Vol 110 Issue No. 06 - 04/03/2022

Vol 110 | Issue 6 | March 3, 2022 | San Antonio, Texas

features an oyster for a head and holds a chicken on a stick while standing next to the words, “Return of the Bake,” serves as a great representation of the upcoming Fiesta Oyster Bake event. Because the pandemic had put the 2021 Fiesta Oyster Bake on hold, those who have attended the event in the past have been waiting for over a year for this event to occur again.

“I look forward to bringing back old memories from Oyster Bake. My Dad got his BBA and MBA from St. Mary’s and my parents and I have gone to Oyster Bake a couple of times in the past when I was a child.

I remember it was a fun time with them and I can’t wait to have fun with friends I have made in my time at St. Mary’s,” Castillo said.

Castillo especially believes the event can help bring the community back together after almost two years of isolation.

“I see Oyster Bake as a chance for the entire community to come together and enjoy being out again. With this being the first time Oyster Bake is back after the pandemic began, it will be a great way to bring back a great tradition and create new memories within the community,” Castillo said. Many have attended the grand Fiesta Oyster Bake event before but for others, this will be their first time.

“I’m looking forward to everything in this Oyster Bake! I’m keeping an open mind for what is to come since it is my first time going to one,” Almanza said. Additionally, as a freshman, Almanza believes the

Graph ic

On Feb. 17, the San Antonio community gathered to witness the unveiling of the Fiesta Oyster Bake 2022 poster. The poster, designed by artist Gedi Kiflezgi, brought much excitement for the nearing of Fiesta Oyster Bake. The grand event had been canceled in previous years due to the rising cases of COVID-19 but will be taking place again this year. Now, Fiesta Oyster Bake leaders like Mike Martinez, 2022 Chairman of Fiesta Oyster Bake; Jose Vela, 2020-2022 President of the St. Mary’s Alumni Association and Shuckie and Pearl, the Fiesta Oyster Bake mascots, helped Kiflezgi reveal the highly anticipated poster which will be used on all 2022 Fiesta Oyster Bake souvenirs. As the clock struck 6:15 p.m., attendees of the event were finally able to get a sneak peek of the 2022 Fiesta Oyster Bake poster.

“The Oyster Bake poster looks super cool. My favorite part of it is the Oyster Bake mascot-themed Yoda holding a chicken on a stick. Chicken on a stick has always been my favorite food at Fiesta,” freshman exercise and sports science major, Matthew Castillo said. Castillo was not the only one who especially enjoyed the Star-Wars Fiesta Oyster Bake-themed poster.

“I think it’s pretty cool! It’s great for the Star Wars fans out there,” freshman biology major, Kathya Almanza said. The Fiesta Oyster Bake Yoda character, which

courtesy of Pete Aq ua do

VICTORIA OLGUIN NEWS EDITOR

CONTINUED ON PG. 2

OPINION

SPANISH

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

PG. 6

PG.10

PG.12

PG.14

Business professor shares his perspective

Van Gogh art exhibit amazes San Antonio

StMU ESA policies called into question

Rattlers remember Buddy Meyer

2 NEWS

EDITOR: VICTORIA OLGUIN | @STMURATTLERNEWS | MARCH 3, 2022 FROM “BELIEVES THE”

experience will help her get closer to her

THE RATTLER

university community. “St. Mary’s is a family-oriented university, so the Fiesta Oyster Bake is important to St. Mary’s

WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS MEETING’S

because it allows for the community to gather around and communicate with one another for this special event,” Almanza said. The event will not only bring the community together through music, food and carnival rides but will support students

MARCH 1, 5 P.M.

with scholarships and quality education through

ZOOM ID: 447 575 7359

funded

university

programs.

Each ticket purchased will help support the education of students at St. Mary’s university. It is evident of how special this

16 priceless star wars jokes on the internet you need to read What do you call a rebel princess who only shops at Whole Foods?

Leia Organic.

What is Admiral Ackbar’s favorite type of music?

Trap.

Where did Luke get his cybernetic hand?

The second hand store.

What do you call an eel that loves the new Star Wars trilogy?

A More-Rey Eel.

Where does Princess Leia shop for Father’s Day? At the Darth Maul.

What do you call two Han Solos singing together?

Han Duet.

Why couldn’t Luke find love?

He was looking in Alderaan places.

What Star Wars character sells hotdogs?

Admiral Snackbar.

What was Lando’s nickname before he became a skilled pilot?

Crashdo.

How does Darth Vader like his toast?

On the dark side.

Why does Princess Leia keep her hair tied up in buns?

So it doesn’t Hang Solow.

What position does Darth Vader play in baseball?

The Umpire.

Is BB hungry?

No, BB-8.

Does R2D2 have any brothers?

Nope, only transistors.

Why was the droid angry?

People kept pushing its buttons.

What did Yoda ride as a kid?

A do-cycle. Because there is no tri.

event is to the San Antonio and St. Mary’s community and the 2022 Fiesta Oyster Bake Yoda Poster will now hold memories of this special celebration for years to come.

CHECK US OUT ONLINE! www.stmurattlernews.com

To learn more about the Fiesta Oyster Bake celebration, purchase tickets or volunteer for the event, visit https://oysterbake.com.

Crossed lightsabers from Star Wars. | Graphic by Julissa Mariscal.

First-ever mock trials team on campus becomes available 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.

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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.

VICTORIA OLGUIN NEWS EDITOR

In an empty room, students dressed in business attire begin to arrive, briefcases in hand. They greet other students, then move to their designated tables where they manage the evidence in their briefcases.

They quickly discuss any last-minute details and wait for the start of the grand event. The room then silences as the judge walks in and takes a seat at the front of the room. After the opening statement, cross-examinations, objections and a closing argument, the case has been closed. This is what students all over the country prepare for every year.

Pre-law students, political science majors and even students from very different studies gather to form mock trial teams, where they prepare all year-round to compete in a simulated trial with fictional cases. Instigated by the requests of students, St. Mary’s University has now started its very first Mock Trials team, and the opportunity will enable many to acquire the skills necessary for their career goals. Students will have the chance to learn about the legal system and federal laws in order to argue for both the prosecutor and defendant sides. The team will spend a lot of time preparing, traveling and competing together, and will constantly practice their skills of communication and critical thinking. They will also have the chance to present cases in front of real attorneys and judges and receive feedback

on their performances. Many students have already been looking forward to joining the team.

“I’ve always wanted to be an attorney and I feel it’s super beneficial for me to be a part of this group. And the same goes to anyone interested in law,” sophomore finance and risk management major, Ethan Stein said. “I hope to learn how to be the best trial attorney I can be. I want StMU Law school. | Photo courtesy of Adrianna Mirabal. to take such an amazing opportunity on how a witness should behave and act,” to learn from experienced attorneys and freshman business management major, eventually compete and test my knowledge. Fatima Zepeda said.

I want to become the best, and in order to As a witness, students will have the role do that, I have to learn from those who are of playing a character and acting out the successful. And what better way to do that facts of the case. While one student may than to learn with some of your friends and perform very well on a team, the success peers? That’s what I really hope to get out of of the team depends on the performance of this team,” Stein continued. everyone. It is for this reason that the Mock Though the team can accept many Trials team is planning to start preparing its students, the team will be divided into team members to gain the necessary skills groups of six, where there are three attorneys needed before competing. and three witnesses in each group. A group “This team is going to practice for of six students will then compete with roughly about a year so that everyone on the another group of six students from another team has enough time to learn the process university. Both the role of being an attorney and polish their skills. Then from there, we or a witness has different responsibilities. look forward to competing against other The role of being a witness has caught the mock trial programs in competitions,” Stein eye of many students who enjoy acting. said. The team now welcomes all students “I would like to be a witness because this interested in joining the team, regardless of could help me gain experience in the future. their studies.

“Really I feel anyone can come into It doesn’t hurt to try something new, and it could help me with a future role I might this and get a number of things out of have. It helps me with my acting by learning this. I really just can’t wait to get started,” new acting skills, and it gives me experience Ethan said.

NEWS 3

MARCH 3, 2022 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences welcomes new dean in June VICTORIA OLGUIN NEWS EDITOR

have already been looking forward to

important and can help

meeting the new dean.

achieve this goal.

“It’s

important

to

As a university that educates for service,

“To welcome a new dean means a

justice, peace and integrity of all creation,

realm of new possibilities, both in terms

practice diversity, equity

St. Mary’s University is constantly searching

of academics and leadership. It means

and inclusion by teaching

for staff and faculty who help improve on

opportunities

student

about cultural differences

these aspects. On June 1, the university

abilities in each major and the College of

and accepting that people

will welcome Nancy LaGreca, Ph.D., as

Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences as a

of all races and cultures

the new dean for the College of Arts,

whole,” freshman criminal justice major

are human and deserve

Humanities and Social Sciences. She will be

Matthew Pierce Ruble said.

to be respected,” Ruble

coming from the University of Oklahoma located in Norman, Oklahoma where she was a professor of Latin American literature and culture.

LaGreca received her undergraduate degree at the State University of New York.

She then received both her master’s and

to

demonstrate

“

To welcome a new dean means a realm of new possibilities, both in terms of academics and leadership.”

