09-26-2023

TUESDAY September 26, 2023 VOLUME 113 ISSUE 8 www.UniversityStar.com

SMPD investigating at least two unauthorized entries at off-campus complex

By Nichaela Shaheen and Carson Weaver Managing Editor and Editor-in-Chief

Jen awoke at 5:30 a.m. on Sept. 17 to a man standing in the bedroom of her San Marcos townhome.

Jen soon realized the man was an intruder.

The University Star used nicknames and first names for multiple sources in this story to protect the residents at The Village on Telluride.

The San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) is investigating at least two cases of unauthorized entry into women’s townhomes at The Village on Telluride.

Both women awoke to an unknown man in their bedrooms.

“I just see the silhouette of a male figure who opened my door… I’m still half asleep,” Jen said. “I turn on my phone flashlight… I see the back of his head …

And he just ran out of my room.”

The suspect, or suspects, stole two items from Jen’s townhome and was inside her apartment from 5:30 a.m. to 5:49 a.m. The suspect, or suspects, entered into another townhome at 6:00 a.m that same morning, according to the

SMPD report.

SMPD is working to see if the two cases are connected.

Jen, whose townhome was broken into Sunday morning, has been staying 30 minutes away from San Marcos since Monday to feel safe. “[Early Monday] I was up until like 3, 4 in the morning… I fell asleep a little bit then I wake up,” Jen said. “I’ve been staying at [someone else’s] house… we’re

“

all just kind of on edge now.”

The detective assigned to the case declined to comment on the open investigation.

An email the community manager of the complex sent Sept. 18 notified residents that security would be patrolling the complex in the early morning hours on certain days of the week.

SEE CRIME PAGE 3

I just see the silhouette of a male figure who opened my door… I’m still half asleep...

I turn on my phone flashlight… I see the back of his head … And he just ran out of my room.

- Jen, a victim of burglary, said.

Mermaids dive into Mermaid Society’s annual festival

By Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor Shiny scales and mermaid tails filled the streets of downtown San Marcos to celebrate the seventh annual Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest on Saturday.

The Mermaid Society of Texas has held the Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest since 2016. July Moreno, the founder of Mermaid Society of Texas, started the festival with the intention to bring awareness to local waterways.

“The river is a big part to many of us in our quality of life,” Moreno said. “It just seemed obvious that we needed to start paying attention to the ways that we can help protect it, and the mermaid is the symbol for that.”

Misty Green, a local San Marcos resident, has lived in San Marcos for 10 years. She came to the first Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest in 2016 as a “walk-around mermaid” and has kept her role ever since.

For seven years, Green could be found walking around downtown San Marcos with a vibrant wig and a sequined tail during the festival.

PHOTO BY MEG BOLES

Austin Samba dancer preforms in the mermaid promenade Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in San Marcos.

SEE COMMUNITY PAGE 5

”

Faith, leadership, and football for Ben Bell

By James Horton Sports Contributor Junior defensive end Ben Bell returns to the Bobcats for a second year after an offseason full of change.

Last season, when he played as a linebacker, Bell had an instantly recognizable look about him. His long, red hair stuck out of his helmet far enough to cover the name on the back of his jersey. But, at the start of 2023 fall camp, Bell showed up thirty pounds heavier with a shaved head.

Bell is one of just a handful of players to return to Texas State after a disappointing 2022-23 campaign that led to a complete overhaul of the coaching staff and roster. According to senior defensive end Sam Latham, even the newcomers were sad to see his hair go.

“I’ve got long hair,” Latham said. “So, it was sad seeing my brother leave his long hair. But he’s got his reasons. So, I’m going to stick behind him no matter what.”

Triple-digit summer heat is not what prompted the new look for Bell. Instead, it serves as a daily reminder of what is truly important to him — his faith. As a child, football was second to only one thing in the Bell household.

“I grew up with two very strong Christian parents,” Bell said.

“So, my faith has always been strong.”

The pressure of being a Division I college athlete can be intense. For some, the grueling four-month seasons can wear on them. Bell said his 2022-23 season was no different.

SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 10

Martian Arts Fest celebrates all things San Marcos art and music

By AnaBelle Elliott Life and Arts Reporter Printed fabrics and disco balls strung across vendor’s booths, live painters painted colorful layers of neon paint onto canvases and local bands and musicians played at the seventh annual Martian Arts Festival this weekend.

The Martian Arts Fest is an annual arts festival hosted

by Apogee Presents with about 40 bands performing across two stages on Sept. 21-23. This year’s festival included silent discos, art installations, live painters, vendors, workshops and camping hosted at Southern Star Farms, a 3,000-plus-square-foot space in San

Marcos that hosts events.

“The reason why we call it Martian Arts Festival is that we want to highlight the arts aspect of our community,” Michael Howard, the founder of Martian Arts Fest and Texas State alumnus, said. “I never wanted to just be big about only the music. I try to incorporate all facets of art, whether it be vendors, craftsmen, live painters, glass blowers, everything like that.”

Howard hosted the first Martian Arts Fest in a local backyard in 2016. The festival predates Apogee presents, an event organizer group led by Howard.

SEE CREATIVITY PAGE 5

PHOTO BY ANABELLE ELLIOTT

Texas State alumnus Jose Estrada creating a new ceramics piece on the pottery wheel, Saturday, Sept.

23, 2023 at the Martian Arts Fest in Maxwell, Texas.

The University Star

2 | Tuesday, September 26, 2023

NEWS

Blake Leschber News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

New COVID-19 vaccine reaches pharmacies

By Candace Taggart News Contributor

PHOTO BY MEG BOLES

Student Leader for Texas Rising at TXST Adriana Montoya and Deputized Voter Registrar for Hays County Diann McCabe help students register to vote, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, at HSI community day hosted in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom.

