Trey Guinn, Faculty Contributor
THE STAFF
Editor & Social Media LiaisonMackenzie Conant
Section Contributer/WriterNatalia Valenzuela
Assistant EditorPaige Heller
Section
Contributer/WriterAudrey Patton
Layout DesignerKlarysa Saldana
Section Contributer/WriterBlair Villarreal
Section (Alumni) Contributor/WriterAaron Rios
PhotographerMatthew Jurenovich
Section Contributer/WriterDanna Ramos
PhotographerMarco Trujillo
Contributing Writers | Victoria Gonzalez, Dr. Trey Guinn, Maddie Plata
Susanna Alford, MA, Faculty Advisor
Dr.
by Assistant Editor Paige Heller
EDITOR’S NOTE
Welcome back to RED for our special homecoming edition. This release focuses on the homecoming events at school, the feeling of school pride, and gaining that home feeling from choosing the right school. Homecoming is a special time for so many different reasons and that’s why we chose to highlight it during this release.
I can full heartedly say that I consider UIW as my home and that it brings me the same home comfort that I feel when I am with family. Many students could say that they feel opposite of that due to hard times or drama that may have occurred, and I would also agree to that in the sense of having a rough start at UIW. In the beginning of my college journey, I was supposed to go to Texas A&M where I had already signed a lease to an apartment with a group of friends. It wasn’t until my lease wasn’t processed correctly and my parents finally convincing me after months that I chose to go to UIW. Once I got to UIW, I had struggled during my first semester due to different obstacles that were thrown my way. It was at this point that I had decided to transfer and started filling out applications but quickly changed once I got into my sorority, met more people, and got more involved on campus.
Once I got out there and started to build connections and memories, it was then that I had felt like UIW was my second home. Once this semester came, it had stopped being a feeling of home rather becoming my home due to all the amazing friends I have gotten closer to in the comm department. I know that no matter what happens in life or where we all end up, this home will forever remain, and I can always look back to in time of comfort. Not only have the people at UIW and the school itself give me a home, but core memories, growth, happiness, and most importantly, family.
As I am currently wrapping up my undergrad program and beginning my graduate one, I am so thankful that I was blessed with UIW and the people it has brought into my life. I would not be the person I am today without this place. With that being said, I hope that UIW can bring you a sense of home and that this is more than just a school for you. Homecoming is a special time for many reasons such as school pride, feeling of being home, alumni and students mixing, and bringing to light how special UIW is.
Thank you for continuing to support RED and I hope you enjoy this special homecoming edition!
WORD UP
UIWTv, UIW’s Emmy award winning television station, has been one of the Communication Arts’ department’s highlights for years and it only keeps growing.
The T.V. station produces five live broadcasts each semester and aims to inform the Incarnate Word community of news, entertainment, and sports, as well as curating specialty segments about the university. Operations Manager, Alejandra Ortiz, has been part of the team that continues to enhance the program.
“I actually started getting involved with UIWTV as a Freshman back in Fall of 2022... I learned to do teleprompter and floor manage, and it made me feel like I was making an impact on the COMM community and those around me,” says Ortiz.
She emphasizes that UIWTv has made it a mission to reach far beyond just UIW students, as they have found the importance of highlighting news around the San Antonio community. This has a great significance to Alejandra as she states she “love(s) the human aspect of being able to tell someone’s story and how they are making an impact on the community. It’s a learning experience and many times, a way to give back and bring people together.”
UIW
UIWTv does serve as a platform for students to develop their broadcasting skills, both on and off camera. Volunteers learn how to work with professional equipment, obtain ad-libbing skills, and get the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment that is quite similar to a bigger television studio.
Alejandra also mentions the professional and the personal benefits of being part of UIWTv, such as leadership, resilience, and determination.
Even though UIWTv has not had the help of a T.V. Practicum class this semester, officers, anchors, and volunteers have helped push through by creating packages and sharing enticing stories. With the help of Professor Theresa Coronado and Comm Arts technician Bob Flores, UIWTv has an upcoming Election Day special on November 5th and an additional newscast on November 21st at 12:30 p.m.
To watch upcoming live newscasts, make sure to subscribe to UIWTv on YouTube. If you want more information on how to volunteer with UIWTv, make sure to email Alejandra Ortiz at aeortiz@student.uiwtx.edu. by Danna Ramos
TV comm unity
OUR
WHAT Trunk or Treat Advising day
Homecoming
MISS OUT DOn’t
Photography by M Trujillo
KUIW & FILM
CLUB EZ’S
FUNDRASIER
NOV 9th | 2PM | Benson statium
Join UIW alumni and friends at our last RedZone Tailgate of the season as our Cardinal Football team takes on Lamar University at Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium.
