The South Texan Vol. 96 Issue 11

TheSouthTexan

Texas A&M University-Kingsville Award-Winning

Student Publication

Music by students for students

professional level quality playing,” Zinninger said.

The idea comes from the state of the art recording studio built within the School of Music’s new building that opened in 2020.

“Out of the Blue,” a trumpet ensemble recorded album released in November.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville School of Music recently released two albums within the last year, becoming one of the few schools to record and release albums in the country.

The School of Music’s Jazz Combo released an album titled “Dendrology,” a name coming from a piece composed by Joseph Hernandez who played piano in the album.

“Dendrology” was an album mostly composed and fully recorded by students.

“It’s important because it gives them a solid record

of what they did here... It’s preserved for all of time… that shows exactly in a very high quality way, what they worked on and the album is almost entirely student composition,” Director of

Jazz Studies and Assistant Professor of Saxophone Dr. Thomas Zinninger said. The “Dendrology” album recording has a few yet-to-be released songs following the ology theme.

“It’s rare to produce an album I think of that high quality especially for undergrad students studying jazz at an institution of higher learning like this. I think some of that rivals

Taking helm of Student Success

“Back when I was their age you always wanted to get recordings of live performances because the live performance was the best, it had the best energy, it had the best performance, even though it might not be totally clean, it was the one we kind of wanted to emulate,” Associate Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Dr. Kyle Millsap said.

After receiving the song compositions, Millsap wanted to be the frst premiere recording for the compositions before

‘Why would I mispronounce my own name?’

show to Texas A&M University-Kingsville Tuesday, March 7.

This was only the second time Herrera performed in Texas.

Irma Herrera, the once quiet and shy kid and proud Alice, Texas native, performs in her self-written play sharing the story of reclaiming her name as a Mexican American, touring the country bringing awareness to civil rights and social justice.

“Why would I mispronounce my own name?” is a one-woman show written by Herrera. She brought the

Online Beat

Do you not subscribe to ?

Catch up on exclusive stories about our campus and community when you sign up for our newsletter. Here’s a sneak peak of what you missed online.

Have you seen our broadcast?

Check out the Javelina Broadcast Network on the Javelina Media Experience YouTube channel.

“I’ve been inspired by many, many things. Mostly, I am concerned about people treating others fairly and when we don’t bother to learn the pronunciation of someone’s name, we’re disrespectful and it is often the case that for people of color we have to make adjustments so that white Anglo-Saxon European Americans don’t have to struggle with our names and to me that’s just not fair. I’ve spent my career working for civil rights for social justice,” she said.

The play is a creative

nonfction story made up of events from her life and the historical events of Mexican Americans throughout history, from Felix Longoria and Jose Torres.

Herrera attended then Texas A&I University before transferring to St. Mary’s in San Antonio when she was 18, fulflling her dreams to live in a big

city. She eventually moved to South Bend, Ind., where she attended law school at the University of Notre

An announcement sent on Friday, March 3, named Dr. Maria E. Velez-Hernandez interim Vice President of Student Success, and with this change a new advising model is expected.

Velez is honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve in her new role.

“The staf, faculty and students who work in the Center for Student Success are committed to supporting our students and will continue to work towards the north star: Student Success,” she said. “In this new role, I hope to lead our team in strengthening the services and facilities that serve our student body to continue to support them in their path to graduation.”

The announcement also thanked former Assistant Vice President of Student Success Dr. Shannon Baker for her years of service and the growth she brought to the Center for Student Success.

“Dr. Velez-Hernandez will continue the programs and initiatives already in place. She will be looking for ways to improve our services to students,” interim Provost Darin Hoskisson said.

Velez most recently

Coloring the seasons, celebrating Holi

Students celebrate the colorful holiday

University students joined a traditional festival of colors, spring and love at an event marking Holi on campus on March 8.

Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the end of the winter season and welcomes the arrival of spring. This festival not only celebrates the changing of the seasons but it’s a day to meet others, create memorable moments and repair broken relationships.

“It’s a festival of good over evil. There was a demon called Holika; she was killed by the gods. So, this is how we celebrate the celebration of good over evil. It’s a celebration of love,

colors and lights,” Kayva Garkapogula, graduate student, said.

Typically, on the night before the festival, the tradition of “Holika Dahan” takes place which is the burning of wooden sticks that symbolize the legend of Holika and Prahalad.