Voter registration efforts ramp up before elections

By Ryan Claycamp News Reporter As the Oct. 10 deadline for voter registration approaches, local organizations are increasing ongoing efforts to increase voter registration.

Organizations across Hays County, such as the non-partisan group, League of Women Voters (LVW) of Hays County, have geared voting registration efforts toward students.

While voters are typically required to register to vote in the county they live in, students who live in residence halls can choose to register either at their permanent home address or their residence hall address.

“Voting is powerful. That’s why we only get to do it once. You can’t vote inperson in San Marcos and vote by mail in your hometown, for example. Or vote for president in one city, then vote for mayor in another city during the same election,” the Texas State Student Government said on their webpage on voting.

According to the Texas Secretary of State, voter turnout for individuals aged 18-24 for the 2022 midterm election was 45.85%, showing a pattern of low voter turnout in years like this year, where there are no federal elections. The LVW of Hays County hopes to change that by encouraging more students to register to vote and offering voter education resources.

“What makes [registering to vote] so important is that it’s the foundation

of our democracy. When I was [college] aged we were very active in what was going on and I hope that young people take an interest in how our elections work,” Diann McCabe, a deputized voter registrar and member of the LVW of Hays County, said.

On Sept. 17, National Voter Registration Day, many students registered to vote at booths across campus.

“Being a college student, there’s not much systematic change I can do besides vote. [Voting] lets me be educated and put my best foot forward and know who is representing me,” Chase Riley, a criminal justice junior, said.

McCabe believes that young people should register to vote because it’s a right that she didn’t have when she was the same age.

“When I was 18 you couldn’t vote, you had to be 21. You could be drafted to Vietnam if you were a man, so it’s one of the things I think is taken for granted,” McCabe said.

The LVW of Hays County will continue holding events to register students and residents of Hays County until the Oct. 10 deadline to register.

“We are at the farmers market there in San Marcos [almost] every weekend…” Sharon Moore, the chair of the Voter Services Team for the LVW of Hays County, said.

A new COVID-19 vaccine became available in response to the omicron variant XBB.1.5. on Sept. 13.

This new vaccine is approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC currently recommends that everyone six months and older get the updated vaccine for this fall and winter.

The Student Health Center (SHC) does not have this new vaccine, but has applied to be a provider for it.

According to Dr. Emilio Carranco, director of the Student Health Center and assistant vice president for student affairs, the SHC’s intention is to have the new vaccine available as soon as possible.

“We're hoping that we'll get it within the next week or two,” Carranco said. “If you want to have a vaccination at the health center, you can go online and schedule an appointment for a vaccination, or you can call the main number regardless of which student health center facility you want to use.”

Rodney Rohde, professor and chair of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program, said he believes getting this new vaccine could help reduce the amount of COVID-19 cases on campus.

“Current research and epidemiology of cases show this updated vaccine is effective against the variants currently causing the majority of COVID cases in the U.S.,” Rohde said. “Viruses mutate, while none of the variants circulating right now are exact matches to the vaccine, they’re all closely related to the XBB.1.5 strain it’s based on.”

In the past, some COVID-19 vaccines were provided for free, but Carranco said the newest vaccine is expensive, estimating that it will be

INFOGRAPHIC BY HAYDEN AVERY-MILLER

Publication Info

Editorial Staff

History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and once a month in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 3,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Scan the QR code to continue reading.

More information on how to register to vote can be found at Votetexas.gov

INFOGRAPHIC BY ITZIE PULIDO

Trinity Building 203 Pleasant St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245 - 3487

“well over” $100 a dose.

“We don't even know how much it's going to cost [the SHC] yet, but we're ready for it,” Carranco said.

“Because it has been approved by the FDA and the CDC, we expect that most private health insurance plans will cover the cost of the new vaccine.”

For those who are uninsured or can not afford the new vaccine, Carranco suggests the Bridge Access Program that provides vaccines for free through certain pharmacies and federally qualified community and health centers.

The newest COVID-19 vaccine is referred to as an updated vaccine instead of a booster. According to Rohde, this is because The CDC, FDA and public healthcare leaders are trying to make the public understand that COVID-19 vaccine should start being treated like the annual flu vaccine.

“We encourage people to get their ‘annual flu shot’ not a ‘flu booster,’” Rohde said. “The use of this language tries to show that it means we’re not just boosting existing immunity from previous vaccination, but building a new immune response to variants that are currently circulating.”

Editor-in-Chief:

Managing Editor:

Design Editor:

Carson Weaver stareditor@txstate.edu

Nichaela Shaheen starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu

Sarah Manning stardesign@txstate.edu

News Editor:

Life & Arts Editor:

Opinions Editor:

Blake Leschber starnews@txstate.edu

Haley Velasco starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

Rhian Davis staropinion@txstate.edu

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Director:

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Laura Krantz laurakrantz@txstate.edu

David Cuevas starsports@txstate.edu

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Digital Products Developer

Creative Service Director:

Sri Naga Sri Govvala starasstweb@txstate.edu

Michele Dupont starcreative@txstate.edu

Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, September 26, 2023. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor-in-chief.

Deadlines:

Letters to the Editor or any contributed articles are due on Monday the week prior to publication.

Corrections:

Any errors that are in the pages of The University Star and brought to our attention will be corrected as soon as possible.

Visit The Star at universitystar.com

The University Star

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 | 3

NEW S

Blake Leschber News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT CRIME

INFOGRAPHIC BY LUCCIANA CHOUEIRY

TXST, San Marcos reflect on Suicide Awareness Month

By Lucciana Choueiry News Reporter This article contains discussions of suicide and death.

The Hays County Commissioners officially declared September as National Suicide Awareness Month on Sept. 5.

