THE STAFF
Editor & Social Media LiaisonMackenzie Conant
Assistant EditorPaige Heller
Section
Contributer/WriterNatalia Valenzuela
Section
Contributer/WriterAudrey Patton
Layout DesignerKlarysa Saldana
Section
Contributer/WriterBlair Villarreal
Section (Alumni)
Contributor/WriterAaron Rios
Section Contributer/WriterDanna Ramos
PhotographerMatthew Jurenovich
PhotographerMarco Trujillo
Contributing Writers | Susanna Alford, Dr. Trey Guinn
Susanna Alford, MA, Faculty Advisor
Dr. Trey Guinn, Faculty Contributor
EDITOR’S NOTE
by Paige Heller
Welcome back to RED for our special “Red Out” edition! With this being the fourth issue, I want to give all of you readers a shoutout and to pause and say thank you. Thank you for supporting our publication and letting us do something we are passionate about. Mackenzie, the head editor, and I worked over the summer to kick start this magazine with the dream of not only adding to our communication arts department but also to have something else for student’s can be a part of. The idea for this magazine came from a conference that we attended last semester called TIPA, the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, when we competed in design contests. During this conference we were able to see what other colleges and universities around Texas were doing which not only gave us ideas for our department but motivated us to grow the department in every way we can. I wanted to not only share this story of how RED was formed but to hopefully inspire other students to get out there and to follow their ideas. If there is one thing that I am taking away from my college experience is to take every opportunity and to follow through with the things I am passionate about. Some of my favorite memories have been with the people that I have met when joining organizations and the organization events. Also, I have never felt more motivated and happier when I follow ideas that I am passionate about like this magazine. Even if they don’t work out, it gives me fuel to do other things within my life. To all the readers out there, take any opportunity that is presented to you and follow your ideas. Even if it doesn’t work it, you can always learn and gain new experiences from it.
We have some great content for you today and I hope you enjoy reading this issue of RED !
MISS OUT
OCT. 12 | 6:00 pm | Benson Stadium
UIW V. NICHOLLS FOOTBALL
GAME
Cheers to another UIW Football home game at Benson Stadium! Our Cardinals will take on the Nicholls State University Colonels. In tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness month, the game’s theme is Pink Out. In contribution to Pink Out, it is also Family Night. Don’t forget to bring your family members and wear pink to show your support!
#UIWCOMM RUN CLUB MEET UP
OCT. 21 | 6:30 pm | Olmos Basin Park
Your favorite time of the week is back for another meet up! The last Run Club of the month is Tuesday, October 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Olmos Basin Park by the soccer fields. In honor of Halloween approaching, it is encouraged to come dressed up and show your spooky season spirit! Come join your friends and faculty for an active evening.
OCT. 21 | 5:00- 9:00pm | Chipotle on Broadway
LPH CHIPOTLE FUNDRAISER
Our Communication Arts Honor Society, Lambda Pi Eta will be hosting their annual Chipotle Fundraiser at the Broadway and Carnahan St. location. Come join us for a delicious meal and good company. When ordering, mention Lamba Pi Eta to give back to the COMMunity! Hope to see you there.
OPINION
*These*
Are the Best Jonas Brothers Songs
by Danna Ramos
If there is someone who has followed the journey of the Jonas Brothers and has stayed loyal to their discography, it’s me. I’ve been obsessed with Joe, Kevin, and Nick since I was 4 years old, and I think I could say which of their songs are the best when putting lyrics, musicality, and story into perspective. Here is my list of the best songs by the Jonas Brothers, as well as some honorable mentions because five isn’t enough!
3. Montana Sky
The Album, 2023
I can’t really describe the amount of peace that this song brings me. Its lyrics about having a person be their safe place being as beautiful as a Montana Sky or a Georgia sunset? I’m on the floor, that is the cutest thing ever. The verses of this song have a nice dynamic where it is sung on the upbeat and only switches between two notes. It’s rare in Jonas Brothers songs, as their melodies are usually quite colorful, so this sort
of almost-monotone singing shows the contrast between what life feels like with and without the person who is their safe place.
2. Strangers
Happiness Begins, 2019
This song just recently moved up to my top 5 JB songs. I had to see it performed live for me to appreciate it the way it’s supposed to be appreciated. This song talks about fate and how we are destined to be with our person before we even realize it. It gives a girl HOPE. The rhythm changes from verse to the chorus makes the impact of the chorus even more noticeable. Joe’s high notes highlight the power of not being strangers within their destiny and the instrumental towards the end of the song gives you this fuzzy feeling in your chest. I’m not sure if it’s only me, but it makes me feel super emotional.