Yash Jaiswal, president of the Association of Indian Students at TAMUK, described that Holi is celebrated on a grand and lavish level and is one of the major festivals celebrated. While the festival only lasts a day here, the celebration could last from two to three days in India.

“For me personally, Holi means coming out and enjoying to the fullest with friends and colors and being able to create some of the fondest memories. I enjoy playing with the colors and having some

traditional Holi delicacies that are prepared during the festival,” Jaiswal said.

While Holi is mostly celebrated in India, there were quite a few students who knew about the festival and the meaning behind it.

TAMUK senior Etta Enow said she heard of

what Holi stood for in her hometown. She expressed how she admired that the festival acted as a new beginning at which people are able to release all their inhibitions and start fresh.

Other students who attended the event not only enjoyed the festival

but got to experience and learn what it was about while taking in another’s culture. TAMUK senior Velen Lenor said that while the university is heavy in the Mexican American culture, there are many other groups we can learn from.

Photo by Dominic Valdez

Students rub and throw colored paint on each other in celebration of the holiday.

Photo by Erik Estrada

Herrera in front of a picture of Sergio Romo, whoes shirt sparked controversy, one of the many key moments of her show.

Photo by Dominic Valdez

Juan Sanchez plays the trumpet in the School of Music’s recording studio.

Dr. Maria E. Velez-

Mujeres A Través Del Tiempo

The university will be honoring and celebrating the book “Women Across Time/Mujeres a Través del Tiempo” and the mural that inspired it.

Women leading women

TAMUK honors

Women on International Women’s Day

Each year on March 8, International Women’s Day, women are recognized and celebrated around the world and on campus.

Student Engagement and Campus Life hosted the frst of what’s to be an annual event recognizing female student leaders on campus from diferent organizations and colleges.

Students recognized were nominated by faculty, staf or students on campus.

Miss TAMUK opened the event inviting Dr. Rito Silva, who was raised by a single mother and grandmother to speak. Silva said he will always be an advocate for women at Javelina Nation.

“We are women. We’re here. We’re going make our mark. We’re going to impact I don’t know how many future Javelina generations […] and that’s just something that I hope that these wom en, these nominees are able to recognize and that whatever they’re doing on campus will make a diference,” First Year and Family Engagement Coordinator Julianne Go mez said.

The event came after SECL noticed there were no events throughout Women’s History Month highlighting female stu dent leaders.

“It’s defnitely an hon-

or. It feels that I’m getting recognized for the hard work I do but not only that I’m just a representation of all the amazing women that are in my sorority and every single thing they do because there is 40 other women who are completely and entirely involved in our organization and they are amazing,” Marketing major and Sisterhood Chairman for Theta Phi Alpha Angelica Alvarez said. Alvarez, a marketing intern for the Center for Student Success, says she leads by putting her best foot forward, being kind to all, leading by example and showing it’s okay to ask for help.

Javelina Cheerleader and General Business major Alyssa Trejo was also among the students recognized

“There’s so many strong women and more women are entering the workplace and it’s really just amazing I think that [women] need to be recognized especially because we work so hard to get where we are now and so it’s just awesome

we have this,” Trejo said.

Student nominees also included from the Campus Activities Board - Sophia Yzaguirre, from Alpha Sigma Alpha - Ellen Henry, from Delta Phi Epsilon - Leigha Rodriguez, from Kappa Delta Chi

- Clarissa Cadena, from Student EngagementMicaela Gracia, from Rec Sports - Mercedes Macias, from Athletics - Jory Cervantes, from Women’s Track & Field - Vitiana Robert, from Student Government Association

- Jacquelyn Estelle, from Housing & Residence Life - Anika Martinez, from Student Health & Wellness - Esmeralda Gutierrez, from the College of Education & Human Performance - Juana Villanueva, from the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources - Eva Morgan, from the College of Business Administration - Mitzi De La Cruz, from the College of Engineering - Alicia Grey, and from the College of Arts & Sciences - Erial Hawkins.

Mujeres A Través Del Tiempo is a free and open to the public event that is taking place from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, in the Memorial Student Union Ballrooms on campus.

The mural was gifted to the university by artist Dr. Arnold Gonzalez. Gonzalez obtained his degree from this university, and his mural is valued at more than $100,000. The book was edited by Dr. Susan Roberson.

Inside this book, 16 South Texas women are featured who made an impact in the area. Thirteen of these women have ties to this university as professors or staf members and all these women were infuential in either music and entertainment or ranching, education and politics.