National Suicide Awareness Month seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and promote understanding and support for individuals who may be struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

“This is a real-life issue that affects us all… at every level. We have many people that need mental health support nationwide and so this awareness to help people,” Judge Ruben Becerra said during the court’s session.

In 2022, Texas witnessed the second-largest surge in the suicide mortality rate, which escalated by 56.9%, among individuals aged 20-24.

“This lets us know that students need to be aware of resources right when they get to college…,” Terence Parker, associate dean of students, said.

“I really do think that [awareness] also needs to start in K through 12. If it’s not started then, it’s sometimes too late to wait till [the issue] gets here.”

These events aim to encourage compassion and foster dialogue by promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

“We encourage all residents to take time to understand mental health through education by actively participating in Mental Health First Aid Training, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Suicide Prevention Training, Youth Awareness of Mental Health Training and other opportunities to increase education and awareness in Hays County,” the court proclamation said.

Parker said National Suicide Awareness Month serves as a reminder that individuals are not alone in their struggles.

“Advocacy is about helping students become their own self-advocate,” Parker said. “In certain cultures you can’t ask for help. You figure it out even though you may be suffering mentally. We teach students how to find resources so the next time they can do it on their own.”

Shelby Galbraith, a psychology junior, said she struggled grappling with emotions during her formative years. She said she often felt isolated, but ultimately discovered comfort in the realization that seeking help is acceptable.

“One of the hardest things about going to therapy is showing up,” Galbraith said. “I feel as though it’s one of the biggest hurdles you could ever jump but when you do it’s the most beneficial feeling.”

The Counseling Center is another resource available to students who find themselves struggling during their college career.

“The best thing that could be put in place when it comes to the Counseling Center is putting up fliers about it around campus, and not only in the month of September,” Galbraith said.

“Raising awareness around campus could save someone’s life, beyond just the link at the end of the syllabus.”

Parker said The Dean of Students Compassion Advocacy Resources and Education Center (DOS CARE) aspires to offer holistic care for students, encompassing their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

One of the resources provided through DOS CARE is Basic Needs Hub. Students can discover links to various services catering to their needs, such as housing security, food security and career resources.

Another service DOS CARE Center usually offers is emergency funding assistance. If a student is grappling with the financial repercussions of an emergency, a staff member can provide guidance in pinpointing potential sources of emergency funds such as for rent and utilities. However, funding is exhausted for the remainder of fiscal year 2023.

“We helped a student who was schizophrenic and could not afford their medication because of some personal things going on,” Parker said. “We were able to help with that because they need the medication to function.”

Community Action Inc. of Central Texas’ objective is to facilitate the San Marcos mental health coalition, which it does in partnership with the city of San Marcos, Hays County, San Marcos Consolidated ISD and Texas State University.

Cristal Lopez, Community Action Inc. of Central Texas youth services director, said that while September shines a spotlight on mental health, it remains crucial to sustain this awareness throughout the entire year.

“For us it’s the work of the coalition where we are able to address [mental health] on a regular basis… I have to create a space where people feel they can bring their concerns to me,” Lopez said.

In the most recent email sent Sept. 22, the resident services manager said security would patrol the complex seven days a week in the early morning hours. Increased police presence will also be in the community. In the same email, the resident services manager encouraged all residents to “kindly” lock their doors.

“If you wish to enhance your security further, you are welcome to install ring cameras on your doors,” the email said.

According to the complex GroupMe with nearly 1,400 members, dubbed “Villages Neighborhood Watch”, many residents, mostly women, feel distressed and unsafe in their homes.

Multiple residents at the complex have also said they have difficulty locking their front doors, back doors and bedroom doors. Some residents have filed maintenance requests to fix these locks.

A maintenance request The University Star obtained from a resident was listed as “same day priority” by the resident. According to the resident, the request was not filled by maintenance.

According to Iris, a resident and criminal justice senior, some are finding ways to protect themselves and their roommates.

“It definitely feels unsettling, because we literally have been putting chairs under our bedroom doors when we lock them at night just for extra security,” Iris said.

Iris said she had no intention of getting a firearm until the crimes occurred.

“Since this has happened, I’ve planned this weekend to go test out firearms at a range,” Iris said. “I’m going to buy a firearm because I’m so concerned.”

In the “Villages Neighborhood Watch” group chat, some residents have stepped up where they believe security has lacked.

Drew Harris, a 23-year-old resident, created a map detailing which apartments the suspect, or suspects, have visited. Harris, a hairstylist, updated the map with information from members of the GroupMe between hair appointments.

“Overall, we’re all kind of scared and hope we have guidance from security [at the complex],” Harris said. “I can definitely see that, soon, we’re probably going to take matters into our own hands.”

According to Harris, the map is being updated with new information as it comes in.

Harris sent the map to the resident services manager.

Harris said the complex, which has been “actively working closely with local authorities”, found it useful.

“If I was getting calls [about break ins] and if I was the manager at The Villages, I would have definitely already created this map,” Harris said. “I’m not a detective. I’m a hairstylist.”

The University Star will provide updates to this story as more information becomes available.

Nichaela Shaheen and Carson Weaver, both co-writers on this article, obtained information about this story from The Village on Telluride GroupMe group chat.

PHOTO BY CARSON WEAVER

The entry gates to phase one at The Village on Telluride, Thursday, Sept.

21, 2023, in San Marcos.

The University Star

4 | Tuesday, September 26, 2023

LIFE & ARTS

Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

Theatre department handles grief in new play

By Bianca Thomas Life and Arts Contributor A young woman dressed in a suit of armor, wielding a sword enters on a stage full of luminous colors while dragons fly around as the Texas State Department of Theatre and Dance puts on their own production of “She Kills Monsters.”