RUN CLUB
NOV 12th | 5PM - 9PM | EZ’S Brick Oven
Come support KUIW and FIlm Club at EZ’s Brick Over at their N. New Braunfels location! Make sure to the Promo Code UIW2024 at checkout!
NOV 19th | 7pm | Olmos Basin Soccer Fields
Come hang out with #UIWCOMM Run Club for a night at Olmos Basin! As always there will be a running group, volleyball, spikeball, and more. Invite your friends & we’ll see you there!
P I N I O N
I E C E S
Let go and trust the process by Maddie Plata
During my time in college, I was able to balance being a full-time student athlete while having a part time job. I was on the UIW dance team for five seasons and was named captain for three of those seasons. Addition to that, I was a supervisor at Six Flags and worked about12 to16-hour shifts on the weekends. I started in Graphic Design my first two and a half years and thought I was going to go into branding and packing once I graduated. I loved designing and expressing my creative self, however, design wasn’t my only interest. When you’re someone like me, your creative box overflows and taps into other things. During my 2021-2022 academic year I started to struggle in every aspect of my life. It was my first year as captain, work was overloading, school was getting harder, and my personal life wasn’t the greatest. I was failing in everything and had setbacks in my life. I had always battled with anxiety and depression but this year my lows even had lows. I was lost in what I was supposed to do and what I wanted. All motivation was nonexistent, and nothing seemed to be working at the time. I ended up deciding that design wasn’t for me and switched my major. I had looked into communication arts, and they had just created a film program that I drew interest in. I dabbled in editing videos in high school for fun but never thought much of it. I still was struggling mentally and was unsure about the change, but everything seemed to fall into place.At this point in my life, I really turned to God and prayed for guidance and reassurance.
If it leads to confirmation, it’s from God, if it leads to confusion, it’s not. I surrender anything that was hindering my growth and that wasn’t from him. I wanted to stop feeling like a let down to my team and a failure to myself. I told him that I didn’t want to suffer anymore and that I needed him. I wanted to change for the better and in all honesty I was desperate. I put off the idea of going to therapy because I have a bad habit of not asking for help. I was running out of options and my mental health was getting worse, so I tried therapy through school. The first few sessions I didn’t see much of a change but with months in I saw growth in myself. After my first semester in my new degree plan, I made the dean’s list. Within 6 months of therapy, it was ironically good to hear that my therapist said I didn’t need her anymore. I was getting the hang of my first year as captain and my personal life started to get a little easier. Yes, I have my bad days here and there but that’s all they are. Those bad days don’t have control over me anymore. Anxiety and depression don’thave control over me. My failures don’t have control over me. I went into college expecting to learn from books and to get a job. As I close out this chapter within this next month, I’m glad I had unintentional teachings as well. If you’re in your rough patch right now, it gets better if you allow it to get better. It’s okay to not know what you’re doing and where you’re going. Trust the process and have faith that God has your back. It will all work itself out. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
Maddiee
Photography by
P I N I O N I E C E S
Who Has The Best Coffee?
Anyone that knows me knows that I am a coffee fanatic, especially iced coffee. I have always enjoyed sipping iced coffee any time of any day. Lately, I have been on a mission to find the best coffee San Antonio has to offer and I am going to give you a ranking of some of my top five favorite spots to grab a cup of coffee (this is a mix between chain and local spots) :
Dutch Bros Coffee
Yes, I did choose a chain as my top choice, and it simply is my go-to spot for coffee! They offer a wide variety of coffees, rebels- which is their energy drinks, teas, and more as well as a plethora of flavors to choose from. They have several locations around San Antonio and two of them are only 10 minutes away from UIW. Dutch Bros offers their staples such as the golden eagle (vanilla and caramel breve) and the cocomo (chocolate and coconut). But their fall drinks are where it’s at during the fall months. This year, they brought back a favorite of mine, the caramel pumpkin brulee breve. In addition, they introduced a new drink that has quickly become a favorite of mine, the cookie butter latte and I 10 out of 10 recommend! I get it as a breve, and I ask for it extra sweet, so delicious and perfect for a fall day.
Merit Coffee
Now here is where I start to get local. This is an Alamo Heights staple on Broadway, right across the street from Bird Bakery, and they are known for all of the classic coffee shop staples like your lattes, cold brew, or just simple in-house coffee. They even sell their coffee beans in bags so you can brew their coffee right from your own kitchen, you can even ask them to grind the beans for you. There are a few locations in San Antonio, including a shop in the San Antonio Airport! I’m an iced vanilla latte person and Merit’s always hit the spot every time I go.