Dr. Manuel Flores, who wrote chapters in the book, believes the book showcases women who were part of the fabulous history of South Texas.

“The stories are excellent

and inspirational, and they show the struggles many South Texan women had to endure in order to make a diference in this region,” he said. “It also shows that women rose above the dust storm of cattle drives and ranching and discrimination of all kinds in politics and education to be a part of this marvelous and historic area of our state.”

Dr. Pamela Wright was one of the authors who contributed to the book as well.

“This project was so enjoyable,” she said. “I had access to Dr. Clotilde Garcia’s archives. I spent hours reading through her papers, and actually touching documents she herself handled or created. It was such an honor to be able to tell a bit of her story in this way. She had such a significant impact here in South Texas.”

“As a woman myself, I understand how important it is to tell women’s stories because women’s voices are often silenced–especially the voices of minority women like Dr. Cleo,” Wright continued.

“She was such a pioneer, being one of the frst Mexican American women to become a medical doctor in Texas. It feels good to be a part of such an important project, recording the impact that women like her have had in the region.”

Wright believes it is important that we celebrate

and or recognize Women’s History Month.

“For far too long, history has been written by men,” she said. “Women’s History Month wasn’t even ofcially recognized until 1987, which is extremely late when looking back through history. That’s exactly why it’s important to note the history written and made by women. We were making history all along, but it took a long time to recognize and celebrate that fact.”

Elisa Guerra, manager of operations and planning for the College of Arts and Sciences, is part of the event’s planning committee.

“This book provides an opportunity to showcase how women in South Texas found their place in avenues long dominated by men,” Guerra said. “Individually, and taken together, the chapters showcase the contributions made by women and highlight their strengths and talents.”

Guerra believes that the book and mural impact not only students but especially female students.

“Both works serve as reminders of those who came before us and the paths they blazed, inspiring future generations of Javelina women to leave their mark,” she said.

The mural is displayed in the Ballrooms of the Memorial Student Union ballroom.

Spring Fling coming soon

Organizations get ready for annual carnival

Spring Fling, TAMUK’S annual carnival flled with games, food and fun and hosted by the Campus Activities Board (CAB), is just around the corner. As in past years, students and the community are encouraged to come out and participate.

Many organizations and students are expected, with a variety of different games and booths open to the public on University Boulevard on March 29.

Lizzetty Lara, the Campus Activities Coordinator, is expecting much participation.

“As of now we have 44 booths registered to participate, and I am expect-

ing the fnal number to be around 70,” Lara said. Some of the organizations participating include one of the sororities, Delta Phi Epsilon, which is selling diferent sodas at the event.

“Spring Fling is a great way for students to connect,” Melissa Mendez, vice president of programming, said. “I look forward to meeting and supporting other organizations on campus, and it also allows community members and maybe even future Javelinas to get a glimpse of everything TAMUK ofers.”

Another organization participating is TAMUK Dance Marathon. Joshua Macareno is the Director of Finance and Sponsorship and discussed the group’s plans for Spring Fling.

“This year we are host-

ing a dunking booth, to which all the proceeds will go to Driscoll Children’s Hospital,” he said.

CAB is also hosting its own booth at the carnival, a photobooth which will give students the opportunity to receive free pictures.

Kathryn Rodriguez, a student, is looking forward to the event.

“My favorite part of Spring Fling is the food obviously, and it’s always exciting to see how everyone advertises for their booths,” Rodriguez said.

Spring Fling begins at 5 p.m. on March 29 on University Boulevard. For more information students and the community are encouraged to look out for updates on Instagram from @tamukcab or to contact Lara at lizzetty. lara@tamuk.edu

Honoring STX women, their legacies

Photo by Dominic Valdez

Student Eva Morgan taking a picture with Javier Mendoza and Erin McClure.

Review: Some bugs are worth experiencing

Bring peace to a dilapidated kingdom as you learn its secrets

An enormous quest in a small world created by an even smaller studio, Team Cherry, “Hollow Knight” will have you exploring the ruins of Hallownest as a small yet shockingly strong bug knight. Your character doesn’t do any speaking but the world is bustling with interesting critters, characters and enemies.

“Hollow Knight” is a game in the metroidvania genre. Metroidvanias are adventure platformers that let the player explore a large 2D world space that has interconnected points and areas meant for backtracking (returning to areas previously visited but with newly acquired abilities to overcome new obstacles).