“She Kills Monsters” is set in Athens, Ohio in 1995 and follows the story of English teacher Agnes Evans, as she leaves her family’s home following the death of her parents and younger sister Tilly. As she’s packing, she discovers a Dungeons and Dragons module, created by Tilly. After deciding to play the game, Agnes is pulled into an action-packed adventure as she begins to dive more into what was her sister’s personal refuge.

“When you meet the characters in real life, you realize how personal the module is to Tilly, like it's not just made up.

It's real,” Karina Bozanich, the actress for Tilly and performance and production junior, said. “It's both what she wished could happen and what she feared would happen.”

For the show, Director Jerry Ruiz, the head of the MFA directing program at Texas State, pushed students to put their own spin on the characters.

“I try to work with students the same way that I work with professional actors, which is to treat them as collaborators to really be open to their ideas to their creativity,” Ruiz said.

The script has similar features to a movie script with a lot of cut scenes throughout the play. This challenges not only the actors but the set designers as well, forcing them to translate onto a stage.

“And going off of that the play itself is written in a very, not

peculiar way, but just it's almost campy,” Hatlyn Barricklow, the actress for Agnes and performance and production senior, said.

“She Kills Monsters,” also features LGBTQ+ characters.

Ruiz felt as though this play would be very meaningful to not only the LGBTQ+ community within the department but within Texas State as a whole.

“We wanted to program something that would offer positive portrayals of those experiences,” Ruiz said.

In preparation for this play, the cast and crew members have been rehearsing since the first day of school and auditioned last semester before school ended for summer. At the auditions there were more than 100 students with hopes of making the cast of 12 actors.

“It was important to find people that could really naturally bring that sense of humor and comedic sensibility to the table,” Ruiz said.

Barricklow, who also starred in “Antigone” as an ensemble character, said that she is grateful to go from a minor role to a big role within the Texas State Theatre Department.

“It's a dream come true,” Barricklow said. “It's also a lot of pressure in a way I just feel very responsible for carrying the story.”

The cast of “She Kills Monsters” are looking forward to presenting a show that teaches empathy, regret and the importance of how stories can help people understand one another, all while having numerous fight scenes.

“I mean there’s cool swords, what more can you get?” Bozanich said. “Dragons, incredible amazing fight choreography and a heartfelt family story. It has everything.”

PHOTO BY HALEY VELASCO

Karina Bozanich (left), actress for Tilly in "She Kills Monsters," and Hatlyn Barricklow (right), actress for Agnes in "She Kills Monsters," rehearse a scene in "She Kills Monsters," Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at the Performing Arts Center.

“Linking the legacies”: Artist honors moms’ influences through exhibit at TXST

By Carlene Ottah Life and Arts Reporter At the Texas State Galleries, a series of objects are found lying on the floor, visual points on the walls and embroidered pieces hanging from the ceiling. To its artist, it unweaves the story of their ancestry and the different ideas at play.

JD Pluecker, artist, continues their project with the second iteration of “The Unsettlements: Moms,” analyzing the lives and legacies of Claire Pluecker, their birth mom, and Linda Anderson, their adopted mom, while thinking about ancestry, belonging, queerness, identity and white supremacy.

In their teens and early 20s,

Anderson supported JD, a queer and transgender person, when their family could not. Over time, they and their parents have had a close relationship and are grateful to Anderson for providing what JD needed.

“A lot of the work is really to honor those bonds and to think with both mothers about what it means to fight, what it means to make choices, what it means to live, what it means to support one another,” JD said.

The exhibition blends Claire’s and Anderson’s lives with insight into their pasts. Some of the sketches are also physical installations in the room, such as the blue satin clouds and the shape on the wall outlined with plastic cemetery flowers. At the bottom lies a container

representing the burial site of one of JD’s oppressive ancestors.

“I made that shape on the wall out of these cemetery flowers,” JD said.

“The plastic cemetery flowers are kind of linking the legacies of this oppressive ancestor with Linda, to kind of show the ways that I like to see shows up in my own family, and then also the ways that perhaps we can find energetic ways to deal with those legacies.”

“The Unsettlements” project began in 2018, describing various mediums delving into Texas’ past and present. It is

JD does is pull objects from these sites that they visit that relate to their family’s history,” Handwerker said.

Over the summer, JD traveled between San Marcos and Houston, finishing up works and bringing them back for installation. Priscilla Salgado, gallery monitor, observed the process often and got to see JD as a person.

“Being able to see an LGBTQ person and go into their space and talk, have a conversation about all these things that I’m not very familiar with —

Being able to see an LGBTQ person and go into their space and talk, have a conversation about all these things that I'm not very familiar with — I think it opened up my curiosity a lot more to understand the principle that everyone comes from different places."

Priscilla Salgado Gallery Monitor

PHOTO BY CARLENE OTTAH

Theatre teacher certification sophomore Regan Childress (left) and performance and production junior Austin Cook view Claire Pluecker and Linda Anderson's archives on the wall, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at the "The Unsettlements: Moms" exhibition at Texas State Galleries.

grounded in sites of memory, violence, silence and ancestry regarding the eight generations of their family who lived in Texas for two centuries and how multiple legacies pass down through generations.

Margo Handwerker, Texas State Galleries director, invited JD a few years ago after discovering their work through a colleague who saw “The Unsettlements: Dad.” The two of them talked about doing a project at the gallery about JD’s ancestry in the region and worked through multiple ideas.

“A lot of [the ideas from our field trips together in the region] does come out in the work because a lot of what

I think it opened up my curiosity a lot more to understand the principle that everyone comes from different places,” Salgado said.

The exhibition will be on campus until Nov. 7. JD said it is essential for students to hold up other ways of being in the changing state of Texas. For those in art programs, JD hopes the exhibition will give them a sense of freedom in what they create.

“You don’t necessarily have to privilege the art world,” JD said. “You can make things for the people that you love, and those engagements can be made for other people.”