Matthew Pierce Ruble freshman criminal justice major

said. The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

has

offered

many liberal arts courses in the past and will continue to do so in order to provide students with a

Ph.D. degrees at the University of Texas

“Having a new dean for the college

wide range of knowledge,

at Austin. As a first-generation college

could be a chance for many new things

allowing them to think

student, she has practiced inclusion in the

to take place. I’m excited to see what Dr.

critically

classroom as a professor and has supported

LeGrace could bring to the college. It could

diversity and inclusion.

diversity, equity and inclusion in education.

mean a new beginning or chances for

“The liberal arts exposes you to all

Besides being a professor, LaGreca has

new opportunities all around,” freshman

academic disciplines to a certain extent and

Castillo continued. It is evident that

served various roles in the University of

exercise and sports science major Matthew

you create an interdisciplinary relationship

diversity and inclusion in the College of

Oklahoma, like the Faculty Fellow for the

Castillo continued.

and

practice

Portrait of StMU new college Dean. | Photo courtesy of stmarytx.edu.

though our beliefs may not be the same,”

with people who specialize in fields outside

Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences are

Castillo

your major. You get to recognize how

Provost, Associate Dean of the Graduate

appreciate the enhancement of education

each discipline is unique and understand

important for students at St. Mary’s and

College and Chair of Modern Languages,

and

the

how they are able to work together to

Literatures and Linguistics. She hopes to

contributions of LaGreca, St. Mary’s

address complex issues at the same time,”

help make the university a community

believes the College of Arts, Humanities

Ruble said.

that celebrates the diverse Latin American

and Social Sciences will be able to do just

“We are all human and a liberal arts

forward to welcoming LaGreca as the new

heritage found at St. Mary’s. Students at

that. For Ruble, the values of diversity and

education helps me to further realize

Dean for the College of Arts, Humanities

the university appreciate these values and

inclusion that LaGreca shares are especially

that we should respect one another even

and Social Sciences, this coming June.

Office of the Senior Vice President and

Students

like

leadership,

Ruble and

and

through

they appreciate taking various courses in multiple fields. Students cannot wait to enhance this in their education and look

Law students host symposium featuring a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist VICTORIA OLGUIN NEWS EDITOR

As immigrants all over the world come searching for a better life in the United States, many of them find themselves being detained or stopped before achieving their dreams. Their hopes of finding a job to feed their families are quickly put to a pause through the U.S. justice system. Currently, there are more than 200 immigrant prisons and jails in the U.S., where many immigrants remain locked and away from their families. This persisting issue is one that has grasped the attention of many, specifically those in law.

With this in mind, the law journal, “The Scholar,” run by St. Mary’s law students, decided to host a symposium over this issue. Called “2022 Immigration Symposium--Forever a Nation of Immigrants,” the symposium helped educate law students and attorneys in immigration law. Attendees were able to hear immigrant attorneys, leaders and scholars discuss current issues regarding law in the United States. Panelists included American Gateways co-executive director and attorney, Edna Yang; St. Mary’s Clinical Professor of Law, Erica Schommer; immigration attorney, Marisol Perez, J.D.; RAICES director of removal defense, Kathrine Russell; Professor at Ohio State University and author of the national

bestseller, “Migrating to Prison: America’s Obsession with Locking Up Immigrants,” Cesar Cuauhtemoc Garcia Hernandez; Associate Professor at the University of Virginia, S. Deborah Kang; assistant federal public defender, Molly Roth; policy associate and advocate at the National Immigration Law Center, Diana Pliego; policy director at the International Refugee Assistance Project Sunil Varghese; and immigration attorney, Tahmina Watson.

However, a special guest was also able to make an appearance at the symposium.

Pulitzer-winning journalist, national immigration expert and contributing opinion writer for the New York Times, Sonia Nazario, visited St. Mary’s School of Law to discuss immigrant law and the issues surrounding it.

Having written an award-winning novel, “Enrique’s Journey,” over immigration life, Nazario was able to provide enlightening information to many law students at St. Mary’s. The novel “Enrique’s Journey,” shares the true story of a 17-year-old Honduran boy who goes through a dangerous journey to reunite with his mother, Lourdes, in the U.S. At only five years old, Enrique’s Mom, Lourdes, found herself having to leave her starving family to find work in the United States because she could not afford to feed her family in Honduras or provide an education for them. Upon leaving her country, Lourdes

had promised to return to Honduras quickly but found herself staying in the U.S. for 11 years. Enrique, who became lonely and troubled, started to wonder if his mother loved him and begged his mother to come back. After a period of despair, Enrique chose to take action. He then decided to leave his home with only a piece of paper with his mother’s number written on it.

Enrique’s journey quickly became a dangerous one, much like many other immigrant’s journeys. Enrique traveled on top and on the sides of moving freight trains by clinging onto them. Along the way, he came across many thugs, bandits and corrupt cops. Migrants were constantly robbed and killed by bandits and would often lose arms or legs as they jump onto and off of moving boxcars they call “El Tren de la Muerte—The Train of Death.”

This is the trip thousands of children make each year to find their family members in the U.S. Many of them, if not detained or locked in prison, are killed in the process.

In order to effectively capture this story, author Sonia Nazario took the route Enrique took to the U.S. from Honduras herself for three months atop moving boxcar trains. This allowed her to experience the troubling process children go through to reach their families, who move to the U.S. to provide a better life for them. Today, about 100,000 children per year head to

Sonia Nazario. | Photo courtesy of stmarytx.edu.

the United States unlawfully and alone, without their parents. This number has doubled in the past year. The U.S. Congress continues to use the same approach to regulate migration: border enforcement, and long pathways to citizenship. These topics were widely discussed at the St. Mary’s Law 2022 Immigration Symposium, and many students were fortunate to hear from many knowledgeable panelists like Sonia Nazario. To learn more about the St. Mary’s Law Immigration Symposium, visit https://commons.stmarytx.edu/ scholarsymposium/.

Rattlers are all the SAME regardless of race, gender and ethnicity.

One Degree Can Make a World of Difference AT ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY

In life, one degree of change in our thinking can make all the difference in our education, lives or faith.

It only takes one voice to promote peace and justice. One learner to seek the truth. One faithful believer to say yes.

At St. Mary’s University, one degree can make a world of difference.

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6 OPINION

EDITOR: MAKAYLA AMITRANI | @STMURATTLERNEWS | MARCH 3, 2022

University’s emotional support animal policies different from Texas’ Laws MAKAYLA AMITRANI OPINION EDITOR

Graphic

by Kash a Casian o

An emotional support animal, or ESA, is not a pet, but a tool. And while St. Mary’s is a private university, that does not mean the rules do not apply. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website, or HUD, “Housing providers cannot refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary to afford a person with a disability the equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.”

“Because St. Mary’s doesn’t see ESAs at the same level [as] service animals, it’s unfair that because of [a] title they are treated differently. I am forced to keep my kitten locked up all day because I’m legally not allowed to take him out of the kennel if

I’m not in my dorm like when I have class.

I’m forced to basically neglect my animal because of the school’s rules which in turn, is detrimental to my own mental health and to my cat’s health,” said freshman biology major Jennifer Saucedo.

The main points of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s laws on emotional support animals are very simple and every ESA owner and housing provider should be very well-versed in them. The first is that housing providers cannot restrict any animal based on its breed or weight and they cannot charge fees or deposits. Second, housing providers must respond to ESA requests within ten days.

Third, housing providers cannot ask about a specific diagnosis or sensitive details.

Additionally, an ESA request can be made before or after your animal is living with you. And lastly, the help of a third party to care for the ESA is permitted.

“I watched my roommate go through the ESA process and honestly, it was hard to see her go through such an emotionally draining process. Even after she expressed her concerns about everything, Residence Life didn’t seem to care. It took her 22 days to move out of Treadaway because Residence Life refused to move her and 46 days from when she got the paperwork to when she

finally got to bring her dog. Having witnessed everything that happened, I decided to do some research on my roommate’s ESA rights and I found that a lot of the laws in place to protect the rights of those with a disability are being blatantly ignored,” freshman forensic science major Hannah Bermea said.

St. Mary’s emotional support animal guidelines and residence life guidelines are excessive, unaccommodating and are in need of revision. One of the university’s guidelines disregards the rule about asking about a specific diagnosis or sensitive details as the university asks for a “description of the diagnostic tests, methods and/or criteria used, including specific test results and the examiner’s narrative.” It also asks for even more details including “a description of current functional limitations resulting from the disability.”

Another guideline states that students are never allowed to leave their animal unattended overnight, but leaving them all day for classes and work is completely acceptable, “Animals must not be left alone for extended periods (i.e. must be off campus or boarded when resident will not be on staying on campus overnight).”

The last guideline states that the animal is only allowed if all of the previous rules are being followed, “A student may keep a

service/assistance animal in his or her oncampus residence only if the student fully complies with all related university policies, student conduct rules and Residence Life community living standard.”

“Right now my friend is going through a rough patch because of Residence Life and the situation they put her in. Pretty soon, another student with an emotional support dog will be moving in directly next door. A situation that would most definitely cause emotional distress in both my roommate and her ESA. Because of all that, she scheduled a meeting with someone in Residence Life and was requesting that either her or the person next door be moved to a different room and the final answer was that nothing could be done and that an ESAs accommodations are for housing in general, not a specific housing arrangement,” Bermea said.

Most people who do have an ESA have gone through counseling and medication, which is not enough in a lot of cases.

Understanding that when a person obtains an emotional support animal it is because it is necessary. It is important to address the issues within the university’s procedures to help further accomodate students in their college careers.

Students confused about the new mask mandate with rise of COVID cases VIVIAN URRUTIA WEB EDITOR

The face mask policy was implemented at St. Mary’s University in the fall of 2020.

The policy mandates students, faculty and staff to wear their face mask at all times in all indoor facilities. The main intention of the face mask policy is to regulate and control COVID-19 cases. The university has implemented a few policies to try to manage COVID cases by encouraging students to receive both doses of a vaccine, a booster and constantly requiring surveillance testing. However, the unexpected rise of undiscovered variants has made it hard for the university to keep up with the constant changes and surges. According to the

information provided by the university, cases have risen since this past summer and have skyrocketed this spring semester.