The Knight’s moveset is rudimentary at frst with

only directional swings, the ability to heal and a single jump but within a few hours of playing, you should have a far more robust set of tools and powers to choose from.

The world of Hallownest carries a beautifully somber tone throughout every area you visit and it’s a feeling that you can immediately pick up from the music, the art style and the color palettes chosen.

The music when exploring is mellow and that even goes for the combat situations.

Boss fghts are where you’ll hear the soundtrack pick up yet the music doesn’t make an efort to distract you from the often-difcult battles you’ll be forced to face.

The color choice for the kingdom bathes it in melancholic hues and heavy shadows. Somehow even the lights feel dark in these environments despite their gentle glow.

The games hand drawn art style has dense lines to separate the colors and break up designs, which

in turn makes the world easier to read for the player while also providing a unique visual style to make it stand out from other games in the same genre.

For as compelling as the world is, much of the game’s shortcomings come from the traveling and navigation, since doing either feels more like a chore than a convenience.

It’s not engaging to run a third of the way across a maze-like map to reach a fast travel station and having your character be visible on the map

shouldn’t require an equipment slot.

The plot is more read than told for “Hollow Knight” but I don’t think that’s a bad thing since it’s not necessary to know every story beat.

However, if the player decides to pursue the written history sprinkled throughout the map, they’ll fnd interesting mysteries and hidden locations.

“Hollow Knight” is an incredibly solid experience and I recommend it to anyone looking for a metroidvania with a decent challenge.

Review: Murdaugh Murders: Money, Power, Greed

A history of corruption and control

How to Adult: Ensuring that your car has insurance

A surefre way to make the road feel smoother

ter what, you’re going to want some insurance for if (and hopefully not when) that happens.

you.

Driving can be a daunting part of our daily lives and it’s easier than it seems to get into trouble even if you’ve got a decent amount of experience on the road.

Sometimes the trouble might not even be something you yourself caused but no mat-

You may have gotten a warranty when buying your car which will help with the occasional small repair but you’ll need some insurance to cover you whenever something unmanageable on your own happens.

To start the process of getting your car insured, you’ll need to get in contact with diferent agencies.

Either drop by for a visit or give them a call to see what they can do for

It’s bad to go into any situation blind so feel free to ask them any questions for something in the process that you don’t understand.

Once you’ve gotten in touch with the agency, you should start asking them about what coverage plans they can ofer you.

It’s also worthwhile to check if there’s any special deals that they might have but had forgotten to mention.

After you fnd a plan or bundle that suits your needs (you can also fnd this information online if you don’t want to inquire about it over the phone/ in person) give them the necessary information regarding yourself, your car and your most recent accident history.

Accidents will have an impact on the rates that they give you.

After you provide the company with this infor-

mation, they should provide you with a standard monthly rate that’ll cover the plan you picked out.

If you’re not completely sold on the price, you don’t need to commit to it.

At that point, you can reach out to diferent agencies and repeat the process to see if any of them have better ofers than the initial company you reached out to.

Eventually you fnd that perfect price (or end up back at your original ofer).

Then you’ll just need to set up your payments and provide any additional information that they require in the fnal parts of the process.

Once you’ve got your insurance in hand (or the glove box) then you’ll be ready for whatever the road throws at you, which will hopefully be nothing.

Would be a shame to raise those rates.

“Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal” is a Netfix series that takes you down the dark history of a boating crash that killed Mallory Beach and the even darker history of the people responsible, Paul Murdaugh and his family.

Mallory Beach, 19, was killed in a 2019 boating accident.

Paul Murdaugh was driving under the infuence and wrecked into a bridge that ultimately threw Beach of the boat.

Although there were others on the boat that were also thrown, Beach never resurfaced after being thrown and was missing for eight days before they found her deceased body.

The mini-series focuses in on the Murdaugh family and how corrupt the family was.

I think that the fact that the people involved with the series were the survivors from the boating crash and the people who were closest to Paul speak volumes about how corrupt the Murdaugh family was.

They explained how the family tried to tell lies and how they would control the local police system so their son, Paul Murdaugh, wouldn’t get

in trouble. Something they often did for years. I think the series did an excellent job on describing the history of the family, showing a timeline of events that took place which prove how twisted and selfsh they were and showed the audience how a single family controlled a whole town for generations.

I watched the series at a perfect time because just three days after I watched it Paul’s father, Alex Murdaugh, was found guilty of murdering his son, Paul, and wife, Maggie.

