs and organizations will help them make friends. The typical student will be too busy to attend every meeting. Instead, students should look for something they are actually interested in. If they join organizations they are not interested in, they will only be wasting their time. Even if their roommate, classmate or high school acquaintance insists on trying it, students should not join too many organizations if it does not suit their schedule or interests. 2. Students should not feel pressured to make a million friends right off the bat. It can be easy to be swept into so many groups, but at the end of the day, it is more important for students to enjoy the friends they are with. They should surround themselves with

Graphic by Samantha Ramos

people who share their moral values and make them feel comfortable. 3. Students should not expect every single person to be a friend. Some people will enter their lives to teach them how to let go.

Back to school esstentials to grab at the bookstore today

4. Freshmen should study outside of their dorm rooms. Take advantage of the study lounges in the dorms. It may not be the quickest way to make friends but it can lead to at least one social interaction, even if it is just a hello.

5. The best thing for freshmen to do is find one or two friends they genuinely enjoy and hang out with them. They should push themselves a little to make plans, even if it is just to sit together and scroll through Twitter. Every social interaction counts.

Dormfriendly microwave recipes ISABELA VASQUEZ LIFESTYLE EDITOR

| Photo by Natalia Zuniga

ISABELA VASQUEZ

Back-to-school shopping can be stressful and expensive, but thankfully, the St. Mary’s bookstore carries everything a student might need for their upcoming semester. Students also have the opportunity to use a $650 stipend, known as the bookstore charge, to purchase anything located in the bookstore. Anything they sell at the bookstore is fair game. Due to its central location, the bookstore is a quick and convenient. There is so much to buy, and while some things might not be worth the price, others are quite accessible and cost-effective for students. Here are the best things to buy at the bookstore:

1. Bluetooth speakers -These inexpensive, portable speakers are good for playing music for a solo dance party or having a movie night with friends. 2. Snacks and drinks -The bookstore carries a wide selection of drinks and snacks. Just grab some and go, go, go to class. 3. Phone chargers and headphones -Stop by the bookstore to purchase them quickly. They are conveniently located in front of the registers. 4. Gift cards -These can be convenient as a last minute birthday present for a friend or even for a quick meal. Unfortantely, gift cards are not available for purchase with your bookstore accounts.

1. Microwave Baked Potato • Wash potato in cold water and poke holes with a fork •Wet and wring out paper towel • Wrap potato in the paper towel • Microwave five to six minutes on high, flipping potato halfway • Unwrap and let potato cool • Cut in half and add toppings (optional) • Enjoy!

2. Sriracha Salmon • Rinse salmon in cold water • Place salmon skin side up on a plate, season with salt and pepper • Mix two tablespoon of mayo and two tablespoon of sriracha • Spread mixture on salmon • Microwave for three and a half minutes • Check middle to make sure salmon is cooked through • If not cooked through, cook for 30-45 seconds • Enjoy!


ENTERTAINMENT 7

EDITOR: ELIZABETH ARREDONDO | @STMURATTLERNEWS | SEPT. 6 , 2017

“Annabelle: Creation” The superior sequel that delivers terror

Source from Warner Bros. Pictures

ELIZABETH ARREDONDO ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

For many horror movie fanatics, the inability of films to truly intrigue and scare an audience has become disappointing. While it has been quite a while since a really good horror film has been shown in theaters, 2013’s “The Conjuring” was an exception. “The Conjuring” is where the doll Annabelle first makes an appearance, serving as a platform for the spinoff in which the doll is the main character, along with the demon possessing it. The first installment of “Annabelle,” which came out in 2014, left many horror movie fans disappointed due to its poor

job of making the doll of Annabelle as terrifying as it should have been. With this being said, it is no surprise that there were low expectations for the sequel, “Annabelle: Creation.” A good horror movie should make the audience’s hearts stop, keep them on the edges of their seats, and make it hard for them to sleep at night. To many of the viewers’ surprise, “Annabelle: Creation” was one of those rare sequels that far exceed the original. “Annabelle: Creation” is about a former toy maker, Sam Mullins, his wife, Esther and the 7-year-old daughter they had lost to a tragic car accident 12 years before. The Mullins family decides to welcome a nun and six orphaned girls into their California

farmhouse, so Mr. Mullins instructs the orphans not to enter any locked doors or explore other areas of the house. The girls do not heed his warning, especially poliostricken Janice and her friend Linda, who are alienated by the older girls and forced to bunk together. Terror strikes when Janice sneaks into a forbidden room and discovers that it once belonged to the Mullins’ dead daughter. She unlocks the closet and finds a doll that ends up taking on a life of its own. Director David F. Sandberg did a fantastic job bringing in the suspense and terror that was lacking in the first movie. There were also many twists that kept the audience of “Annabelle: Creation” on the edges of their seats. This movie is intriguing

enough to make anyone’s heartbeat race. The best part of “Annabelle: Creation.” however, were the references to both “The Conjuring” and the first “Annabelle.” The sequel answers any questions the audience might have had from the first movie, and while everything is connected, one does not need to see the previous movies in the series to understand or enjoy “Annabelle: Creation.” Overall, this is a movie highly recommended for horror fanatics and those brave enough to watch horror movies. It was a well-executed scary movie that did a great job of putting genuine fear inside of the audience. This movie proves that there is potential for more scary movies to come in the future.