With the surge of cases this semester, it is apparent that these numbers influenced the university’s decision to enforce a stricter mask policy. This semester, the surveillance testing was mandatory for student residents and the consequences for not participating in testing would result in a fine of $250.

Having the mask policy in place has been a daily reminder for the St. Mary’s community that COVID is still a huge part of our lives.

Despite this, St. Mary’s students constantly state how inconvenient it is to have to wear a mask every single day on campus.

Studying students wear their masks different ways inside the Commons. | Photo by Adrianna Mirabal

“The university is being too strict with the mask [policy]. The majority of the students and staff have already received the two COVID vaccines and most people are fully vaccinated with the booster.” said Alexandra Foster a sophomore marketing major.

Some students believe the university is being too extreme by taking every measure possible.

Foster confirms how the mask mandate is not being enforced equally around campus, “They are strict only in certain places and it makes no sense. For example, in [the] commons, students barely wear a mask but in residence halls, [resident assistants] take it really seriously where you are barely having contact with others except in your room where you don’t need a mask.”

St. Mary’s students are confused as to why in some spaces, the mask policy is being more enforced than in other spaces.

The mask policy has been a huge issue for students on campus since it started.

St. Mary’s University’s President, Tom Mengler, sent a campus-wide email on Feb. 23 informing students, faculty and staff about the new changes on the mask policy.

“This morning, the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) agreed to ease the University’s face mask requirement on campus in public spaces. Effective Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, face masks will be optional for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, except for students in classrooms.”

The email also stated that, “Faculty who can maintain 6 feet of distance from students in the classroom will have the option of not wearing a face mask when teaching.

Face masks will continue to be required in the Student Health Center. Please also comply with members of our community who request face masks to be worn in their private workspaces. St. Mary’s encourages getting the COVID vaccine, booster, as well as a flu shot, and wearing face masks when feeling ill with any COVID or flu-like symptoms.”

Comments on the issue of working remotely were also addressed in Mengler’s email, “As omicron cases continue to decline on campus, in San Antonio and across the nation, we feel employees can safely return to offices. Remote working arrangements, except for positions authorized to do so under St. Mary’s Telecommute Agreement Policy, effectively end this week. Beginning Monday, Feb. 28, employees should return to working on campus. CIRT will continue to monitor guidance by public health officials and pivot, if necessary, to reinstate the requirements,” Mengler said.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 28, masks will not be required on campus in indoor areas, with the exception of inside the classroom.

Some students agree it is a relief to have the mask policy lifted after two years. Foster responds, “I agree with the changes that the university is making about the mask policies.

I believe that up to this point, it is the best decision because most of the students are exhausted from wearing masks even though they are fully vaccinated.” Having the mask policy removed for most of the campus is one more step towards concluding this longlasting pandemic that has been going on for over two years.

OPINION 7

MARCH 3, 2022 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

Student Counseling Center implements changes to mental health services MAKAYLA AMITRANI OPINION EDITOR

At St. Mary’s University, mental health care has not always been accessible but has improved. At the beginning of the fall semester, some students expressed their concerns about the timeline to get a counseling appointment, some saying the next available appointment was a month away. Now, the Student Counseling Center has made much-needed improvements to the appointment issue. While this one issue has been corrected, there is still a long way to go before the department can call themselves accessible.

“I think mental health is extremely important for everyone but especially college students. It is a time in our life where we face a lot of stress in our social lives, educational lives and extracurricular activities. I think it is amazing that we have these counseling opportunities. [However] I wish students had more information or counseling was promoted more. I feel like I haven’t heard much about the opportunities we do have,” said Josie Disponette sophomore marketing major.

Not advertising a mental health tool to a group that is statistically more likely to need counseling could be considered negligent and therefore should be given immediate attention. Most students are not aware that policies have changed and that students can

EDITORIAL STAFF

now get an appointment within the hour, a factor that would most likely change a student’s mind about reaching out.

“I’ve actually been to the counseling center here on campus and it isn’t as bad as everyone says it is. It did take a long time to get an appointment, but I’ve never asked for an emergency appointment, I just schedule another regular one so I don’t know about that timeline,” said Carina Campos freshman business management major.

There is sometimes a long wait time because of the limited amount of fulltime staff. There are only three full-time counselors and three part-time graduate and doctoral students from Our Lady of the Lake University. Because they are not all seasoned professionals, it is understandable that not all students would be comfortable seeing someone not as experienced as others in the department.

“I have been seeing one of the more seasoned counselors here on campus and it has not worked out very well.

When we had our sessions, you could tell that she was analyzing everything I was saying instead of just listening to me, so I decided to see someone else,” Campos said.

“When I called for an appointment the only one available was a doctoral student so I wasn’t too sure about it. As soon as we started our session, she was immediately all in, she was leaning into the conversation listening and internalizing everything I was

MAKAYLA AMITRANI OPINION EDITOR

Copy Editor Seana Barclay

Throughout grades one through 12, teachers would take attendance to ensure students did not miss more than 10% of classes per state law. Now in college, there is no law forcing students to attend classes. Most professors take attendance for valid reasons, but those who take attendance for a grade should look at the negative effects that could have on students.

Similarly, attendance should not be a double standard. If the student is required to attend class for a grade then, it should be expected the professor is there on time to keep track of it.

“My professor gave me a 67 for missing one class these past five weeks but he shows up 15 minutes late to every class. [That] time he didn’t show up [after] 30 minutes so we all left,” said senior biology major Ratna Ramaraju.

In a case like that, the student code of conduct is not very helpful in determining what should be done. Nowhere does it list procedures for when a professor doesn’t show up.

“Our student code of conduct should be more explicit in guidelines on what to do when the [professor] doesn’t show up. A lot of my classmates and I were worried about getting in trouble for leaving but just assumed that we were allowed to considering it had been 30 minutes, but it would have been nice to have some concrete statement protecting our

Advertising Manager Andres Gonzalez Multimedia Editor Adrianna Mirabal Web Editor Vivian Urrutia News Editor Victoria Olguin Spanish Editor Mária José Valiente Opinion Editor Makayla Amitrani Culture and Entertainment Editor Jacob A. Henson Sports Editor Megan Angelo Faculty Adviser Kathe Lehman-Meyer

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Rattler welcomes letters to the editor.

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

campus facilities. Because the system is set up as short-term, there is not an outlined plan that is discussed during sessions. What neither university has is an online portal to schedule appointments, something that would be helpful for those students with extreme anxiety.

While there are many things that can be improved regarding the department, there have also been a lot of recent improvements that have paved the way to a successful future, only if the progress continues. If you are struggling with your mental health, contact the Student Counseling Center at (210) 4363135 for more information or to schedule an individual appointment with an available counselor.

Graphic by Kasha Casiano

Professors face criticism for grading student attendance

Editor-in-Chief Demi Bestor

Layout and Design Julissa Mariscal

saying without making me feel embarrassed to speak up. She listened and asked what I needed and provided everything without hesitation. I can confidently say she has a new patient,” continued Campos.

Another private university, Our Lady of the Lake has an excellent program, one that could be used as an example for St. Marys’ counseling program. Their website highlights programs and procedures that St. Mary’s does not have, “Counseling sessions can be virtual or in-person and last 45-50 minutes. They are free for currently enrolled students living within the state of Texas. The student and counselor will work together to determine how many counseling sessions would be appropriate based on their needs and Counseling Services resources. Typically, a plan is outlined at the start of their counseling and is reassessed and adjusted as therapy unfolds.”

As of right now at St. Mary’s, sessions can last anywhere from 30-45 minutes and are only available to St. Mary’s students.

Along with that, only short-term care is provided, which means students are allotted a certain number of scheduled sessions before they are referred to off-

decision to leave,” Ramaraju said.

Also, the only acceptable reasons a student can miss a class are because of a universityrelated activity, illness, COVID-19 or family illness. However, mental health concerns are not an acceptable excuse according to the university.

When taking attendance, most professors don’t question why their student is not in the classroom, most just assuming that they couldn’t be bothered to show up.

Most students understand the importance of attending class and will only miss when something is happening out of their control.

“I went through a lot of personal things that prevented me from going to class and when I emailed my professor, they were not understanding at all. I got a zero for the three days I didn’t go to class and it brought my grade down ten points,” said freshman business management major Carina Campos.

Graphic by Kasha Casiano

Some students do not see the benefit of attending a class where they are not learning, instead taking that time to study and complete assignments with their friends in an interactive learning environment.

“I don’t really learn well in a basic classroom environment, and sometimes I miss class so that I can study with friends where we can all bounce our ideas off of each other which really helps,” said freshman biology major Jayln De La Fuente.

An alternative would be to take attendance to gauge participation, not take it as a grade. Attendance is not a determining factor in a student’s ability to comprehend the material. For example, if all that is happening in a classroom is reviewing the assignment due before the class, being there to listen to a professor explain something you already understand does not serve much of a purpose.

“I also do think that attendance should be counted, but not for a grade. For example one of my other professors takes attendance at the beginning of every class but she doesn’t make it a part of our grade, she just uses it to gauge participation and I prefer that versus having attendance as a grade,” said Ramaraju.

Grading attendance is not always the best way to ensure a proper education for many reasons.

There is no way to know exactly what is preventing students from attending class, and lowering a student’s grade solely because they do not attend class might discourage students from attending class on a regular basis.

BLACK HISTORY 5 6 MONT 11 12 1 17 18 1 23 24 2 The Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in 1909.

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In 1668, in Germantown, PA, the first protest against slavery was held.

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1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 TH 13 14 15 16 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28

resident Biden minates the first African merican woman or the Supreme Court in 2022.

In 2009, the first African American Attorney General, Eric Holder, was sworn in.

In 1870, The U.S. Constitution ratified the 15th Amendment to give African American men the right to vote.