The trial was widely viewed around the United States and all over the media for a few days.

Alex killed Paul and Maggie just two years after the boating accident.

He denies killing them; however, all the evidence points to him.

I believe that the series being released, the whole trial and end result of the trial reveal that the family no longer has as much power as they once had for the generations that passed.

It is mind blowing how much they got away with but I’m glad someone is fnally paying for the bizarre actions that they got away with for so long.

If you haven’t watched this series, I recommend that you do. You’re in for a shocking ride if you do decide to tune in.

Image from hollowknight.com

Our Opinion Transgender’s battle for equal rights continue

Texas House Republicans introduced HB 23 in late February; a bill that would work to restrict participation in athletic-related activities based on biological sex. The act titled Save Women’s Sports Act would go into efect Sept. 1 if passed. It aims to amend the Texas Education Code to make students participate in athletics based on biological sex, barring the participation of students in the sports of opposite sex. It would apply to those who participate against public schools, including charter and private schools.

The code only accepts gender listed on birth certifcates at the time of a student’s birth or changes due to clerical errors. The amended code only allows for the stated biological sex to participate with the opposite sex if that sport is not ofered for women. It would afect K-12 and students of higher education if passed.

This is just another in the long, ever-expanding line of oppressive and regressive bills pushed by the Republican Party that continues to write legislation cutting LGBTQ+ rights. Passing laws and making changes like these will not positively impact society but will further alienate LGBTQ+ athletes from spaces they feel comfortable. We are regressing instead of moving forward as a state and country. Transgender men and women athletes should be treated fairly and with the same dignity as other athletes, they work just as hard if not harder to be recognized in their sports.

As students who do their best in and out of the classroom it’s hard to stand by and watch others be pushed to the side for simply being their true self, something many - if not - all struggle to do.

Texas is a vastly diferent place in the year 2023. With the changes in the world around us, it is time to evaluate what kind of policies and rules we have put in place for the transgender community. They are people who deserve the same rights as everyone else, but the Republican Party continues to prove that though we are not necessarily separate, we for sure are not equals in this state and country.

The Texas government has been staunched in their LGBTQ+ views for many years, and the bills and legislation against the community continue to be written. Athletes are athletes no matter the circumstance and to restrict them without a clear solution is an attack on a community whose equality has been stepped on for far too long.

A mommy takes on higher education

Being a student and a parent simultaneously is a highly arduous and challenging undertaking that requires much time, efort and dedication to manage both roles successfully. Juggling coursework, studying for exams, attending classes, and caring for a baby can afect a student’s mental and physical health.

As a college student with a baby, I have experienced frsthand the stresses and challenges of this responsibility. One of

the biggest challenges in today’s fast-paced world is scheduling doctor appointments. The baby’s health requires attending regular check-ups, but these appointments can be difcult to ft around classes and other responsibilities.

I often have to schedule appointments during my free time, which can sometimes mean excluding myself from social events or study groups. Finding childcare when I have my own appointments can also be a struggle, as many childcare facilities do not ofer short-term care. Attending classes can also be challenging, especially if the baby is fussy or

needs attention during class time. I have had to miss classes or leave early due to my baby’s needs, impacting my ability to complete work and engage in class.

Concentrating during class can also be difcult if I am worried about the baby’s well-being or sleep-deprived from taking care of the baby during the night.

Furthermore, balancing coursework, baby care, and other personal responsibilities can be an immense challenge, requiring great organization and time management skills.

On top of attending classes and studying for exams, I have to ensure the baby is fed, changed,

and entertained. It means that I often have to prioritize tasks and make sacrifces, such as skipping social events or cutting back on hours at work. Overall, being a student with a child can be a demanding and challenging experience. It requires careful planning, prioritization, and support from family, friends and professors. I still believe that student-parents can succeed academically while caring for their children with the proper support and resources. Therefore, colleges should ofer resources and accommodations for students with children, such as on-campus childcare and fexible scheduling options.

Monopoly is more than just a game

The idea of owning and having control over your favorite things may seem like a fun idea initially but that idea is a legitimate reality for many major companies. In the last couple decades, we’ve seen companies make big waves in the industry such as Discovery acquiring WarnerMedia (Warner Bros), Microsoft buying Bethesda and their subsidiaries, and Disney acquiring rights to massive fran-

chises as seen with Marvel and Star Wars. There’s still a good number of independent companies creating unique projects but there may come the day that they get bought as well.