OPINION
1.
P I E C E S
Just Friends
Jonas Brothers, 2007
When I say this is the best Jonas Brothers song ever, I mean it. Let’s start with the story. It describes the gradual love story of someone who is too shy to talk to their crush, to then only texting small talk on IM (remember that relic?), while dreaming about a life together but saying they’re “just friends.” The bridge then talks about walking down the aisle and finally being more than friends, and how what were once his own dreams are now their shared dreams. You cannot convince me that there is something better than that.
This song, being a fast-paced pop-rock song, displays the intensity of how someone can come to love. The “la la la’s” sung by Joe adds to the emotion one feels when listening to the song, knowing that someone who was once just a friend can become a life partner. I don’t know what else to say except I need this played at my wedding if I ever do get married. Of course, the Jonas Brothers’ discography is stacked so here are some honorable mentions that I recommend to anyone who wants to expand their music taste: Vacation Eyes (The Album, 2023): Joecation eyes. Look it up on TikTok and thank me
later. That’s Just the Way We Roll (Jonas Brothers, 2007): Such a feel-good song! Can’t Have You (A Little Bit Longer, 2008): One of the most powerful bridges and it highlights a lot of Nick’s vocal abilities.
Kids of the Future (Meet the Robinsons, 2007):
Part of the Meet the Robinsons soundtrack; top tier. World War III (Lines, Vines, and Trying Times, 2009): Perfect song to dedicate to a delusional ex. Only Human (Happiness Begins, 2019): Such a good vibe and their little dance is the cutest thing ever!
It was hard coming up with a list of only a few Jonas Brothers songs to recommend, but ultimately the best advice I can give is to listen to each album in its entirety. Their music is very universal in the sense that it can apply to so many scenarios for so many people. Maybe I’m just biased, but there is not one song off their discography I wouldn’t recommend!
“I don’t know what else to say except I need this played at my wedding if I ever do get married.”
There is more, and it is better
Reflecting over my time at UIW as an undergraduate student, I acknowledge how instrumental those years were in shaping who I was then, who I became, and the hero I strive to become tomorrow. Whether it was the challenges I was presented with, the friendships I made, or the mentors I met, each of my experiences have been vital. It was the hurdles and challenges I was presented with that I want to share with you. Those are the experiences that perhaps, at the time may have left me questioning others around me, and even myself.
As a freshman in college, all I knew was that I wanted to be an anchor on the Today Show. I wanted to be the one sitting next to Jenna or Hoda. I arrived at UIW with the mindset that I had what it took to be an tv personality. I remember waking up each day before my roommates, to look in the mirror and say, “Hey You! You’re going to do great things one day! Take risks, fall in love, challenge yourself, and always be grateful.” I guess one could say that I was a very confident and goal driven freshman student. However, by my second year, the exuding (and sometimes overwhelming) confidence I arrived to UIW with, had slowly withered away from me.
There is more. It is better.
I was a 19-year old student, classified as a junior, only in my third semester, when I experienced what I consider to be as a time of crisis and uncertainty because nobody saw what I am about to tell you coming, because it was an accident. I was required to withdraw from UIW for a semester, following the crushing words I had endured from an orthopedic surgeon.
“You’re done”, he said. “This have seen since the 70s”, he My response? From what I remember, something like this…
“There’s no way I am done doc. am? Do you know how hard you know how difficult it is to be someone, who for their whole life, was their younger brother’s understudy. Now, I not complaining. I adore him. always have, and will continue to, until the day I die. This will break me more than the cuboid bone in my left foot, you’re saying needs to be replaced. have a purpose. Don’t be the person who is going to take away from me.”
There is more. It is better.
Through this extensive recovery time, I was allotted a growth opportunity, in which I discovered my love and appreciation communication, and education. abundance of emails I sent Mrs. Dora Garner, my former eventually a mentor of mine, tested her patience. Bless her had for me, is admirable. She grateful for that. And, Mrs. Garner, reading this, I will keep my promise, in December 2025, with my
There is more. It is better.
Why am I sharing this story as the saying, “When life gives lemonade.” In other words, during uncertainty or unknown, embrace you have probably lived through feeling uncertain of the future the unknown. Embrace it. Accept
There is more. It is better.