Creme Coffee
Creme is a newer spot in San Antonio that is located on Ashby, 2 minutes from the Pearl and right next door to Tin Top Flats at the Creamery Apartment Complex. If you enjoy being transported to a new place, then Creme is the place to go. It is inspired by the cafes in Europe and their coffee can’t be beaten. I’ve taken some friends there multiple times and it has always been a positive experience every time. When I tried their vanilla latte the first time I tried Creme, I could tell the taste and flavor was sophisticated and even though I have never been to Europe, it transported me there and you taste the vanilla flavor but are also met with a good espresso flavor as well. If you are looking for a unique spot to get some homework done, Creme is absolutely a spot to be productive.
Aftersome Coffee
Summer Moon Coffee
This is an Austin based shop/chain but, there are a couple of shops in town. Summer Moon is known for wood-fired roasted coffee and their moon milk, which is their sweet cream, and it tastes like melted vanilla ice cream (in the way the barista described it to me). It is sophisticated for those who enjoy their coffee sweet (like me). One of their most popular iced drinks is their Winter Moon, which is kind of a spin on a latte but instead of traditional milk, they use their Moon Milk, and it gives the drink a little bit of extra sweetness and I highly recommend it. It gives a cozy vibe whenever you walk in and it feels like you stepped into someone’s home and you want to stay for a bit and chat, study, or just to sit down and sip your coffee. It is definitely a spot to check out and they have a location about 5 minutes from campus on the corner of St. Mary’s and down the street from Hildebrand neighbor, Trinity University.
This spot is actually a coffee trailer that although its normal spot is about 15 minutes from campus, it serves some of the best and most unique coffee in town. They are run by two sisters and their spot is located just off of Wurzbach Parkway and on Jones Maltsberger Rd. They serve up your classics such as brewed coffee, lattes, matcha, teas, and chai. But they do have a section of the menu that serves up their signature lattes which some contain some unique flavors such as pistachio, lavender, and peanut butter just to name a few, or you can order a baristas choice, and they will surprise you if you can’t make up your mind. Another cool thing about Aftersome is that they can make your cold foam flavored with any of their listed flavors, my personal favorite is an iced vanilla latte with shortbread flavored cold foam. It gives you a sugar cookie vibe. And you can ask them to come to a private event such as parties, weddings, etc. If you are adventurous with your coffee or want to try something new, Aftersome Coffee is the spot to check out! Be sure to follow them on Instagram @ aftersomecoffee.satx to look at their weekly schedule and seasonal specials.
Well, there’s my top 5 spots for a delicious cup of coffee! As always, I am trying to find new spot around town and looking for San Antonio’s best coffee spot. And I hope you enjoy these spots just as much as I do.
Coffee with COMM by Victoria Gonzalez
Graduating from Texas A&M University, when I arrived at UIW I acknowledged that graduate school was not going to be the same. As a recent college graduate, new to the city of San Antonio and new university, I recognized there were many challenges I was about face. Considering we were in the midst of COVID, finding a sense of belonging was not going to be as simple as it was when I initially started college.
Like many of you, my experience was similar to transfer students. Wearing masks, rapid COVID-19 tests, and logging exposure interactions was not the experience I had dreamed up. Fortunately, I was hired as a Graduate Assistant with the Office of Campus Engagement, stumbled upon new friends, made meaningful connections, and enhanced those friendships I had prior to moving to this city. However, it’s imperative to recognize this is not the same experience all new students face. So, if your journey is like mine, or perhaps the very opposite, as we close out the semester, consider these three tips and tricks I considered when looking for a community.
Immerse yourself.
Immersing yourself in something new can be a little scary, but it is something we all must do at some point. Learn a new skill, find a new hobby, there are so many things that one can find the simplest of pleasures in. When doing something like this, even if it requires you to step outside of your comfort zone, you can find a sense of peace and belonging with those who are also trying something new for the first time.
Change is inevitable but it is always good.
Change is inevitable, but change is always good. As you near the end of the Fall semester and for those of you who are graduating, there is most definitely a mix of emotions as you near the end of an incredible and defining chapter in your lives. Life is full of many obstacles, but within those obstacles come several opportunities. These changes that take place, such as moving to a new city, starting a new job, making new friends, will open so many doors that you never thought would be possible. Never did I imagine myself starting graduate school in a new city, making new friends, starting a new job and now working full time within a higher education institution. These were things that my 18-year-old self never thought I would do, but I found my passion for what I do now and that all happened with change. Change did good for me and I know it will be good for you.