Movie Premiers in September

September 8th

September 15th

September 15th

September 22nd

Source from CBS Films, New Line Cinema, Marv Fims, & Sidney Kimmel Entertainment

Spring 2017 Student Art Exhibit shows how creativity can truly inspire all ELIZABETH ARREDONDO ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Student created art pieces, were on display in the Louis J. Blume Library. | Photos by Natalia Zungia

In the student art exhibit, the art department showcased pieces created by students enrolled in studio art courses during the Spring 2017 semester. The artwork to be displayed in the exhibit was selected by St. Mary’s faculty. According to Brian St. John, chair of the art department, the purpose of this exhibit is to “inspire others, show the creativity that is taking place on campus and to show what the students have learned in class.” The student art exhibit is held once a semester and students are allowed to submit pieces, though it is not required. The art pieces come from classes in the art department, including drawing; painting; design; sculpture; photography; color theory; print making; two-dimensional design and three-

dimensional design. For example, the color theory class is creating Student ceramic piece on display in art show. | Photo by Natalia Zungia a panel piece that will go into the new residence hall once it is completed. This exhibit allows not only art education majors to have pieces on display, but also students who are taking art classes for a core requirement. This means that students from all over campus have the opportunity to display their pieces in the show. The next exhibit will be at the end of the semester, inside the Blume Library and will showcase artwork from students all over St. Mary’s.


8 SPORTS

EDITOR: MADISON PERALES | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM | SEPT. 6, 2017

Volleyball team bumps into new beginnings The returners from the 2016 volleyball team shown above showcases how the team is entering the 2017 season with new additions and mentality to dominate the court. | Photo By Tony Morano

MADISON PERALES SPORTS EDITOR

Coming off a split 2016 season, the St. Mary’s volleyball team looks to make a change this upcoming season. With just seven returners on a freshmen-heavy, 19-woman squad, they believe making conference is a very strong possibility. Led by seniors Tarine Grace, management major and Allison Rose, exercise and sports science major, the team plans on working on their execution and defense while honing their strong offense.

“Defense was what we lacked last year. If you look at our roster, we have recruited a lot of defensive players. We had all the pieces, great players with great ability, but we had third set struggles,” said Rose. Grace said, “Offense was always solid, go up 2 sets, but lose 3-2. We have strong chemistry on and off the court and it makes our offense strong because of it.” With such a freshmen-heavy class, the seniors are excited to see where this young team will take them down the line. “For us, it’s more about ending with a

“Fangcentives” brings fans to the stands MADISON PERALES SPORTS EDITOR

department. Associate Athletic Director Chad Peters and Sports Information Assistant/Marketing Coordinator Brian Magloyoan approached Durham to name the app in its early stages. “Chad and Brian brought the idea up to me and asked what I thought and how the athletes were going to respond to this and I thought it was a great idea,” Durham said. After name options were narrowed down, “Fangcentives” stood alone as the winner. Durham said, “‘Incentive’ stuck because you’re getting incentives to go to the games. You can earn cool water bottles, t-shirts and a bunch of other cool prizes.” The app is available for all smartphone users, is free and fun to use. The next game to check into is Sep 10 at 11:45 a.m. in the Bill Greehey Arena.

An exciting new app broke ground on the St. Mary’s campus in early August. “Fangcentives,” a fan rewards app specific to the St. Mary’s community, is used to check into St. Mary’s sporting events and receive points leading up to prizes. Prizes include small giveaways such as caps and t-shirts, throwback Rattler baseball jerseys and a $1000 cash prize for the first student to reach 1000 points. Aside from the points and prizes, other features include the schedule to all sporting events, a link to Rattler Gear and a leaderboard to see student’s points rank. Taylor Durham, senior marketing major, served as the student’s voice for the app as the marketing intern for the athletics

Source from “Fangcentives” App

bang because we have the possibility to be good. Getting the key points together is what we want,” Grace said. Rose said, “This upcoming class, they’re going to be the ones to rebuild and execute long term. But this year, we all have the chance to execute together and go to conference.” Entering a bittersweet senior year, the girls look to execute key points to make the best of their last season at St. Mary’s. Aside from missing the rush of the game or crunch time wins, the girls agreed their teammates and the St. Mary’s community is what they

will miss the most. The mark they want to leave is not one that goes down in a stat book or talked about in the interviews, but instead a much deeper mark. “A senior once told us when we were freshman, ‘All the accolades and stats go away. The big thing people remember is your relationship and how you treated them.’ We aim to be somebody our teammates can come to,” Rose said. The volleyball team will have their opening home game on Sept. 19 at the Bill Greehey Arena as they take on Our Lady of the Lake University at 6 p.m.


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