In 1944, the first African American journalist, Harry S. McAlpin, was admitted into the White House for a press conference.

In 1995, Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr., was the first African American to walk in space.

Mamie Smith was the first African American woman to record a blues album in 1920.

Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965.

Debbie Thomas was the first African American figure skater to win a medal at the Winter Olympics in 1926.

Rosa L. Parks’ birthday.

10 SPANISH

EDITOR: MARÍA JOSÉ VALIENTE | @STMURATTLERNEWS | MARCH 3, 2022

Estudiantes internacionales ofrecen ideas de nuevos platillos para la cafeteria JOSE GUTIERREZ/ MARÍA JOSÉ VALIENTE

St. Mary’s University se caracteriza por ser una universidad que abre sus puertas a personas de diferentes partes del mundo, y por lo tanto, a otras culturas y expresiones.

Un tema muy importante para el desarrollo físico e intelectual es la alimentación. En nuestra universidad contamos con una cafetería tipo buffet en la que los alumnos podemos pasar a degustar de los tres alimentos: desayuno, comida y cena, y si lo deseamos, también un postre. Es evidente que los menús principales suelen ser propios de la cultura americana-mexicana que ciertamente son muy deliciosos, pero sin duda alguna podrían agregarse otros diferentes platillos al menú de esta misma, para poder degustar diferentes tipos de alimentos típicos de otros países.

Por ejemplo, el alumno Fernando Arriaga estudiante de tercer año en administracion de empresa dijo al respecto, “Considero que la comida de la cafetería es deliciosa en general, pero creo que podrían agregarse otros diferentes tipos de platillos por lo menos una vez al mes, yo soy mexicano, pero mis padres son salvadoreños y algo típico del salvador son las popusas que consisten en rellenar una especie de gordita de masa con carne de cerdo, chicharrón o cualquier

otro guiso, es muy fácil de preparar y a la vez delicioso. Yo sé que es obvio que muchos no lo conocen, pero creo que sería una muy buena sugerencia para todos aquellos que quieran saber acerca de la gastronomía salvadoreña.”

Personalmente, hace algunos años un amigo tuvo la oportunidad de degustar las famosas “popusas,” preparadas por una señora salvadoreña que estuvo de visita en mi casa. De verdad considero que sería una excelente idea agregarlo al menú de nuestra cafetería, por lo menos una vez al mes como menciona Fernando, estoy seguro de que les fascinarán.

Guillermo Peña, quien es mexicano estudiante de ultimo año en psicologia comentó, “Debido a que prácticamente vivo en una casa aparte y que cuenta con todos los servicios, he visitado sólo un par de veces la cafetería de St. Mary’s University.

Mi primera impresión fue que la cafetería cuenta con una amplia gama de alimentos para todos los estudiantes. Tienen ensaladas, postres, carne, pizza, etc. En general la cafetería brinda un buen servicio. Tal vez algo nuevo podría ser hacer una noche a la semana o al mes de comida típica de algún país, y cada vez hacer algo diferente, mis sugerencias serían enchiladas de mole y, tal vez, chilaquiles, ambos platillos son típicos de la gastronomía mexicana, deliciosos y muy fáciles de preparar.”

Peña ademas comparte “Como mencioné anteriormente, las noches de un viernes al mes podrían incluirse platillos diferentes a los acostumbrados, que sean propios de los países o lugares de procedencia de los alumnos de St. Mary’s University, estoy completamente seguro que les fascinará ya que la gastronomía de mí país es bastante amplia y deliciosa.”

“

Creo que agregar distintos platillos sería una muy buena opción para dar a conocer otros tipos de alimentos típicos de los países de cada estudiante.”

Eduardo Guzman Tercer año administracion de empresas

Muchos apoyaron la sugerencia de Peña ya que indudablemente, sería algo trascendental para nuestra cafetería el agregar nuevos alimentos al menú para poder disgustar de otros platillos.

Por su parte, Eduardo Guzmán, estudiante de tercer año en administracion de empresas dijo lo siguiente, “Considero que la comida en general es de buena calidad, el precio es razonable me gustaría que agregaran más comida latina especialmente mexicana, por ejemplo pozole, tacos y tostadas. Creo que agregar distintos platillos sería una

muy buena opción para dar a conocer otros tipos de alimentos típicos de los países de cada estudiante.”

La sugerencia de Guzmán es interesante, es muy importante agrandar el menú de la cafetería para poder disfrutar de un menú distinto ya que la comunidad estudiantil se internacionaliza cada vez más. Muchos estudiantes expresan como ellos disfrutan mucho la comida Mexicana. Pero tambien como ellos disfrutan mucho la gastronomia española por ejemplo la paella, Fabada asturiana y por supuesto la tortilla de patata conocida popularmente como “tortilla española” fácil de preparar y deliciosa para cualquier ocasión. Al tomarse en cuenta distintas sugerencias respecto a la cafetería y los alimentos podría surgir un cambio positivo y trascendental para toda la comunidad estudiantil y a su vez poder dar a conocer las distintas gastronomía de los muchos amigos y profesores.

Como se puede observar, la mayoría de los estudiantes estan conformes con el servicio que brinda la cafetería, pero que muchos consideran que puede ser mejor, y de ser tomadas en cuenta las opiniones, estarian muy agradecidos.

Además, cabe recordar que la gastronomía es parte importante de la cultura de cada país o región, compartirla y dar a conocerla, permite interactuar y valorar la diversidad que St. Mary’s University nos ofrece.

Profesor Sergio Palacios nos comparte su perspectiva del mundo de negocios MARÍA JOSÉ VALIENTE EDITORA DE ESPAÑOL

Aquí en St. Mary’s University, la calidad de los profesores quienes forman parte de la facultad es muy alta. Todos están muy bien preparados, estudiados y muchos, además tienen la oportunidad de compartir distintos premios y títulos que ellos han logrado adquirir a través de sus vidas profesionales. Debido a esto, muchos son considerados como ejemplo e inspiración para todos los estudiantes universitarios.

Entre ellos se destaca, Dr. Sergio Palacios, quien en el 2016 empezó a formar parte de la facultad aquí en la universidad, enseñando muchos cursos relacionados con innovación y emprendedurismo. Palacios nació en Monterrey, México, de una familia emprendedora. El comparte cómo su madre y padre tenían varias empresas

Profesor Sergio Palacios sonrie en toma de foto profesional. | Cortesía de stmarytx.edu

en Monterrey, debido a esto, desde muy chiquito él desarrolló una atracción por el mundo de negocios.

Su familia fue muy exitosa con los negocios que ellos tuvieron, como por ejemplo uno relacionado con productos cárnicos. Al ver esto Palacios quiso ayudar con el negocio familiar, pero sus padres prefirieron que él estudiara y emprendiera por su cuenta. Al tener su título en el Tecnológico de Monterrey, Palacios expresa como él tuvo muchas oportunidades de conocer el mundo y viajar. El menciona como, “Hice mi M.B.A. de negocios en la Universidad de Texas-Pan Americana y mi doctorado en la Universidad estatal de México.” Describiendo como esto lo ayudó a prepararse y ganar mucha experiencia laboral.

Al expresar su pasión por el mundo de negocios, Palacios describe como, “Todo empezó por una terquedad mía… Yo tenía un muy buen sueldo en una compañía.

Pero mi familia me prestó una camioneta y una bodega y organizaciones me prestaron dinero para empezar una compañía de productos alimenticios.”

Palacios además expresó en la entrevista como, “Meti mis productos a H-E-B desde muy joven, yo era muy persistente, no tenía miedo al fracaso. Entonces pude crear mi marca, registrarla y diseñar. Yo tenía la idea de vender productos con valor agregado.”

El también cuenta cómo logró ganar mucho dinero con su nueva compañía de chicharrón prensado. Y todo se le hizo muy fácil ya que el ama vender y hablar e

interactuar con distintas personas. Todas estas cualidades de un buen emprendedor.

Mas adelante Palacios describe cómo ya después de nueve años con su negocio él decide hacer algo más. En la actualidad el describe como su verdadera pasión es ser un consultor de negocios, y ayudar a nuevas compañías las cuales recién están empezando. El anade como en México intentó dar cursos, pero ya después de sacar su materia, una universidad Mexicana lo contrató para ser reclutador de estudiantes internacionales, debido a esto el viajo mucho.

Al estudiar su doctorado Palacios describe como el tuvo mucho éxito, “Gane premios de mejor estudiante, premios de mejor investigador de mi programa y además la misma universidad me ofreció trabajo de profesor. Luego surgió la oportunidad de ser maestro en St. Mary’s University, y la verdad que lo amo. Amo la comunidad y poder contar mis historias a los alumnos, y poder ser un ejemplo para los estudiantes.”

Palacios describe durante la entrevista, “Lo que más me gusta de las oportunidades que tenemos en el mundo de negocios es poder generar valor para otros, y que también nos puede ir bien económicamente, osea el hecho de ganar y ganar. También es que podemos ayudar con ciertos problemas en la humanidad.” Él agrega que lo que no le gusta del mundo de negocios es, “Que muchas empresas pueden crear impactos negativos en la humanidad.”

Palacios expresó que en un futuro, “Yo quiero viajar a distintos países y seguir

enseñando clases, también quiero seguir siendo consultor para distintas compañías que recién empiezan y ayudar así a otros emprendedores, ya que eso es lo que más me gusta hacer. Y eventualmente quiero darme tiempo para tener una nueva compañía.”

Al

finalizar

la

entrevista,

Palacios

decide ofrecer a los lectores un consejo en relación con el mundo de negocios, “Como estudiantes acérquense más a distintas fuentes fidedignas, como programas de emprendimiento o foros de emprendimiento.

Ya que ahí afuera, como en el internet, hay mucha información errónea”.