Be present.
With you closing a chapter, whether it be a fresh start to the new year or graduating from the university, remember to always be present. A quote I remember and would like for you to think about is a quote from the film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” In today’s world, we are all consumed by technology and social media. It is refreshing to put your phone down for a while, not compare yourself to others, and just be present in the moment you are in. Spend it doing what you love, get involved, surround yourself with good company, and soak it all in. You are meant to be where you are in this very moment and in a couple of years, you will look back on your time here at UIW and smile knowing you were present for it all. Enjoy it!
With these three little takeaways, always remember you are capable of doing what you are doing now and more. Be kind to others but be kind to yourself and push yourself to be the best version of you. Remember to immerse yourself, change is good, and always be present.
Have fun and enjoy the rest of your semester! And to those of you who are graduating, congratulations!
I am from a family of 4
They taught me how to love and cherish every moment
They taught me to shoot for the stars and never give up
Arts & Culture
November 20
“Everything happens for a reason” I am from the last birthday out of my family in the year
When the air is crisp and there’s a holiday buzz going around
I am from Mexican roots
From always visiting Mexico
Visiting the rancho and playing with all my cousins in the dirt
I am from Murnin, Pease, and Jay Public schools that are considered to be ghetto, yet gave me the best experiences
From being nervous to go to Marbach for school, but meeting the humblest people there I am from a shy and anxious conscience
Loud thoughts that I fight to keep quiet so I can see the good things in life
Teaching myself to never hold grudges and to never burn my bridges I am from trying to hold on to the past but learning to let go
Childhood left faster than I could control
From once dreaming of finally turning 15, to 18, to now 20
What’s next?
I am from growth
From letting go and losing a lot, but always seeing the glass half full
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”
I am from a fresh young adult trying to navigate
her new world
From barely starting college, to knowing everyone there.
From being lonely my first year, to having an abundance of great people I get to call my friends
I am from huge hopes and dreams
Every night fantasizing about where I’ll be in my 20s
I am from pop culture
Manifesting that everything comes true
An important aspect in my life that brought me to comm arts
Loving celebrities has its perks I am from finding comfort in the quietness of libraries
From Harry Potter and Edgar Allen Poe Books always allowed my mind to be free and get creative
They protect me from the outside world
I am from curiosity and excitement.
Always down to make memories
Always down to do it for the plot
I am from Texas with hopes of moving further I am from a little girl with big dreams
Without her imagination
I’d be nowhere
I’d do anything for that little girl and I’m going to make her proud I’m going to give her the world and everything she’s ever dreamed of I am from Ixchel Villarreal
A sister, daughter, friend, cousin, and student
A strong scorpio who’s not afraid to speak her mind
She’s only scratched the surface of her full potential
Little does she know what’s yet to come
Culture
An “I am From” poem by Ixchel Villarreal
Photography by
M Jurenovich
Photography by M Trujillo
Les
Keeping an active lifestyle and finding new things to do in San Antonio has been extremely important to Jules. In particular, she emphasized how she is a people person and how she enjoys taking part in activities as she said, “I love working out, being with family, trying new foods, going to farmers markets, shopping and being around people.”It’s natural to want to call friends and family back home and want to go back, but being able to find distractions and getting involved in what the university has to offer is such a great way to forget your homesickness. Soccer, friends and social events at UIW help keep my mind off of being far away from home. Jules is extremely close with all of her family but the person that she has missed the most has been her younger sister. Back home, they went to high school together, played soccer together, did extracurricular activities together, and of course lived together. Jules said, “She’s like a mini me so leaving her for college was hard. But I make sure to text her every day and keep her updated on the little details of my life here at UIW. It’s the little things like sending tik toks, being on FaceTime and staying connected helps keep us close and not drift apart.”When looking at her future at UIW, Jules talks about how she would love to be able to be SLC Champions for women’s soccer. That is a goal her team is currently trying to accomplish now, and she hopes to experience this at some point in college career. She also aspires to be a part of more organizations, clubs and community service events once spring rolls around. Jules is a hardworking student-athlete that wants to continue to excel and grow both academically and athletically. She is looking forward to meeting more people, getting more involved, and making a positive impact in everything I participate in here.
lifestyle Section
The ease
&
enjoyment of a capsule wardrobe
by Mackenzie Conant
Iam not typically one for bold statements, but in this regard, I will speak loud and clear: everyone should invest in a capsule wardrobe. Since I was a kid, I have had a deep love for style and fashion. It was, and is, a way of expressing my creativity. I use a different part of my brain for academia than I do when styling an outfit for school or work. It’s an art, a slowly manicured process that I have built over time to fit my personal brand. And the way I did this was in creating my own capsule wardrobe.