“This is the worst injury that I he continued.
remember, I think it went
doc. Do you know who I hard I fought to be here? Do to younger I am him. I continue will cuboid replaced. I the that allotted which appreciation for learning, education. Considering the to administrators such as former academic advisor, and mine, I was one of the many who her heart! The patience she She never gave up, and I am Garner, if and when you’re promise, and I will graduate doctoral degree. with you? It’s as simple gives you lemons, make during seasons of embrace it. Throughout life, through seasons leaving you future and uncomfortable with Accept change.
As a person of faith, with a Catholic upbringing, I believe that God does all things for good, and that all things we experience, have a reason. We may not understand immediately, or ever, but let’s acknowledge that there is a reason for all things. Now, if you are someone who is not a person of faith, who believes in God, or a higher power, than at minimum be bold to believe in yourself. If you believe in yourself, others around you will continue to do so too.
There is more. It is better.
Let’s fast forward to 2016 now. By the grace of God, and the gifts of professionals, who pieced me back together, I returned to UIW. Although I returned to UIW in a fracture boot, pain, and the most unflattering tennis shoes I had ever seen, I was grateful to be back.
Considering my credits were wonky, with me having missed some of those “Spring Only” courses, (we all know how that goes), I was encouraged to enroll in a summer course called, Nonverbal Communication. From enjoying class readings, to devouring the assigned textbook, there is never a day, I look back. As I had an appreciation of and for education, it was this experience that seeded my calling to be an educator.
There is more. It is better.
But see, it was because of my injury that I was allotted that gift. It was a season of uncertainty and unknown that I got to discover my calling and purpose. I was eventually presented with new opportunities such as teaching assistantships, voyages abroad, and journeys with groups and organizations where I have helped capture digital stories.
So, say it with me, now. There is more. It is better.
ARTS & CULTURE
“I AM FROM”
by Paige Heller
Photography
I am from two people who are now friends.
I am from separate holidays and split living.
I am from waves in the ocean, never consistent and always changing.
I am from four different yet connected family trees.
I am from the feeling of uncertainty.
I am from the city where lights always shine.
I am from a small town where the ocean is the alarm clock.
I am from the quiet bubble where the lights are dimmed.
I am from where education and self-discovery go hand in hand.
I am from the feeling of knowing where to plant my feet.
I am from the book that has been open and read.
I am from conversations that paints movies.
I am from investigating words and actions.
I am from weekly sessions where there are two chairs.
I am from the feeling of growth.
I am from music filling the air with singing in the background.
I am from a tear being shed at 3am.
I am from the voice reaching out and being heard.
I am from an invisible string connected to others that radiates warmth.
I am from the feeling of friendship.
I am from the words ‘you got this’.
I am from a cup that is waiting to spill over.
I am from the view of eyes watching over me.
I am from the feeling of support.
I am from long hours.
I am from memories captured. I am from putting ideas into images.
I am from a product of design. I am from the feeling of creativity.
I am from behind the desk. I am from creating the next leaders.
I am from the cup that nurtured me.
I am from a guiding voice.
I am from the feeling of aspiration.
I am from a page in a story that is not yet complete.
I am from a moment of time.
I am from the depths of the sea and the high clouds in the sky.
I am from lessons learned and lessons unknown.
I am from the feeling happy.
J Jillan
Gutierrez
Photography by M. Trujillo
by Blair Villarreal
#UIWCOMM is well-represented when it comes to athletic teams on campus. When it comes to the UIW Softball team, the first name that comes to mind is Jillian Gutierrez. Jillian is a junior, outfielder from Pearland, Texas and she is on the Communication Arts Strategic and Corporate track.
Before college, Jillian played at Shadow Creek High School where she was named Alvin ISD offensive MVP, an all-state selection, three-time all-district performer, and played select softball for the Texas Blaze.
Prior to coming to UIW, Jillian spent her freshman year at SLC foe, Southeastern Louisiana where she began her collegiate career. Fast forward a year later, she then transferred to UIW where she is coming off a stellar sophomore season last spring. She started in 35 out of the 36 games she played, had a .339 batting average, with 41 hits, 31 RBIs, and 23 runs. On the defensive side, you can find her in the outfield where she is one of the stellar standouts recording 39 putouts, four assists, and a .977 fielding percentage.
Tournament championship series this past season, although they didn’t bring home the win, they made history to make it to the conference finals for the first time in program history. In doing so, they beat top seeded McNeese not once, but twice on their path to the finals, which they have not done before. And that magical run was something Jillian cherished forever.
“My favorite moment from last season was our run through the
conference
tournament.