I can understand why people wouldn’t mind these kinds of changes since it could lead to the consolidation of streaming media thus making it potentially cheaper down the line to enjoy your favorite kinds of media. However, if a company has control over a majority of the content people want to watch then they could raise prices with little to no pushback due to the lack of competition. We are already see-

ing this be done with current streaming services where they’re attempting to make more money by forcing customers to pay for diferent tiers on their services. Netfix, for example, has been especially egregious with its attempts to push more subscriptions by fghting against password sharing and raising base prices since it has shows and flms that are in high demand (many of which are produced by Netfix itself) that can’t be viewed anywhere else legitimately. More competitors with better oferings and a wider variety of content could result in prices decreasing across the board as companies try to keep

their services afoat. I’d prefer if there were more independent companies making media since consolidation could also lead to various products being hindered by the same deadlines, budgets and perspectives from the companies producing them. Entertainment is something that should be free of the restrictions that come with larger-than-life mergers and multi-property owners. I think creativity can shine brighter through independence since the team may have more creative freedom (this depends on who is funding the project since mandates can be imposed by the funder).

A chance for the youth in the Lone Star state

In 2022, the number of youths in foster care in Texas reached 21,691. Though this number is an improvement by over six thousand since 2021, Texas still has the third highest state numbers of youths in the foster system. Texas has gone to great lengths while trying to fx the lingering problem with the foster care system. The state is focus-

ing on the money it needs to divvy out to extended/substitute family of children who take them in while also adjusting the requirements for due process in the presence of a Child Protective Services case, and all of this is important to fx for the future. But these changes alone are not enough to mold the system needed to further help keep our children safe, of the streets, and in a warm bed where they do not have to grow up rough, in what seems a grim existence. The youth in this country are the most

STAFF

Ronni Reyna Editor-in-Chief chief.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Melissa Mata Managing Editor managing.editor@thesouthtexan.com

important asset to this country as every new generation has changed our world in some way but children in the foster system are not given this opportunity.

Kids who enter these types of constructs are either poorly treated or just shufed through the system until it is time for them to go. More than 20,000 youth left foster care in 2020 without reuniting with their parents or having another permanent family home.

Eighteen may be the age you are legal to vote, and many other things, but we throw these

Dylan Sanchez Opinion Editor opinion.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Erik Estrada Digital Editor digital.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Dominic Valdez Asistant Digital Manager

young adults who are still very much children into a world that is mostly unknown to them that does not have any sympathy.

The issue of premature reunifcation is just as bad. These situations lead to constant re-entry to the system or worse. Those who re-enter are more prone to end up in prison down the line and the way the prison system works, it should be on the minds of all that we need to further aid these kids through life until things work out.

These kids need to be given a chance.

Briana Beltran Circulation Manager Aryssa Enriquez Assistant General Manager Student Media aryssa.enriquez@tamuk.edu

The South Texan is a student publication produced by Texas A&M University- Kingsville students. The views, opinions and commentary do not necessarily refect the views of the Texas A&M University system. The South Texan uses student fees in part to publish. The South Texan is part of the Art, Communications, and Theatre Department (ACT) and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA).

Laryssa Salinas Campus Editor campus.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Zena Desouza Chris Olivarez Co-Sports Editors sports.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Frank Villarreal Entertainment Editor entertainment.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Nicole Perez Morris Adviser nicole.morris@tamuk.edu

Abigayle Hayden Senior Reporter

Annalisa Perales Reporter

Mireya Martinez Jessica Tijerina Photographers

Mackenzie

Manager

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.”

TAMUK cheer heads to Florida

Team attending Daytona Cheer Competition

While 20 years have passed since the Javelina cheer team has gone to compete on a national level, they are back for redemption for missing out over the years.

The Javelinas have been given the opportunity to showcase their skills and will be traveling to compete at the 2023 NCA Daytona Beach Classics (DI/DII) happening on April 4 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

“We’re really working

hard trying to get our name out there so people can see us more…and look at us more as a sport. We really work our butts of every day, so we just want people to look at us and know we’re trying our best,” Cheer Captain Rianna Pena said.

The team has been practicing four times a week adding onto their additional schedule to make sure everyone is competition ready.

“We feel really grateful. I actually haven’t gotten the opportunity to compete in Daytona and I know a lot of the girls on the team haven’t either so we’re all really excited. We’re the frst team to go in about 20 years so I’m really excited and I hope that we can do well and win,” Co-Captain Anyssa Flores said.