Now some might roll their eyes and groan at the idea of downsizing their closet, or conforming to the idea of only 4-5 colors, but I would argue it will change their lives for the better. The key to any good capsule wardrobe is 16 items, split into 4 groups: shoes, tops, bottoms, and outerwear. You get 4 pieces in each category that are neutral enough to be mixed and matched with ease. When I say this, I am talking in terms of a neutral color palette, i.e. blacks, whites, browns, maroon, navy, and grey. An occasional green is allowed as well if you feel that fits your vibe better. The tops can vary from sweaters to boxy tees, and the bottoms from your favorite pair of jeans to those grey sweat shorts you know and love. Shoes are no different: a pair of OG Adidas Sambas, or some black sandals will do just fine when creating your outfits. Let’s not forget outerwear which can span from a wellloved jean jacket to an oversized blazer.
These pieces, as I mentioned before, will be easy enough to grab to create simple yet timeless outfits that require no thought or stress. For example, the women might grab their white tank, the blazer, a pair of baggy Levi’s and those Sambas, and they have created an effortless look that took less than 5 minutes to make. If you’re a man, then
you might pick those grey sweat shorts, a boxy black tee, and your white On Cloud’s. In other words, a simple outfit that could be topped off with their favorite worn-in baseball hat. The point of the capsule wardrobe is to enhance your quality of style by limiting your choice of pieces. In doing this, you pay no unrequited attention towards the “louder” pieces that scream at you to be worn, and instead choose the quiet, uncomplicated clothes who ask for nothing in return.
Now for my final piece of wisdom, and arguably the most important: accessories work wonders. For the girls, some gold
hoops or a stack of necklaces will do the trick. For the guys, some aviator sunglasses or a silver watch can add that final touch you didn’t know you needed. Anything you would qualify as the “safe” choice will be the right answer. All in all, an outfit is whatever you make of it and speaks volumes to your audience about the way you carry yourself. So, I plead with you to save yourself time and money by investing in a capsule wardrobe. I promise you will not regret it.
what’s our community
Take a look at our Culture Calendar for all of our November Events
Return to the Nest
Tacos, tailgates, trunk-or-treat, Texas weather, and–most of all–time with people you love on a campus that feels like home. That’s just the tip of UIW Homecoming.
For many, Homecoming may feel a bit like gathering with your relatives on Thanksgiving. A little loud, somewhat crowded, and way too much food. More importantly, the comforts of familiar faces and places, the nostalgia and wistful affection for the past, new memories made, and, as the time slips by too quickly, the hope of doing it again next year.
The critical difference is that while we don’t normally choose our families and can be arm-twisted into a family meal, the community you build at college much like the decision to return for homecoming is a choice, one that alumni all over the country gladly choose year after year.
UIW is not alone in beckoning alumni to come home. There are thousands of collegiate homecoming events, not to mention the many High School homecomings, each year. The history of homecoming is deeply rooted in American collegiate traditions and can be traced back over a century. While the exact origins of homecoming are debated, its growth into a widespread and cherished tradition reflects the importance of school pride and community through football games, parades, and other social gatherings.
At UIW, homecoming is primarily hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations. Year round, they host opportunities for UIW’s alumni and friends to connect, engage and have fun. Most will agree, homecoming is next level fun. It is a week-long tradition boasting off-campus and on-campus events for all. This year, festivities begin with a halloween-esque Trunk or Treat event on Sunday, October 27th and conclude with a Homecoming Mass and reunion brunch on Sunday, November 3rd. While more familiar traditions include the Homecoming Tailgate and football game held on Saturday, two of my
by Trey Guinn
faves happen to be newer traditions – Taste of the Pearl on Friday night (Nov. 1st) and the Breakfast Taco 5k Fun Run on Sunday morning (Nov 3rd).
While Homecoming boasts a number of sweet events and savory foods, the best part of homecoming is not about what you do or eat, or even whether we win the football game. The most joyful parts of homecoming will always and forever be the time spent gathering with some of your favorite people at one of your favorite places. People participate in homecoming for many of the reasons they chose UIW in the first place. Many of you came to UIW because you knew at our campus you would be a name, not a number. You wanted to be part of a community where you could develop meaningful relationships with your faculty. You wanted to be part of a campus where faces became familiar and friendships flourished.
So, come home. Return to the nest for a few days of fun and fellowship with faculty and friends who feel like family.