We were the only
people that believed
in ourselves
UIW Softball made it to the SLC
and
the preparation
that we
put
in and seeing our result in the end was worthwhile and we truly made history on team 37.”
The UIW Communication Arts department has always been supportive of student-athletes in all aspects. And Jillian has gotten lots of support from family, friends, students, faculty, and staff at home games. Jillian enjoys
connecting with other comm arts students in and outside of the classroom.
“The communication arts department at UIW is so unique because of the deep connections you build with people every day. For a majority of our classes, we are encouraged to interact with one another and know each other on a personal level, which allows us to hang out outside of school and even support each other across social media.”
Like all students, everyone has their own story to how they got to UIW. Jillian’s story is unique because it is special to her, and being an athlete, it shows that she was guided here for a good reason. “I chose UIW because it’s close to home and my coaches were willing to take a chance on me. I loved the campus and the people instantly so I knew it was an immediate connection from the start.”
If you have never been to a UIW softball game, you can catch them at HEB field for the 2025 season where they look to build upon their magical season last year. And it will give you the chance to cheer on our very own Jillian Gutierrez!
Photography by M Jurenovich
Lifestyle. What is your lifestyle? How might someone describe your lifestyle when meeting you, interacting with you, growing closer to you? How is your lifestyle similar or different from others you know? A bit further, what do you believe ought to be the markers and indicators of your and my lifestyle?
For all my life, I have been surrounded by messages that lifestyle is associated with what we possess and what we consume. Maybe you have noticed this too. When I was young, there was even a popular show called, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Each episode of the show was premised on the notion that the ultrarich have glamorous lifestyles that the public can hardly imagine, provided rare glimpses of unimaginable excesses like gold-plated bathroom fixtures, and concluded with the host Robin Leach saying, “champagne wishes and caviar dreams.”
Society it seems has always taken great interest in the “lifestyles” of the rich and famous. Whether it was newspapers covering the fantastic parties thrown during the days of the Vanderbilts and the Astors, the Lifestyles show in the 1980’s, or the modern social media on your phone. The biggest shift now is that everyone with a device can post lifestyle content. Notably, celebrities can go direct to the public with their food selfies, travel videos, and other forms of conspicuous consumption. While such media can be entertaining and even silly to watch, it is also riddled with many problems. Quite literally, lifestyle means the way a person lives. And of course, part of how
a person lives includes things that will be purchased and consumed. But lifestyle is much more than what people can afford to consume.
Problem two: turns out that many people are addicted to social media and invest precious hours of their lives each day consuming content about other people consuming stuff. Given that the real meaning of lifestyle is the way a person lives, consider the ironic and sad loop: many people’s way of living is to spend their time consuming media about other people consuming stuff.
With one life to live, we certainly don’t want to make our lifestyle (way of living) centered around consuming content focused on other people consuming stuff. Who would want to dedicate their lifestyle to watching other people miss the meaning of lifestyle?
So, then, how does one enrich their lifestyle?
Rather than a lifestyle focused on consuming, let us consider a lifestyle centered around creating.
Problem one: popular media frequently and falsely reduces the concept of lifestyle to mean little more than the things people possess and consume. The mansions, cars, yachts, and jets. The fancy clothes, jewelry, food, vacations, and so on. Being inundated with media that constantly feeds us messages about lifestyle purely focused on consumption, viewers (especially young viewers) may be subject to learning and believing a faulty definition and understanding of the term lifestyle.
what’s our community up
Take a look at our Culture Calendar for all of our October Events
ONCE A Cardinal
I hope you have all enjoyed this special “RED OUT” edition of RED. Our team has been working very hard to create a magazine worthy of its readers, so thank you all for supporting us in that. In my last words to you all for this issue, I cannot help but ruminate on the words “school spirit.” Since we could walk, we have been surrounded by this notion of “rep your school colors.” Whether it be your older sibling setting the example, your parents wearing their game day jerseys on a Saturday afternoon or rushing the field at the kickoff game as a freshman in college, we have all experienced the emotional highs of school spirit. It’s an idea that a group of people who spend 8 or more hours a day in the same building should come together, amidst any differences, and agree on the fact that they are proud to be a member of their school. That is the environment that we have created as proud Cardinals at the University of the Incarnate Word. We recognize the privilege of what it means to attend a school that values familial closeness and striving to receive the best education you can as an emerging young adult. We recognize that wearing the color red is a pledge to represent this university with pride, Cardinal pride. So in reading this, I hope you all will be encouraged and will continue in your school spirit even after your college journey is over. Because once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal.
- Mack