The University Star

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 | 5

LIFE & ARTS

Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT COMMUNITY

PHOTO BY MEG BOLES

Festival goers share a laugh before the Mermaid Promenade starts, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in San Marcos.

“Everyone came together for the first time [in 2016] and a lot of love was out there,” Green said.

“Now, we have so many more vendors, a lot more community and more people involved and a lot more river awareness with a lot more people to talk about it.”

Along with bringing awareness to the San Marcos River, Moreno’s mission for the festival is to connect newcomers to the San Marcos community.

Tresa Johnson, a beginner belly dancer in New Braunfels, joined the Mermaid Promenade for the first time this year.

While Johnson believes the annual festival benefits the city of San Marcos by bringing more attention to the river and new local businesses, she said the festival allowed her to express her creativity through the art of

a mermaid.

“I love mermaids and the costuming and colors, because I am definitely a colorful girl,” Johnson said. “I think it’s really fun seeing the little children all dressed up with their little wigs and they’re all excited. That’s really fun just to bring joy.”

Besides the annual festival, the Mermaid Society of Texas expanded its eco-guardianship book program this month to all elementary schools in the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District (SMCISD) in celebration of the festival’s seventh birthday. The program provides books to young students with the mission to educate on protecting the waterways.

“Books that are purchased are all about ecoeducation and mermaids,” Moreno said. “And all the

parade entries this year for the festival are 100% going to the youth eco-guardianship program, so how can you not want to be a part of the parade, knowing that you are contributing to our community?”

Although the celebration has ended, Moreno and many other local residents are looking forward to coming together again and celebrating the love for the San Marcos River and mermaids.

“We are one community,” Moreno said. “And this river is the centerpiece to our town and this is something that we can all really be proud of and champion in a big, beautiful, amazing way. From babies in the arms, to children in schools, to university students, to all of the community.”

FROM FRONT CREATIVITY “The term Apogee means reaching your highest point, your climax,” Howard said. “The way we like to phrase it is like, Apogee represents the culmination of community. So we try to bring in the live music scene, the electronic music scene, the artists – every asset and every facet of the community.”

The annual event went on hiatus during COVID-19 but returned to its scheduled routine last year. Howard said while they reach out to different collaborators outside of the local scene, the heart of the event is highlighting local talent.

Erica Simmons, the executive director of Southern Star Farms, is from Dallas but now resides in San Marcos.

Simmons said when planning events, she strives for it to be personable.

“We want each experience to be unique and we want to tailor it to each person's needs,” Simmons said. “It's definitely the attempt and the goal to make every event as successful as possible in that person's eyes and that person's perspective.”

Simmons said she met her husband at a festival and has spent years traveling to many festivals.

“This has a very San Marcos vibe,” Simmons said. “It feels like San Marcos

PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC WENDT

Golden Dawn Arkestra saxophone player Topaz McGarrigle performing at the Martian Arts Festival, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Maxwell, Texas.

locals. It feels like San Marcos local art. It feels like the people that are just genuine, kind, open and engaging. That's one thing I love about San Marcos.”

Will Ross, a gallery facilitator for the festival, did some live painting during the event as well as helped place the art on the different art installation walls in preparation for the weekend.

Ross said on one wall he was going for a natural and organic feel whereas the other wall was meant to feel more psychedelic. The center wall of the gallery had a projector that used technology called projection mapping and lightform to scan and create visuals on top of the art.

Local photographer Christopher Paul Cardoza has been attending and documenting Martian Arts Fest since the first year and has seen the evolution and shifts that have taken place throughout the years.

Cardoza said he has continued to see an increase in terms of size and ambition since year one.

“That's why I’ve covered it,” Cardoza said. “Because [Howard] tries to stay true to the root of what San Marcos is about: art, music, community. It's as simple as that. I just love them and I believe in their vision.”

6 | Tuesday, September 26, 2023

The University Star

The University Star

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 | 7

SPORTS

David Cuevas Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

Fencing club’s pride grows after COVID-19 recovery

By Brendan Fielding Assistant Sports Editor In 2019, COVID-19 cut one of Texas State’s longest-standing clubs down to a record-small size of approximately 15 members.

After winning the championship of the SWIFA in 2022 and another podium finish in 2023, the Texas State Fencing Club aims to dominate its upcoming season and retake possession of the SWIFA title while continuing to display its tight-knit community.

When COVID-19 cut the club’s population down, it was hard to keep things running, senior and former vice president Peter Cu said. However, the rebuilding of the club added a level of pride and is now looked at as a great accomplishment by its members and officers.

“During [COVID-19], we were in a church in Kyle [with] slippery floors,” Cu said. “And we had like five people coming [to practice]... Seeing it come back like this, it’s pretty crazy.”

Since COVID-19, Texas State fencing has been on the rise when it comes to competition and population,

PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE FENCING Texas State fencing club president Tim Grimshaw duels a UTSA opponent, Oct. 23, 2021, at Belmont Hall in Austin, Texas.

current club president Tim Grimshaw said.

“Both my years [here] we’ve gotten in the top three [of SWIFA],” Grimshaw said. “But this year we’re going to get first again. We’re coming in strong.”

Though its mindset is firm on

winning, Texas State Fencing's objective is to showcase its inclusivity by providing a space for its members and those interested in joining to try the sport out before looking past it.

“We don’t force you to pay club dues to actually grab a weapon and

compete,” Grimshaw said. “Our thing is ‘Try it before you buy it.’”

Madelyn Metevier, an English junior, said anyone who’s interested should come out and give fencing a try, and that the club exceeded her expectations when she joined it. “[When I joined], I was really intimidated because there were a lot of people who had been doing it for a long time and I was brand new,” Metevier said. “[The team] encouraged me for months and it was just so heartwarming to have people that are caring about you and pushing you to be better than who you are.”