The Javelinas will be holding a showcase on campus at 6:30 p.m. on March 26 at the Rec. Center for everyone to see the routine they have prepared for the Daytona competition.

“It’ll be our whole routine from start to fnish. We’ll have uniforms, hair done, the boys will have their uniforms, we’ll have Porky out there fully suited up. It’s going to be exciting to see what we bring to the table,” Gameday Captain Alexandra Gonzalez said.

“It’s going to be our frst full out with make-

up, hair, and bows…everything to the T.”

Although the road has been long for the Javelinas they are ready to represent for Javelina nation and come back with a title.

“This year we have really upped our game skillset wise. In the past tumbling was not a requirement for our team, but most of our team has skills that are better than that, so now that we have the opportunity to go to Daytona to showcase our skills on a national level, we’re ready to show the nation what we can do,” Head Cheer Coach Molly Roach said.

Beach volleyball stays competitive

man Olivia Zeigler said.

The Javelinas beach volleyball team has seen the highs and lows early on in the 2023 season.

To kick of the season the women started of with a four-game win streak which was followed with three losses.

Now with a 4-3 record to start the season, some may view this as a not-sogreat start but that may not be the case for these women.

“One thing that has helped so far is reminding myself to focus on the things that I can control, which is my efort and my attitude and I need to make sure that in every match or game I am giving my all to my partner and to my team,” fresh-

With a team mostly comprised of freshmen players, the team has shown itself to be competitive and can win in the big moments. The three losses they have come against bigger schools such as Utah and Tulane University as well as a close loss to Stephen F. Austin.

“I think the biggest thing that we need to work on is consistency in our setting and hitting,”

Assistant Coach Gary Payne said. “I believe our hitting will get better and we will fnish the play sooner and not have longer rallies.”

However, these women are as tough as nails and rather than letting these losses discourage them, they fnd ways to use them as a learning experience and help themselves get better as the season progresses. Along with

this, since the team is fairly young this means that there will be multiple returners next season which will beneft the team.

“There are defnitely learning moments with a young team and a few things that I have learned that have helped me is that you always need to have an open mind and trust your training,” freshman Taylor McCarthy said. “You will hear diferent things from diferent coaches, but always trusting them and always being open to new ideas will help you out and make you a better player.”

As the season continues, expect this team to continue their competitive ways and not back down from any form of competition. The women will be hitting the road for the ULM Bayou Bash in Monroe, La., and their frst opponent will be

Javelina Tennis eyeing conference opponents |

The 2023 season for the tennis team has gotten of to a promising start under Head Coach Autumn Wollenzien, starting out the season 4-3, 1-1 in conference.

The team is going to be getting into more conference play as the season progresses and Coach Wollenzien is confdent with her team and their performance so far.

“This team’s work ethic has been great,” Wollenzien said. “We all understand how much work it takes just to win one match. These ladies come prepared and ready to work hard day after day.”

This is the best start to a season in the frst seven games since the team began the 2020 season 5-2, which was halted and eventually canceled entirely due to the COVID virus.

Though they lost this season’s opener 0-7 to the Corpus Christi Islanders, Coach Wollenzien and her team have taken some commanding victories themselves which has led to this great overall start.

The team is set to face six more conference op-

ponents after its road trip to Florida, which was during Spring Break.

It will be the frst time the team will play on their home court since the loss to the Islanders back on Jan. 30 as they will be taking on Midwestern State on March 24.

Despite the recent traveling and conference play ahead, junior Raina Zafar prioritizes being ready for these kinds of stretches.

“As we play more matches, we get tougher and tougher,” Zafar said. “We’re taking care of our bodies and minds which further helps us to function better as players on courts.”

The Javelinas have a total of six conference matches remaining and a match against Prairie View A&M in between on April 2 until they can reach the Lone Star Conference Tournament on April 20.

Sophomore Manuela Turolo says the team is together and are working towards success.

“To achieve all of our goals we all need to come together as a team during matches, believing all in the same goal and show up at the same time in both singles and doubles,” Turolo said. “Once we will be able to do that, I am sure we will obtain great results.”

Nicholls State at 8 a.m., Friday, March 24.

Photo by Melissa Mata

TAMUK cheer practicing the routine they will be performing in Daytona.

Wollenzien and company prepare for conference play

Photo by Melissa Mata Leyia Vasquez leading the formation.