Palacios incluye que “Debido a esto traten de conseguir a un mentor ya que hay maneras de empezar un negocio sin gastar mucho dinero o arriesgar mucho. Ya que el emprendimiento no solo es para lo que tiene mucho dinero o los que arriesgan mucho.”

En conclusion Palacios, es un hombre de negocios muy destacado, ayudando a jóvenes a través de sus clases, a través de la educación. Además el ayuda a nuevas compañías sirviendo como consultor.

Debido a esto el peridocio escolar decidió entrevistar a el profesor Palacios, ya que muchos estudiantes han expresado como ellos lo consideran un ejemplo a seguir y una persona muy inspiradora. Muchos agregan que están muy agradecidos de tener una muy buena calidad de maestros, como, Palacios, aquí en la universidad. Ya que ellos ayudan a preparar a los estudiantes de una muy buena manera para sus futuras carreras profesionales.

SPANISH 11

MARCH 3, 2022 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

Día de San Valentín y las distintas maneras de celebracion através del mundo DANIELA GARZA MARTINEZ/ MARÍA JOSÉ VALIENTE

Esta semana pasada se celebró el Día de San Valentín o mejor conocido para la gente hispanohablante, el Día del Amor y la Amistad. Una companera me relato que se sorprendio completamente cuando le pregunto a su novio si había felicitado a sus amigos o si les había regalado algo, él se rió y dijo que porqué haría eso si es el Día de San Valentín. Siendo mexicana, esto fue un choque cultural que abrió su curiosidad.

Debido a esto es que se desglosa este artículo donde se veran las tradiciones del Día del Amor y la Amistad en diferentes países.

Qué mejor que iniciar nuestro viaje alrededor del mundo qué en el país mejor famoso por su capital, la ciudad del amor, Francia. La fête de Saint-Valentin, es celebrado de una manera muy similar a la de los Estados Unidos y México. La única diferencia viene siendo qué este día es una celebración para la gente mayor de edad y de vez en cuando adolescentes.

Sorprendentemente, los chocolates son de los regalos menos dados en este día en Francia. Lo común, es el infalible ramo

de flores acompañado por una cena. el chocolate “honmei-chocos” que estos son Muchas parejas también optan por tomar los chocolates que se entregan a sus parejas un viaje de fin de semana. o pretendientes exclusivamente románticos.

No todos celebran el día de San Valentín Se sabe de Santa Claus, se sabe de el aunque en Japón, es un día festivo muy conejo de pascua, hasta se conoce de los importante más que nada para los jóvenes Reyes Magos, pero fue hasta hoy que se en preparatoria y secundaria. Japón descubrio la existencia del Señor nos sorprende al darle un Jack Valentine, un fenómeno giro a las normas de género que se hace presente el 13 con tradiciones muy de febrero en las ciudades progresistas. En Japón de Norfolk y Norwich en la manera tradicional el Reino Unido. Se dice de celebrar el día de que una noche antes San Valentín es que es del Día del Amor y la él turno de qué las niñas Amistad, Jack Valentine les regalen chocolates y pasa por las casas de estas dulces a sus pretendientes o dos ciudades dejando regalos a los que les gustan. como dulces y flores. Hasta ha Algo muy interesante que se dejado escritorios completos. Pero descubrio es que hay dos tipos de el también es un travieso y a veces chocolates que tienen significados ha tocado el timbre de alguna diferentes para quién los está casa y se desvanece o ha dejado regalando. El chocolate “giripapeles con dibujos raros. Pero choco” es dado con él propósito hasta eso el Señor Jack le de quedar bien sin tener un entrega un regalo o travesura sentimiento romántico hacia la a gente de toda edad, no solo persona. Del otro lado tenemos Grafico por Demi Bestor a los bellos enamorados.

Por último, tenemos España, dónde puedes celebrar más de un día. El Día de San Jorge se celebra el 23 de abril, y en este día se celebra el amor y la literatura. Perfecto para bibliófilos, en este día se regalan libros para mostrar cariño al igual que ramos de flores.

También se celebra en Valencia, el Día de San Dionisio el 9 de octubre. Durante esta fecha hay fuegos artificiales por la noche y la tradición es que parejas se regalen un pañuelo y se conserven mientras pasen los años. Esto es símbolo de su devoción y fidelidad a la relación. España tiene algo para todos, así qué hora de echarse un brindis pues el Día de los Solteros se celebra el 13 de febrero. Aunque no hay alguna tradición que seguir, este día es para apreciar y celebrar él no estar en una relación.

Al haber terminado descubrir todo esto, definitivamente se puede sacar una muy buena moraleja. En ningun pais, la forma de celebrar el día de San Valentín es lo mismo.

En cada communidad este evento varia y significa algo distinto. Estés soltero o en una relación seria, siempre habrá un rincóncito en el mundo dónde te puedas celebrar. Así que a tomar nota, ahorrar y hacer maleta.

Las distintas opiniones sobre la semana de reclutamiento en las fraternidades MARÍA JOSÉ VALIENTE EDITORA DE ESPAÑOL

En los Estados Unidos, las hermandades y fraternidades son parte de la tradición universitaria. La primera fraternidad en existencia fue “Phi Beta Kappa,” fundada en el 5 de diciembre del, 1776 en Virginia.

Ya por más de cientos de años estas organizaciones han tomado poder social en las diferentes universidades a través de Norteamerica. Ya sea en cada hermandad o fraternidad, ninguna es igual, ya que sus tradiciones e ideales varían. Pero en todas está la meta de darle a los estudiantes el sentido de pertenencia en una comunidad junto a sus hermanos y hermanas.

En todas las universidades las fraternidades y las hermandades pasan por las semanas de reclutamiento para iniciar a nuevos miembros en sus capítulos.

Dentro de estas universidades se encuentra St. Mary’s University, la cual tiene una comunidad griega muy fuerte. Estas últimas semanas, se han llevado a cabo las dos semanas de reclutamiento para las fraternidades aquí en el campus.

Debido a esto el periodico universitario entrevisto a diferentes estudiantes quienes son miembros de las distintas fraternidades en la universidad. Muchos compartieron sus propias opiniones, pensamientos y anécdotas de todo lo que componen esas dos semanas de reclutamiento. Ya que se nota que muchos de ellos ponen mucho tiempo, y esfuerzo en las distintas actividades para así lograr atraer a muchos nuevos miembros.

Para muchos estudiantes estas semanas son de sus memorias preferidas en su vida universitaria. Entre estos estudiantes se encuentra Víctor Andonie, estudiante de segundo año de Honduras, que tiene una carrera en administración de empresas, emprendedurismo e innovación. Andonie describe como en Sigma Beta Chi, “la experiencia de reclutamiento fue uno de los mejores momentos que tuve en St. Mary’s.

Pudimos ir a una proyección privada en el cine Santikos donde jugamos FIFA y UFC.

Incluso fuimos a Wing Daddy’s que para mí fue una experiencia divertida, pudimos vincularnos con los nuevos miembros más aún con nuestros hermanos de fraternidad.

Los últimos eventos de reclutamiento fueron Top Golf y el Rodeo, y fueron mis favoritos, no esperaba divertirme tanto en el Rodeo.”

Andonie además añade que en su fraternidad, “Empezamos animando a los jinetes y terminamos con un concierto de Ludacris. Cuando empezó a cantar, todos estábamos entusiasmados y nos divertimos juntos. Fue una experiencia diferente comparada con el semestre pasado con las restricciones de COVID-19, lo cual es comprensible, pero estas semanas de reclutamiento fueron inolvidables.”

Andonie finaliza su testimonio descrbiendo como para el “Personalmente quiero agradecer a Sigma Beta Chi y St. Mary’s por la oportunidad de disfrutar de estos eventos con mis hermanos y nuevos miembros.”

De una manera similar estudiante de Psicología de último año llamado Eric Delgado, quien nació en Estados Unidos, miembro de Lambda Chi Alpha, describe como la vida griega tiene sus lados negativos, en especial por la pandemia, “en retrospectiva de las temporadas de reclutamiento anteriores que he experimentado aquí en StMU, ninguna ha sido tan engorrosa como la primavera de 2022. No es un secreto para nadie en la vida griega, que la pandemia iniciada está cerca de la ruina, especialmente cuando su atractivo o bvio proviene de sus redes sociales.”

Delgado demostró que también las semanas de reclutamiento pueden tener un lado positivo, “Finalmente, el agua hirvió a fuego lento, la atmósfera no estaba tan tensa y era como si la demanda en sí misma evoca nuestras conexiones fraternales y volviéramos a estar tan cerca como antes de la pandemia.”

Otro estudiante de tercer año en finanzas llamado Joe Napier, quien nació en Estados Unidos felizmente decidió dar su perspectiva

personal de las semanas de reclutamiento y acerca de la vida griega en Sigma Phi Epsilon.

“Pensando en el momento en que pasé por la semana de reclutamiento, recuerdo que dudaba mucho en seguir la vida griega.

Conocí a tantos grupos e individuos diferentes que fue casi abrumador, pero me obligó a salir de mi zona de confort y ser parte de algo más grande.”

Napier ademas menciona que “estoy más que agradecido de haberme unido a SigEp y haber atesorado mi tiempo en la fraternidad, y sé que aquellos que eligieron ser parte de la vida griega este semestre continuarán creando recuerdos que nunca olvidarán con sus nuevas fraternidades.”

Napier además describe cómo, “todos estábamos un poco nerviosos al comenzar la semana de reclutamiento de este semestre con la cantidad de personas inscritas para el reclutamiento mucho más bajas de lo esperado. Ya sea por la pandemia o por los horarios ocupados, parece que no pudimos atraer a más personas interesadas. Sin embargo, uno a uno, gracias al gran esfuerzo de todas nuestras fraternidades empezamos a aumentar la cantidad de estudiantes interesados en ser parte de la vida griega.”