The club also has a strong support system among its students and alumni.

Grimshaw said when it comes to physical support, the club’s alumni remain involved for decades after graduation and help the team develop their skills. This effort from the alumni creates a sense of longevity for members according to Grimshaw.

“We have a lot of practice support from the alumni,” Grimshaw said.

“When I graduate I’m going to keep coming back to help out as long as I can because I’m devoted to this club.”

Lindsey Scott Jr.: Finding love for the game of football

By Carter Bordwell Sports Contributor Texas State offensive assistant Lindsey Scott Jr. still maintains his love for football despite facing numerous hardships in his career.

In 2015, Scott was named the Gatorade Louisiana Football Player of the Year, an award given to the most outstanding high school prospect in the state. This recognition came after leading Zachary High School to a 5A State championship.

After committing to Louisiana State University his senior year, it looked like Scott was ready to lead the Purple and Gold. However, after the firing of Les Miles in 2016, new head coach Ed Orgeron had a different vision at the quarterback position. Scott decided it was best to transfer after redshirting his freshman season at LSU. "I think it's one of those things where you go into a situation where you are expecting everything to work out and it doesn't," Scott said. "I think that part of my life taught me about perseverance, and it also taught me how to find success in my failures."

When Scott decided to leave LSU, the then NCAA rules in place did not allow transfers to have playing time unless they sat out for a year or had an approved waiver. However, this rule did not apply to junior colleges.

Scott decided his next move would be to East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, Mississippi — the same school that was featured in the Netflix documentary "Last Chance U." "While I was there, I learned a lot about myself and the game of football," Scott said. "It's one of those things where if you don't love football, you

can't play there because it is a very tough the quarterbacks. the addition of Scott has helped him in place to be."

"He's just one of those guys who's his transition into the Bobcat program.

Scott said after throwing for 3,500 really talented and has the whole "He brings leadership and yards and 29 touchdowns in one season, package,” Kinne said. “He has a bright confidence,” Hornsby said. “Right now, he found his love for the game again. future in coaching." he’s helping us learn the offense, and he He then transferred to the University of With Scott being a former transfer just played in the same offense. He is Missouri, but only played for one year quarterback and Texas State having teaching us the ins and outs of it, which before returning to Louisiana to play three transfer quarterbacks on the roster, is helping me become a better player on two seasons at FCS program Nicholls Scott said he has a great opportunity to the field and in the film room.”

State. offer insight and advice.

According to Scott he acknowledges Scott said he believed he would go "I think the biggest thing is just the he has other options but is in no rush to pro after his final season at Nicholls ability to empathize with them," Scott leave football.

State, but after receiving a medical said. "I've been in a position where "I got my bachelor's in computer redshirt, he was allowed to play one I’ve come into a new offense and have science, but at the same time, I love more season of collegiate football. After to master it and play on Saturdays. I football,” Scott said. “There are a lot meeting G.J. Kinne and his staff Scott think I can put myself in their shoes and of avenues I can explore. Being around decided he would transfer once again answer any questions they have and help football just makes me want to be a big– this time to the University of the them with their journey." time offensive coordinator somewhere. I Incarnate Word.

Texas State redshirt junior want to stick around as long as I can."

"Coach Kinne and coach Leftwich quarterback Malik Hornsby, a transfer hit me up one day while I was training from the University of Arkansas, believes in the spring, and they wanted me to come down for a visit," Scott said.

"After watching film with them for two hours… I knew it was a no-brainer."

In his sole season at UIW, Scott put up historical numbers, throwing 59 touchdowns and leading the nation's top-scoring offense that averaged over 51 points per game. Scott received the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the top FCS player every season.

"It was my first time in college that I had a head coach who played quarterback, and an offensive coordinator who also played quarterback,” Scott said. “I wanted to give it a shot and felt like I had a lot more in the tank. It ended up being one of the best decisions for myself."

With this kind of success, it was PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE ATHLETICS no surprise that when Kinne left UIW Texas State offensive assistant coach Lindsey Scott Jr. embraces redshirt for Texas State, he hired Scott to his sophomore quarterback T.J. Finley (7) at the Baylor game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, coaching staff. Kinne said he’s noticed at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. the relationship that Scott has built with

The University Star

8 | Tuesday, September 26, 2023

STAR SNAPS

PHOTO BY MEG BOLES

(Above Right) Texas State Cheer takes the field before Texas State football versus Nevada, Sept. 23, 2023, at Bobcat Stadium.

(Center Left) Mariachi Nueva Generación performs before a football game, Saturday, Sept.

23, 2023, at Bobcat Stadium.

(Below) Texas State fans celebrate in the stands, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Bobcat Stadium.

PHOTO G

BY ME BOLES

(Below Left) Girl plays with bubbles before the mermaid promenade starts Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in San Marcos.

(Below Right) A merman flexes during the mermaid parade Saturday, Sep. 21, 2023, in San Marcos.

PHOTO BY MEG BOLES

(Bottom) Junior quarterback Malik Hornsby (4) high fives redshirt sophomore quarterback T.J. Finley (7) after Hornsby scores a 13-yard touchdown run against Nevada, Saturday, Sept. 23, at Bobcat Stadium.

PHOTO BY MEG BOLES

PHOTO BY KOBE ARRIAGA

PHOTO BY FELIX MENKE

The University Star

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 | 9

OPINIONS

Rhian Davis Opinions Editor staropinions@txstate.edu

Opinions in The University Star are not necessarily those of our entire publication, Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

ILLUSTRATION BY DELANEY COMPEAN

Rodrigo shares a powerful message in "GUTS"

By Faith Fabian Opinions Contributor On Sept. 8, Olivia Rodrigo released her sophomore album "GUTS." Since then, the album has experienced a soar in popularity and audience approval.