Photo by Christopher Olivarez

Tennis prepares for Midwestern State match.

Photo by Melissa Mata

Rianna Pena doing a stunt.

the songs were released to others.

“Now because of how much recording has come out over that time the live performance is criticized against a recorded perfected recorded product. By getting themselves to the level of being able to perform in the recording studio with a microphone in your face, diferent kinds of nerves musicians refer to as tape nerves… you get yourself to that level and then the live performance in some ways becomes easier,” Millsap said.

Millsap said there’s only

served as Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences and is an Associate Professor of Biology.

Since joining the university in 2015, Velez has led several grant-funded programs to enhance undergraduate research experience and create a pathway to graduate and doctoral studies, according to the university. In addition to mentoring students in the classroom and lab space, Velez is the founding faculty adviser of the Women in Mathematics, Engineering and Science student organization. Hoskisson is hoping Velez can improve advising at the university.

“One area of particular note is in academic advising,” he said. “We are reimagining how advising might work at TAMUK. Dr. Velez will lead the im-

one other university in the country that has recorded a student ensemble like this, which helps build notoriety for the music program.

“It feels awesome to have our music out there for everyone to hear,” Brandon O’Donohue said in a university press realese.

O’Donohue is a master’s student in Music Performance who recorded on the “Out of the Blue” album.

“It also is a little bit intimidating because there are so many great trumpet albums out there with ours. It is still an honor to be a part of it,” he told the university.

plementation of a new advising model.”

Lastly, Hoskisson wanted to note that the Center of Student Success is vital for students on campus.

“The Center for Student Success is a critical component of the university,” he said. “The services they offer are necessary to ensure students have resources to help them achieve success in the classroom and in their degree program. The university will continue its support of these programs as we move forward under this new leadership.”

Velez plans to make sure the Center for Student Success is just that - successful.

“Working together as a team we will synergistically improve not only the services to our student body, but also the opportunities we give our successful students to become leaders,” she said.

The school plans to continue recording with their students releasing an album every year or two.

“We have students who are willing to be pushed

“What I liked about the event was that it brings awareness to other cultures and that others can appreciate other people’s cultures. It makes me happy to see other people happy that they can celebrate their culture while being away from home,” senior Cristian Miranda said.

out of their comfort zone into something new,” Millsap said. The albums “Dendrology“ and “Out of the Blue” can be found on Spotify.

One hope that Jaiswal had from holding this festival was that students come out and have fun while socializing with others from diferent backgrounds and nationalities.

“People in this festival say to each other ‘Bura naa mano Holi Hai!’ Meaning don’t mind, it’s Holi!,” Jaiswa said.

Dame. “Women’s History Month is so important because we are 50 percent of the population, and we have so much talent and we have made so many contributions to the world wide and we were kept from having a vote, kept from getting an education for thousands of years and as of the last two or three generations, women have had much greater opportunities. I think it’s important to recognize women who are on the move making change today,” she said

Herrera moved to eastern Washington early in her career where she worked representing farm workers before moving to San Francisco working with the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund.

“I found that the stories that I kept writing about, were about some form of injustice, and that often it involved the mispronunciation of someone’s name, or wanting to give someone a diferent name or being asked the question constantly ‘where are you really from?’ As if we are outsiders; many of us have had family here for generations, and yet many, many Latinos/Chicanos are considered not real Americans and so all of those things inspired my play,” Herrera said.

Herrera also worked as

a journalist writing on issues of race, class gender and social justice.

Perla Wheeler, neighbor to Herrera growing up, helped arrange for longtime friend to perform at TAMUK.

“I had seen her show in San Antonio when she brought it and I just thought it was just so inspirational and I thought this was the best time. Women’s History Month would be the best time to get her to come,” she said.

“One thing about Irma is she’s always remained very humble. She traveled the world. She’s done so much, she’s so successful, and it’s great to see her relate to other people.”

In the last 15 years of her career, Herrera headed a women’s rights organization, Equal Rights Advocates, that represented women when it came to discrimination in education and in the workplace.

“I celebrate all women who are working to do, to bring out the best of their tal ents and to pay it forward for other women and for people of color,” Her rera said.

Herrera now resides in San Francisco. For more information on where the play will be performed next or to view a teaser of her play visit https://www.irmaherrera. com/

Photo by Domonic Valdez Joseph Hernandez plays the piano.

Photo by Domonic Valdez

Students covered in paint for Holi.