Napier también decide añadir su perspectiva personal, “Sé que mi experiencia personalmente fue divertida, llena de risas y buenos momentos con amigos. Creo que en el futuro debemos llevar este mismo entusiasmo y esfuerzo si esperamos que la vida griega siga creciendo. Felicitaciones a todos los nuevos miembros, siempre es un momento especial verlos agolparse el día de la oferta. Estoy tan contento de tenerlos a todos como hermanos y emocionado por el año que viene.”

Para las distintas fraternidades, las dos semanas de reclutamiento son un período muy emocionante. Muchos estudiantes explican cómo para ellos esta experiencia los cambia como personas. Ya que debido a esto ellos logran encontrar un sentido de pertenencia y comunidad el cual nunca habían sentido antes. Los distintos estudiantes añaden como ellos están muy agradecidos y como ellos esperan que en la universidad la comunidad griega siga creciendo y atrayendo a nuevos miembros, ya que sus puertas están siempre abiertas para los estudiantes interesados. Esto no solo les da oportunidades parael futuro perso sino tambien amistades prevalentes.

Hermanos de fraternidad SigEp posan con banderas y letras en foto. | Cortesía de Rodriguez-Shea

12 CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

EDITOR: JACOB A. HENSON | @STMURATTLERNEWS | MARCH 3, 2022

Spice up art culture and Gogh to this hip, immersive exhibit KENDRA TURNER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

San Antonio is home to some beautiful museums and art galleries such as the Witte Museum, McNay Museum and the San Antonio Museum of Art. And now, the traveling Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit also adds to the list of these fascinating museums.

With locations in 16 different cities such as New York and Los Angeles, this exhibit is a walk-through experience that uses state-ofthe-art technology and animation to give a theatrical storytelling experience of Vincent van Gogh’s art. The exhibit uses projectors to display Van Gogh’s paintings and animates the landscapes and artwork into moving pictures. The stunning visuals along with the music make this a breathtaking and immersive experience.

Vincent van Gogh was born in 1853 in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands, and is one of the most well-known artists to this day. Van Gogh grew up lacking self-confidence and direction in life, and before discovering his calling as an artist, he first thought that his true calling was preaching the gospel. When he finally decided to start his journey into artistry, he had already been through a lot of unsuccessful relationships and career paths.

He studied art in Belgium and in 1885, he created one of his most famous paintings and first masterpiece, “The Potato Eaters.”

In 1888, he moved to Arles, France in hopes of starting a school of art. While in France, Van Gogh met many other famous artists such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro and Paul Gauguin.

The “Sunflowers” series, part of the project, “Décoration for the Yellow House,” fills the walls with vibrant warm colors at the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit San Antonio. | Photo courtesy of Michael Brosilow

Interestingly enough, Van Gogh rented a house in Arles that went on to inspire “The Yellow House.” This also led to the inspiration of one of his most famous paintings, “Sunflowers.” And his sunflower series was meant to decorate the room he had in The Yellow House. He spent his time with Eugéne Henri Paul Gauguin, a French post-impressionist artist who was living in the house with him as well. Near the end of

1888, Van Gogh began experiencing manic episodes, and after Gauguin decided to leave Arles, Van Gogh pursued him with a knife and ended up cutting his own earlobe off. After this, he was sent to Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum in Saint-Remy.

During his time in the asylum came his pinnacle achievement, “Starry Night.”

Considered to be Van Gogh’s best-known painting, this piece was painted from his

memory and not from the landscape like his previous works. Two months later, Van Gogh left the asylum in 1890 and died from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot. During his lifetime, his art did not do very well and did not experience success.

After his passing, his brother Theodorus van Gogh attempted to sell his art and raise the profile of his work, but also died six months later. However, Theodorus’ widow, Jo van Gogh-Bonger, then went on to sell Van Gogh’s art and published Van Gogh’s letters to Theodorus, which gained a lot of attention for his artwork. As such, Van Gogh’s life and Jo van Gogh-Bonger’s help were the biggest reasons his artwork became so popular. Vincent van Gogh’s legacy lives on today and his art is considered to be some of the most influential pieces that have laid a foundation for modern art.

This exhibit aims to give a look into the artist’s troubled yet creative mind. In short, Gogh is a timeless genius who endured a tragic and brief existence in this mortal coil.

The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit was set to open on Feb. 24 but due to issues with venues, the opening has been moved to May 26.

The location of the exhibit is set to be in the heart of San Antonio at 221 Burleson St., which is just a few blocks down from the San Antonio Museum of Art. The exhibit will run from May 26 to Sept. 5. Tickets run from $66 to $115. Availability is already limited for opening week in May, but there is better availability starting in June, so make sure to book a ticket now. Visit www. goghsanantonio.com for more information.

The rad return of homecoming and the so fetch early 2000s SOPHIA ANNE MUÑOZ STAFF WRITER

Get ready rattlers, homecoming has officially commenced. There is nothing better than spending this week with friends at the various homecoming happenings around campus. Travel back in time to the early 2000s where perhaps many fond memories were made. Here are the different events that have taken place this week and what is left to come.

Monday was the Kick-Off Party and Window Decorating Contest. For many students, faculty, staff and alumni, including Regina de la Parra, senior international and global studies and environmental science major, this is a much-anticipated event.

“My favorite event is the window decorating contest…” de la Parra says. “It is really cool to see all of the time and creativity put into the creations that [the Registered Student Organizations] make.”

As an RSO intern in the Office of Student Life, de la Parra has experienced homecoming before and has helped many RSOs build community on campus.

“Homecoming is a very exciting time during spring where organizations can show their competitive side while participating in large-scale community events,” De la Parra defines. “Student life is working hard along[side] Residence Life and other campus partners to make sure students engage with each other and have fun.”

Additionally, the TikTok Competition is another event that happened this week, along with the Pre-Ash Bash that took place in Founders Hall. The Pre-Ash Bash was sponsored by University Ministry and looks forward to another great turnout next year. Then, the Ash Wednesday liturgy and weekly 3 O’clock Prayer at the bell tower commenced at Assumption Chapel for the beginning of the Lenten season. Finally, last night students gathered at University

Graphic courtesy of the Office of Student Life, St. Mary’s University

Center Conference Room A to listen to the astounding musical talent presented by students and alumni at the Battle of the Bands. Each musical group performed “Y2K” themed music and were literally vibing with the crowds.

Here are the remaining events for this week. Today is Spirit Thursday and it is not too late to sport Rattler Man’s favorite colors.

Then at 4 p.m., be sure to catch the Golf Cart Parade at Chaminade Field. Right after, the homecoming party, “A Taste of the 2000s” will begin at 4:30 p.m., just after the Golf Cart Parade in the same area. Friday, March 4 is the annual St. Mary’s Giving Day, which returns for another year of raising funds for student projects, scholarships, research experiences, fellowships, academic clubs and programs. On Friday morning, the Homecoming Quad will take place at Alkek Plaza from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.; the Smash Bash will take place immediately after in the Atrium of the Alkek Building.

Saturday will be the evening of the homecoming mass at 4:30 p.m. in Guadalupe Chapel. Immediately after the mass, follow the crowd to the Homecoming Oyster Bake (aka Baby Bake), happening at Pecan Grove. Homecoming awards will also be announced, including homecoming court and spirit award presentations. For junior biology major Vilma Sofia Caballero, the crowing of the homecoming king and queen is her favorite part of the celebration.

“I was able to see one of my old friends win homecoming king,” Caballero says.

“And it was amazing seeing their hard work come to fruition.”

Many students like Caballero may have experienced what she has: COVID-19 worries affecting homecoming for the past two years now. However, Caballero encourages students to safely practice preventative measures yet also attend homecoming events for the opportunity to build community and meet new people.

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT 13

MARCH 3, 2022 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

SOPHIA KUSSEL STAFF WRITER

The 94th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CDT, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theater. There are plenty of categories to be on the lookout for, but none are as important or as exciting as the category for Best Picture. Even the nomination of Best Picture can establish a film as a notable part of film history, but to win the category solidifies a film as legendary. This year, there are 10 films up for this famous nomination.

“Nightmare Ally” (2021) This neo-noir psychological thriller film is an American film directed and co-written by heavy hitter Guillermo Del Toro and features cinematography by Dan Laustsen.

The main characters include Standon ‘Stan’ Carlisle (Bradley Cooper), Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett), Molly (Rooney Mara) and Zeena Crumbein (Toni Collette). Interestingly enough, two versions of the film have been released in theaters — one version being in color, and the other in black in white. If it is not in black and white, it cannot even be considered noir. And to that, Del Toro would absolutely agree.

“Nightmare Ally” (2021), adapted from the 1946 novel by the same name and written by William Lindsay Greshman, stays true to the plot and theme of its literary predecessor. “Nightmare Ally” is a study of the seedy underbelly of showbiz and the deprived lengths its inhabitants are willing to go. Taking place in a strange and enigmatic carnival with its respective cast of characters, a particularly ambitious carny and con artist is willing to do whatever it takes to make it big, even scheming his way into a tycoon’s fortune.

“Nightmare Ally’s” reception has been mildly positive, with Rotten Tomato scores of a 79% on the “Tomatometer” and a 68% audience score. Making the most of its budget of $60 million, “Nightmare Ally” managed to make $33.7 million at the box office, a nice fat profit, which speaks volumes of this movie’s hype.

“Don’t Look Up” (2021) This Netflix-released comedy was directed

by Adam McKay, who also co-wrote the story with David Sirota. The cast includes Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio), Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), President Orlean (Meryl Streep), Brie Evantee (Cate Blanchett), Jack Bremmer (Tyler Perry), Jason Orlean (Jonah Hill), Yule (Timothée Chalamet) and Riley Bina (Ariana Grande).