The album contains many upbeat pop-rock songs that give it a non-serious edge; however, they are integral to the picture Rodrigo is trying to illustrate.

"GUTS" holds one of the most powerful narratives about girlhood I've ever experienced in music.

The album's opening contains the songs "all-american bitch” and "bad idea, right?" which start the album with early 2000s nostalgia while simultaneously expressing the experience of a new generation of teenagers.

"My favorite song was ‘all-american bitch’," Chandana Deepthi, a computer science freshman said. "[There are themes] about the preconceived notions about being a teenager."

The song "all-american bitch” oscillates between sweet, melodic verses and a temper-fueled rock chorus, musically representing the inner rage that girls feel despite being expected to be "grateful all the time" or "sexy and kind" on the outside.

The album's beginning sets the tone for the most prominent narrative: The

transitional space between girlhood and womanhood is precarious.

"Her songs express some of the immaturity that follows you into adulthood," Katelyn Menard, a political science sophomore, said.

However, despite the bratty anthems that characterize the album, Rodrigo does not shy away from getting vulnerable as she proves her songwriting ability with ballads like "making the bed" and "teenage dream."

Rodrigo ponders her responsibility in these tracks and what it means to truly learn from her youthful mistakes.

Lyrics like "I'm playing the victim so well in my head/ But it's me who's been making the bed" exemplify a form of ownership over one's mistakes and serve a powerful theme alongside the album's illustrations of the difficulties of womanhood.

In the album's closer, "teenage dream," Rodrigo laments, "When are all my excuses of learning my lessons gonna start to feel sad." There is a profound vulnerability being tapped into during the song. She acknowledges that, societally, there comes a time when a girl is no longer seen as young enough to keep making mistakes, a strong narrative that is painfully relatable.

The song "pretty isn't pretty" is another stand-out on the album, as it gives an authentic account of the

effects of beauty standards. Rodrigo forgoes being cryptic and provides a whole-hearted exclamation of the never-ending cycle of trying to be the "perfect woman."

Rodrigo sings, "I chase some dumb ideal my entire life/ But none of it matters/ And none of it ends."

Despite the somber theme about the harsh realities of body image, the song contains signature pop elements and a catchy guitar progression. Yet, the tone of her voice is highly expressive.

"It's pretty cool when artists do this… It's a happy-sounding song, but it talks about issues that a large group of people face," Emily Quartz, a psychology sophomore, said.

Ultimately, the album "GUTS" is the acknowledgment and subsequent rejection of standards, especially those placed on young women. This is one of the album's most relatable and endearing aspects, and Rodrigo conveys it masterfully.

"Everybody is expected to be held to a standard… I felt like that was the overarching theme of the album," Kristan Beluso, a computer science freshman, said. "[The album says] 'I'm done with the standard,' and I really enjoyed that."

While "GUTS" has been met with success regarding audience approval and experienced a record debut on the

billboard charts, there are still criticisms surrounding Rodrigo's originality.

Many listeners believe her sound is too similar to other artists, claiming her work is unoriginal.

"Even though her sound isn't especially unique, the reason she is blowing up right now is because she represents a new generation of teenage girls," Menard said.

Though she may take inspiration from her contemporaries, this is not necessarily bad. It seems that what makes her stand out are the stories she's telling, which represent a budding generation of young people.

Rodrigo gained some of her fame and opportunity through being a child actor on Disney, and she has been taking voice lessons and piano lessons since the age of five.

"Her privilege definitely cannot be ignored,” Quartz said. “Some artists are sending the same messages she is, but they aren't receiving the same recognition. Everybody should start listening to women and what they have to say about our experience."

Overall, Rodrigo successfully conveys a powerful message about the transition from girlhood to womanhood and the standards that must be rejected in order to fully accept oneself.

-Faith Fabian is an English sophomore

Using delivery services comes with hidden costs

By James Phillips Opinions Contributor The first modern food delivery service, Uber Eats, launched in 2014. Nearly a decade later, the prevalence of delivery apps has skyrocketed. Now, there are three primary services: Doordash, Uber Eats and Grubhub, which have 120 million users combined.

Out of these millions of users, 18-25-year-olds make up the bulk of the user base, according to a survey by the National Institutes of Health. College students, however, must be more aware of the problems caused by delivery services.

The first problem is the extremely high costs of food delivery for consumers. A report from The New York Times found that “markups on food deliveries were up to 91% more than what you would pay if you bought the meal directly from the restaurant.”

These markups happen due to the variety of costs for services, such as the delivery fee or the tip for one’s driver. In addition, many restaurants, such as Chipotle, have started increasing prices for items ordered via delivery services.

However, these apps do not just cause problems for users. The restaurants, in particular, are also facing issues. The most glaring problem comes from the commission fee for each order to restaurants by delivery services. These fees, typically between 15% to 30% of an order, can be lethal in an industry infamous for its thin profit margins.

Many restaurant owners have turned to creating businesses with ghost kitchens to utilize delivery services. Ghost kitchens are restaurants that only sell food via delivery services, with no physical storefront outside the food-prep area.

Because they lack a storefront, ghost kitchens can run several restaurant brands or concepts out of the

ILLUSTRATION BY AFAAF ALNAHAS

same location. In his investigation of ghost kitchens within L.A., YouTuber Eddy Burbank found one ghost kitchen where “44 restaurants… all share [one] address.” Despite their advantages for business owners, these kitchens can be incredibly dangerous to the consumer.

The risks of ghost kitchens come from their lack of transparency. Outside of looking up a restaurant’s physical location, customers have no tools to differentiate ghost kitchens from regular restaurants on delivery apps. This is important because traditional restaurants are required to display proof of health inspections at the front of their stores. Ghost kitchens, which only sell via delivery services, add a layer of difficulty to this process.