Two ne’er-do-well astronomers are stuck with the task of going on a media tour to warn the world that the earth is going to be smashed by a gigantic incoming comet — but the media does not listen. However, it is not their fault since they live in an idiocracy. As such, the movie is a pointed satire about society’s indifference to climate change, the giant comet that will kill everyone, specifically within celebrity and political circles. Reception of this Netflix original is mixed with a pitiful 56% on the “Tomatometer,” but a 78% audience score.

“Don’t Look Up” (2021) had a whopping budget of $75 million dollars, but only made $1.5 million at the box office. Nonetheless, “Don’t Look Up” was streamed a total 359.8

million hours on Netflix, which makes it the most-streamed English movie during the week of Dec. 20 through 26, 2021.

“Dune” (2021) That is right, this bad boy is being nominated for best picture and has an incredibly good chance of winning the nomination. Directed by Denis Villeneuve with cinematography by Greig Fraser, this banger roped in $400.3 million at the box office alone — blowing the film’s budget of $165 million right out of the water. Surprise, surprise, this movie also has a fantastic cast including Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), Chani (Zendaya), Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), Leto Atreides I (Oscar Isaac), Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa), Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), Stilgar (Javier Bardem), Glossu Rabban (Dave Bautista), Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin) and Liet-Kynes (Sharon DuncanBrewster).

This is the second film adaptation of the sci-fi novel series by the same name: a beloved literary cult classic by the incredibly confusing yet brilliant author Frank Herbert.

The hero is a young Paul Atreides (Chalamet), who is bestowed with fantastic gifts and an even more fantastic destiny. In this work of fiction, the earth is no longer the only inhabited planet. The story takes place on the planet Arrakis, a dangerous desert wasteland where the only source of the enigmatic substance called “spice melange” can be found. The “spice” is a highly addictive futuristic drug that can cause positive mind-altering effects and is a vital commodity for space travel. The movie has received a favorable reception with a score of 83% on the “Tomatometer” and a 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Drive My Car” (2021) “Drive My Car” is a Japanese drama directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi with cinematography by Hidetoshi Shinomiya.

“Drive My Car” is adapted from the 2014 short story by the same name written by Japanese author, Haruki Murakami, who is a globally acclaimed writer of novels that have been translated into over 50 different languages. This film is a slow-burn drama that follows the protagonist, Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Shinomiya), as he directs a movie in Hiroshima while recovering from the death of his wife, Oto Kafuku (Reika Kirishima). Eventually, Kafuku is tasked with finding a chauffeur for himself and ends up hiring a 20-year-old girl, with whom a unique relationship is built.

“Drive My Car” was received by critics incredibly well with a 98% “Tomatometer” rating and an 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie grossed a total of $1.2 million in the United States box office.

“Belfast” (2021) This film is a semi-autobiographical comedy hailing from the United Kingdom.

The film is written and directed by Kenneth Branagh, whom the film is about, with cinematography by Haris Zambarloukos.

This film takes place during the tumult in Northern Ireland around the turn of the 1960s. The tumult was an ethno-nationalist conflict that lasted around 3 decades in Northern Ireland and is globally known as the Northern Ireland conflict. The film

chronicles the day-to-day life of the Ulster Protestant working-class family. The story is told from the perspective of the nine-yearold protagonist, Buddy, who must face the trials of prejudice. This incredible film has received positive acclaim from critics and the public alike with an 87% “Tomatometer” rating and 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The picture has made $30.4 million at the box office worldwide.

“Licorice Pizza” Similar to “Belfast,” this film is yet another coming-of-age story with semiautobiographical elements, except this time it is American-based. This film was written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson with cinematography by Michael Bauman and Anderson, again. Unsurprisingly, the movie is based on the director’s friend, Gary Goateman, a producer and actor. This film stars Alana (Alana Haim) and Gary (Cooper Hoffman) as the central focus in their debut movie. Set in the 1970s, this film focuses on young love and growing up, following two teens in California’s San Fernando Valley.

At the box office worldwide, the movie made $26.6 million and critics raved with a 91% “Tomatometer” rating, but only a 65% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“The Power of the Dog” This film was created in five different countries including Greece, New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. Jane Greetwood was the director with Ari Wegner as cinematographer.

Casting for the movie includes Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch), Rose Gorgan (Kristen Dunst), George Burbank (Jesse Plemons) and Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee).

“The Power of the Dog” is yet another novel adaptation of the same name, which was written by Thomas Savage in 1967. The film deals with themes of love, resentment, grief and prejudice. This western drama set in the 1920s tells the story of successful rancher brothers and the tensions that arise when brother, George (Plemons) marries a local woman Rose (Dunst), who has a son from a previous relationship. The complex family dynamic festers as the new additions attempt to integrate themselves, straining the ranchers’ brotherly bond. “The Power of the Dog” is unsurprisingly a recipient of positive critical acclaim with a 94% “Tomatometer” rating and 79% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, “The Power of the Dog” only made $54,608 at the box office compared to its $35 million-plus budget.

“The West Side Story” (2021) This 2021 film adaptation is directed by the man, the myth, the legend, Steven Spielberg, with cinematography by Janusz Kamiński and music by Leonard Bernstein, the original composer of the 1961 adaptation.

Casting includes Tony (Ansel Elgort), Maria (Rachel Zegler), Velma (Maddie Ziegler), Anita (Ariana DeBose), Bernardo (David Alvarez), Riff (Mike Faist) and Valentina (Rita Moreno). Interestingly enough, this film was released without English subtitles for the Spanish dialogue, purposely done by Spielberg out of respect and inclusivity for the Latinx community. This romantic drama is inspired by the likes of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Once again adapted to tell the tale of the long-standing feud

between The Jets, a gang of white youths, and the Puerto Rican Sharks, on the downtrodden streets of Manhattan’s west side. Stuck in the middle are Tony (Ansel) and Maria (Rachel), facing forbidden love as a mixed-race couple in a time when racial tensions were high.

With an incredible $100 million budget, “West Side Story” (2021) only brought in $70.5 million. Yet again the critical response is favorable with a 92% “Tomatometer” rating and a 94% audience score from Rotten Tomatoes.

“King Richard” Here is yet another based on a true story film, except this time it is fully autobiographical rather than semiautobiographical. “King Richard” is directed by Reina Ido Marcus Green with cinematography by Robert Elswit. The casting includes Richard Wiliams (Will Smith) in the title role, with Brandi Williams (Aunjanue Ellis), Venus Willaims (Saniyya Sidney), Serena Willaims (Demi Singleton), Paul Cohen (Tony Goldwyn) and Rick Macci (Jon Bernthal).

“King Richard” is a sports drama based on the true story of Serena and Venus Williams’ adolescence. The story follows determined father, Richard Williams, and his two daughters. Wielding his 78-page plan outlining his hopes and dreams for his children, Richard (Smith) takes to the tennis courts of Compton, California to train his daughters to become pro-tennis players all the while repeatedly facing incredible challenges. “King Richard” was primarily streamed on HBO Max by two million households in the United States within 30 days of being released. Budgeted at $50 million, the movie fell short with a gross worldwide box office of $34.9 million.

Its critical response had a favorable 90% “Tomatometer” rating and 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“CODA” This film was released on Apple+ and was directed by Sian Heder with cinematography

by Paula Huidobro. This film, unlike many others, actually uses a combination of American Sign Language and spoken English.

This film was adapted from a 2014 French comedy-drama called “La Famille Belier.” Coincidentally enough, “CODA” is a co-production between the United States, Canada and France. “CODA” is a heartwarming story of a 17-year-old girl named Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones). Ruby happens to be the sole hearing member of her family, all of whom are deaf. Ruby acts as the de facto interpreter for her parents and older brother while working on her family’s fishing boat and wrestling with the normalcy of being a high school girl. Despite all her struggles, she soon finds solace in joining the high school choir club. Critics praised “CODA” for its inclusivity as it is the first movie on Apple+ with a predominantly deaf cast. Its favorable reception is mirrored by Rotten Tomatoes with a 95% “Tomatometer” rating and a 93% audience score. However, the response from the deaf community has varied. Some of the deaf communities have praised it for its inclusivity while others have stated that it misrepresents people who are deaf and their competence in 2021.

14 SPORTS

EDITOR: MEGAN ANGELO | @STMURATTLERNEWS | MARCH 3, 2022

Basketball hall of fame legend Buddy Meyer, gone too soon MEGAN ANGELO SPORTS EDITOR

On Friday, Feb. 4, the St. Mary’s University athletics department lost a very special member who had over 40 years of dedicated service. Herman A. “Buddy” Meyer passed away at the age of 82 years old. Meyer has an extensive history with St. Mary’s University, playing on the team and serving as the basketball team’s coach. Meyer has landed a spot in the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame among many other halls of fame after 27 years of dedicated service to the athletics department. Over his last 40 years with the university, he has been a major factor in much of the university’s success and has overseen many of the school’s national championships. Meyer has been a constant since his time in 1961.

Meyer began his career as a physical education major and student-athlete at St. Mary’s in 1961. He eventually became the athletics director. He was a member of the men’s basketball team as the point guard. In his four years as a member of the team, he was ranked fifth on the St. Mary’s all-time

scoring list with 1,581 points. In his playing days, he was the first St. Mary’s athlete to earn first team All-Conference honors for four consecutive years. His no. 44 player jersey was later retired by the university in 2003.

One of the highlights of his playing time was when his clutch free throws during the final seconds against East Texas State helped send the Rattlers to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Tournament for the first time in school history.

After Meyer’s graduation, he went on to coach high school basketball locally in San Antonio for a few years at Antonian High School, even leading to a state championship in his last season in 1968. It wasn’t until 1968 when he returned to the St. Mary’s Athletic department as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team under coach Ed Messbarger. Meyer spent ten years as an assistant until he was named head coach in 1978 and remembered for that ever since.