In a report on the prevalence of ghost kitchens in the Austin area, KXAN stated that “it’s not as easy for customers to learn whether a virtual vendor complies if they only know the name listed on their app.” Some restaurants with low health scores have been able to rebrand as alternative concepts on delivery apps as a means to continue sales despite poor sanitation. These ghost kitchens and their health risks only exist because of delivery apps.

The drivers for delivery apps are also negatively affected by the services they work for. Delivery services, such as Doordash, claim that their drivers can be their own boss by “[deciding] when, where and how much [they] work” and “choose whether or not to accept orders.” While partially true, these statements do not tell the entire story of being a delivery driver for an app.

A report by Mashed found that “delivery drivers are considered independent contractors… and [therefore] do not have access to unemployment or health insurance.” Drivers are also forced to pay out of pocket for gas or catering bags, which adds more costs to an already risky job. Students, thankfully, can help drivers by always tipping as much as possible.

Granted, there are some benefits that delivery services do provide. Students with demanding schedules can sign up for these services to make extra money without the hassle of working for an established business. In addition, these services allow for a greater variety of delivery options when individuals cannot travel.

Regardless, delivery apps have affected almost all aspects of the service industry, and the positives do not outweigh the negatives.

-James Phillips is an international relations junior

The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinions Editor for publication.

Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

The University Star

10 | Tuesday, September 26, 2023

SPORTS

David Cuevas Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

Bobcats overcome deficit for best start in a decade

By Jalan Tolliver Sports Contributor

PHOTO BY MEG BOLES

Texas State sophomore running back Ismail Mahdi (21) outruns the Nevada defense to the end zone, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Bobcat Stadium.

It was a tale of two halves as Texas State football (3-1) struggled in the first two quarters with costly turnovers to put them down 17-0 but mounted a comeback in the second half to secure the 35-24 win against the University of Nevada (0-4) Saturday at Bobcat Stadium.

Texas State redshirt sophomore quarterback T.J. Finley threw a 98-yard pick-six to redshirt freshman defensive back K.K. Meier in the first quarter to give the Wolf Pack a 10-0 lead. The Nevada defense also came up with two fourth-down stops in the second quarter to keep Texas State off the board in the first half.

The Bobcats returned to the field and scored 35 unanswered points in the second half, presenting the program’s largest comeback in FBS history. A 25yard touchdown pass from Finley to junior wide receiver Joey Hobert started the run. “[Finley] had some bad things go down, and he was able to bounce back and put the ball where it needed to be,” Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne said.

“I think he showed a lot of maturity tonight.”

Finley finished the game with 295 passing yards and two

touchdown passes.

Sophomore running back Ismail Mahdi had his best performance in a Bobcat uniform, rushing for 216 yards on 21 carries with two touchdowns.

Madhi averaged 10.3 yards per carry.

“Huge props to the offensive line [for] making holes for me,” Mahdi said. “All I had to do was hit them and run fast.”

Texas State struggled to contain Nevada redshirt sophomore quarterback Brendon Lewis. Lewis led the Wolf Pack in rushing with 89 yards. He also went 21-32 for 151 passing yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

Saturday’s victory marks Texas State’s first ever win against Nevada and makes Kinne the first Texas State head coach to achieve a 3-1 record to start a season since Dennis Franchione in 2013.

Texas State will now go on the road to begin conference play in its first outof-state game against the University of Southern Mississippi (1-3), where it will aim to continue its winning streak.

Kickoff between Texas State and Southern Mississippi is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

F

Nevada

10

7

0

7

24

Texas State

0

0

21

14

35

FROM FRONT FOOTBALL “Last season, my mental health was not good,” Bell said. “I tried to put my whole life into football, and I feel like that drained me.”

Bell is determined to make this season different. Ditching the long hair is his way of keeping his mind on what is most important as he makes the decision every day to change his heart.

“My hair is more to myself,” Bell said. “Kind of a contract to myself.

Every time I look in the mirror, I have something [to remind me], ‘Don’t live in your old ways. Stay true to the commitment you try to make to God.’ Because God, at the end of the day, he looks at your heart.”

The importance of Bell's faith is noticeable for teammates and coaches alike.

“If you know Ben, he puts a lot of time into his faith,” Latham said. “I think it’s perfect for the team.”

Defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke also notices Ben’s impact. He said as a coach, he sees Bell as a leader, and his faith is a big part of it.

“He’s extremely faithful,” Patke said. “I always say football is a great way to spread your faith and your belief in God. I think he does that in the most PHOTO BY MEG BOLES professional manner you can.”

Being that Bell is a returner on a Texas State junior defensive end Ben Bell (33) runs out of the tunnel before the team full of new faces, the newcomers Jackson State game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Bobcat Stadium. and coaches view him as a leader.

When it comes to fulfilling that leadership role, Bell is a quiet professional who leads with his actions. “[He] leads by example,” Latham said. “When the younger guys look up to somebody, they see Ben doing his thing. I take a lot of advice he gives to me.”

Patke agrees and said when you look at it from a coach’s perspective, Bell’s leadership is displayed daily just by how he goes about his business.

“He’s pretty reserved,” Patke said.

“But he’s friends with a lot of guys on the team. They look up to him for how he takes care of his body; he cares about his nutrition, he loves the weight room.

He handles himself like a pro.”

The 2023-24 season allows Bell to strengthen his faith and test his body. After putting on thirty pounds over the summer, Bell transitioned to the defensive line, fully embracing the challenge.

“Ben’s a natural pass rusher,” Patke said. “He takes a lot of pride in his technical ability as a pass rusher. [He] plays really hard.”

Playing at a heavier weight can be a hard transition, but with all the work he puts into his body, Bell said he is fresh from snap to snap.

“I definitely feel good,” Bell said. “I feel like I got that juice back.”