Meyer served as head coach for the Rattlers from 1978 to 2005. During his tenure, his Rattler teams won 530 games while only losing 252 during those years.

His winning percentage was at 67.8 for the

27 seasons he served as coach. During the time that his team was in the NAIA they accumulated a record of 424-188, which lands him among the all-time leaders for wins in NAIA history. It was also during his time as coach that the Rattlers won the NAIA Championship in 1989. Meyers teams had 17 Conference Championships and 13 NAIA National tournament appearances.

Meyer was also named Coach of the Year 15 times.

Meyer didn’t only spend those 27 years as head coach, but he also served as the Athletics Director for the university from 1980-2001. It was during his time as Athletics Director that the Rattlers transitioned from the NAIA to becoming an NCAA Division II school. One of the greatest feats during his tenure was the fact that his student-athletes had an 80% graduation rate. Meyer’s time as Athletics Director stressed the concept of the student-athlete. It was important for his student-athletes to complete their education, as it was just as important to what they are doing in their respective sports. After his time as Athletics Director ended, groups of alumni and friends established the Herman

A. “Buddy” Meyer Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund to help provide financial assistance to students and team managers whose athletic eligibility had expired during their time at the university.

Meyer officially retired from coaching in 2005. In 2007, he was elected to the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame. During that year the court at Bill Greehey Arena was named the “Buddy and Anna Meyer Court.”

The legacy of success that Meyer was able to leave behind will forever be remembered in the history of not only St. Mary’s but also the San Antonio area. Even San Antonio Spurs head coach Greg Popovich was touched by Meyer’s legacy stating, “He was a wonderful man, and we got to know him because, in retirement, he really enjoyed coming to practices... he just loved being there, being in the environment, being in the gym. You got to realize what a wonderful guy he was.

A sweet loving man.”

Buddy Meyer was more than just a coach, he was someone who was able to sculpt hard-working athletes with strong characters, who went on to make the world a better place.

Photos courtesy of San Antonio Express News and Antonian College Preperatory High School

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1. Buddy Meyer coaching at St. Mary’s. 2. Buddy coaching on the court. 3. Buddy recognized as Antonian basketball coach. 4. Young Buddy Meyer.

SPORTS 15

MARCH 3, 2022 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

Life After Sports panel discusses collegiate athletes’ careers OZZY ALVARADO STAFF WRITER

For many athletes, dreams of making it to the NBA, WNBA and other professional leagues often end sooner than many would’ve hoped. According to the NCAA in 2019, roughly 480,000 high school athletes go on to compete at the college level out of an astounding nearly 8 million. And beyond that, out of the 33,000 who are eligible to be drafted for the major sports that have drafts, only 1,200 college athletes get their names called on draft day. For those who don’t go to that next level of their sport, some of them might feel a bit lost and not sure what that next step might be. Especially since, for a lot of these dedicated athletes, the sport they played was such a pivotal part of their life for so long.

Luckily, St. Mary’s University has recognized this and decided to take action in hopes of making life after graduation easier for Rattler student-athletes. The St. Mary’s athletic department, aided by the Career and Professional Development Center, was able to hold the inaugural Life After Sports panel in late January to kick off the year right.

The panel included a ton of familiar faces coach before he went on to become assistant to Rattler athletics that included: Bobby principal, then a principal, then onto the “Dr. J” Jaklich, who balled up for the men’s executive director of human resources and basketball team in 1981; Laura Cabanilla, finally, superintendent. Just last year, he who broke ankles in women’s basketball joined SAISD after being named the 2017 games in 2001; Rich Dupre, who chipped Texas Association of School Boards Region and putted his way onto the men’s golf team 3 Superintendent of the year. He graduated from 1990-92 and Theresa Urbanovsky, who from St. Mary’s with a Bachelor of Arts. stole bases and hit dingers for the softball Cabanilla received the San Antonio team from 1992-94. It was these great ex- Business Journal “40 Under 40” Award as athletes who spoke to approximately 30 of well as the San Antonio Business Journal our current student-athletes about their lives 2021 Women’s Leadership Award while after graduation and, more specifically, how holding the role of Corporate Responsibility their skills as being both an athlete Director strategy lead over at USAA. Laura and a student can translate to the earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political business world.

Science from St. Mary’s.

Afterward, they hosted a Dupre has spent time with Q&A period before the group companies such as The came together for a 45-minute Expo Group, Follett networking reception, where School Solutions, students had the opportunity to have Pinnacle Decorating one-on-one conversations with the and Norwood members on the panel.

Corporation where Panelists also provided he gained over insights into what they went 27 years of sales on to do after their college careers. experience. Now, Jaklich began his education career 40 years Rich is with The ago by becoming both a teacher and a Graphic by Demi Bestor Cengage Group,

which might ring a bell for many students reading this, as a National Strategic Account Manager for their wholesale channels. He graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration.

Finishing off strong, Urbanovsky did not only play one sport for the Rattlers but two. She played both volleyball and softball but found more success with softball where she helped lead the team to the national tournament while being on the field for three years. Now, she begins her 28th year of coaching and was recently named by Express News Softball Coach of the Year in 2021 after leading Judson High School to a secondplace finish at the state tournament. While you may have thought her achievements ended there, she is also one of only four head coaches of the St. Mary’s softball team in the school’s history.

St. Mary’s plans to make this panel a yearly event in order to help more and more of our student-athletes who have given much of their time and effort to give back real-world advice and connections in return that can prove to be useful to them in the near and far future.

LSC honor roll students show dedication on and off fields MEGAN ANGELO SPORTS EDITOR

Marlon Flores Cian Foley Dani Gimena Bradley Greene Raul Guillamon-Bejar Martin Ibarreche Morgan Miller

The 2021 Fall Commissioner’s Honor Roll recognizes 157 Rattlers for their outstanding academic achievement. These athletes are dedicated on and off the field to their studies and sport of choice. 23 Rattlers were acknowledged for a 4.0 GPA. Names listed with an asterisk after them earned a 4.0 GPA in the Fall 2021 semester.

Women's Soccer (21)

Baseball (35) Brett Atkinson Tyler Battersby Clay Bradford Brandon Broughton Brett Brown Mauro Bustamante Marcus Cortez Marshall Durham Ryan Espinosa Caden Floyd Cole Frazier Devin Goins Trey Guajardo Karlo Kalifa Jared Laque* Adrian Losoya Ty Luper Jake Mares*

Ryan McGowen Dillon McKee Steven Medrano Ethan Miller Mason Minister Tristan Moreno Justin Ortega Easton Parrish* Tyler Pauly* Aiden Perez Victor Perry Ryan Romine* Robert Ruff Connor Schmidt Jake Sims Nick Swanson Primo Vasquez

Softball (17)

Jadyn Abrego Victoria Aldridge Madeline Bloom Cassidy Brawley Abigale Carney Catalina Cavazos Bari Christian Nikkolette Hernandez Reina Herrera

Rebekah Hubacek* Tiffany Licon Rebecca Mackey Cassidy Mageors Katerna McLennan Reba Reyes Aracelli Sanchez Savannah Youngblood

Alain Peralt Ismael Ramos Alonso Rodriguez Andre Schlaefli* Mohammed Shaik* Cooper Stephens Dante Valencia

Photo courtesy of Rattler Athletics

Men’s Basketball (9) Timmy Benavides Mamady Djikine Tyler Gertson Brian Luis Jaden Moore

Ryan Salinas Keldyn Schubert Luke Schultz Tavion Varela

Women’s Basketball (8) Brianna Ford Sydney Hardeman Michaela Kucera Briley Perkins

Faith Phillips Alexis Robinson Natalia Ryng Hannah Wilson

Volleyball (11)

Julia Aleman Leah Cruz Julia Deais Josie Disponette* Aislan Lennon Nadia Manitzas

Rachel McDonald Cali Nims Lindsey Ogle Alissa Tolbert Alicia Virthe

Women’s Tennis (10) Janie Cheverie Maria Garcia Bailey Godwin* Gabi Ioannou Elena Munoz

Ashley Penshorn Callah Preti* Alice Thane* Angela Vargas Marina Vigil*

Men’s Tennis (13) Sebastian Azcui Graidyn Bowe Jake Faryniarz Oskar Irdoja Niklas Knoerr Ryan Koth Nicholas Llosa

Daniel Baldor Pablo Baroja Chad Nguyen Yu Senda Alvaro Soler Mario Urdaneta

Men’s Soccer (19) Tony Andoyan* Jalil Blalock Edu Bonnato*

Paul Claffey Deni Cresto

Mackenzie Bell Tanya Brouse* Eliza Cerda Megan Copeland Rebecca Difronzo Juni Ejere Jade Hickey Rylie Kieny Cameron Koerner* Avery Looney Eliza Merrion*

Alexis Nunez Tori Permillion* Laura Poole Bella Ramirez Alessandra Rivera Beth Saxon Barbara Smith Love’ Tovar Kylie Von Holle* Maggie Wirebaugh

Women’s Golf (7) Estelle Beck Maria Ferrer* Rebecca Reed*

Sofia Ruescas Megan Sells Madalyn Trevino

Men’s Golf (7) Ryan Dixon Aidan Fitzgrald Christian Hansen Tanner Lundgren

Santiago Sabogal Alejandro Santibanez Sebastian Tannum

St. Mary’s Grading Scale A AB+ B

4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00

95-100 90-94 87-89 84-86

Graphic by Megan Angelo

Photos and design by Adrianna Mirabal

16 FEATURES

EDITOR: ADRIANNA MIRABAL | @STMURATTLERNEWS | MARCH 3, 2022

The Rattler Presents