VOLUME 102, ISSUE 22
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HOMECOMING ISSUE
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 11, 2012
Interactive Map
The University Star put together an interactive map of all campus parking, with features such as highlighted parking zones and detailed lot information. Visit UniversityStar.com or scan here for a closer look.
Organizations prep for derby
Quiet zones to silence trains at local intersection By Karen Zamora News Reporter City of San Marcos officials updated residents from the Victory Gardens neighborhood Wednesday about future railroad “quiet zones” in the area. The Engineering and Capital Improvements Department addressed approximately 20 San Marcos residents on the future improvements of the Patton and Eisenhower Street railroad crossing. Janae Ryan, graduate engineer for the Parks and Recreation Department, said the intersection is one of
26 public railroad crossings in the city to be “quiet zoned.” About 20 trains pass through San Marcos every day, she said. A quiet zone is a section of a rail line with alternative safety measures put in place, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. The measures waive the requirement that trains blow their horns when approaching crossings, according to the administration. Crossings without quiet zones require trains to sound their horns 15 to 20 seconds before crossing public tracks. Linda Huff, Engineering and Capital Improvements director, said the quiet zones
limit the trains’ use of whistling unless there is an obstruction on the track. She said the noises and the flashing lights at the railroad crossings will still be intact as a safety measure when trains are approaching. Ryan said some of the safety improvements to be made to the quiet zones include road medians on either side of the track, “No train horn” signs at each railroad crossing and quad gates. Ryan said because many residents spoke against closing Patton Street during the im-
READ RAILroads, PAGE 3
SPIRIT SHOWCASE Homecoming Talent Show contestants demonstrate skills, thrill crowd
Kathryn Parker, Staff Photographer
Austin Darsey, accounting senior, and Jason Wagner, excercise and sports science senior, test the Sigma Chi soapbox derby car Oct. 9 in preparation for Friday’s race. Sigma Chi has won the soapbox derby the past three years. By Megan Carthel News Reporter Zach Edstrom may be racing in his organization’s soapbox car from last year, but is confident he will take his team to new heights at Friday’s Soap Box Derby. Edstrom, mass communication sophomore and Mu Sigma Nu member, said he will give his team a literal leg up in this year’s derby. His 6-feet-9-inch frame is what he hopes will be the secret to winning the race. Student organizations, residence halls and greek organizations participate 2 p.m Friday in the annual Soap Box Derby. The event has been held since 1967. Eddie Perez, Order of Omega president, said the location of this year’s race has been changed. Traditionally it is held on the hill in front of Commons Dining Hall. However, the race has been relocated to the front of the Student Recreation Center and the Family and Consumer Sciences building due to recent construction. The tradition was first sponsored by the Interfraternity Council, but is now held by the Order of Omega. There are three brackets within the race: residence halls, greeks and student organizations. Each car has two days to be inspected by the Order of Omega to be eligible to enter the race. Edstrom said mental preparation and a “streamlined form” is the key to winning the race. His strategy differs from last year’s driver, who was afraid to ride down the hill without brakes. Edstrom said he will use little to no brakes. “I feel like we’re kind of the underdogs,” Edstrom said. “But we’ve got a lot of determination and heart.”
Sonja Burton, Staff Photographer
Top: Harambee, step and dance group, perform at the Homecoming Talent Show Oct. 10 at Evans Auditorium. Left: Kristian Vasquez, music studies freshman, dances to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” during the Homecoming Talent Show in the Evans Auditorium. Vasquez defeated 18 acts ranging from dance to vocal performances. By Nancy Young News Reporter Bobcats filled the Evans Liberal Arts Auditorium Wednesday night to cheer on their classmates in the annual Homecoming Talent Show. The talent show featured 19 acts and was sponsored by the Student Association for Campus Activities. The acts consisted of singing, dancing and other various performances that had the crowd on its feet. Ultimately, Kristian Vasquez, music studies freshman, won the judges over with his Michael
READ SOAP BOX, PAGE 3
Jackson-inspired dance. Tiffany Roemer, former Associated Student Government vice president, hosted the show with Anyssa Bohanan, mass communications senior. Myisha Bradham, Pride and Traditions coordinator, announced the men and women who were elected as Gaillardians during intermission. The finalists for Homecoming King and Queen received sashes. The crowd snapped along as Courtney Shilo, applied sociology sopho-
READ talent show, PAGE 3
Campus organizations to select Gaillardian winners By Colin Ashby News Reporter A few select students were honored by their peers in one of the oldest Texas State Homecoming traditions. The Gaillardian Award was made to recognize the outstanding and accomplished students at the university, said Myisha Bradham, director of Pride and Traditions for the Student Association for Campus Activities. Fellow Bobcats select the Gaillardians each year in an election. About 35 students were nominated for the
Gaillardian Award this year, Bradham said. The students come from a number of campus organizations including Delta Gamma, Chi Omega, University Ambasssadors and Diamond Sweethearts, among others, she said. Student organizations are a major part of the Gaillardian selection process and choose students who they feel are exemplary and successful, Bradham said. Bradham said the Gaillardian Award is one of oldest traditions at Texas State and dates back to the 1920s. The award was established by Texas State’s former yearbook and named
after the school flower, the maroon and gold Gaillardia, she said. “The Gaillardian tradition represents the various organizations that are on campus,” Bradham said. “Their representation is more so of Texas State than the actual Homecoming King and Queen.” The 12 finalists, six men and six women, are presented the Gaillardian Award at the Homecoming Talent Show, Bradham said. The honorees wear Gaillardian sashes Saturday to the Homecoming celebration. The Gaillardian award is not just about outstanding efforts and accomplishments, said
Peter Pereira, staff advisor for the Student Association for Campus Activities. He said the award requires students to show academic efforts. The nomination form requires students to have a minimum 2.5 GPA, he said. “We check for grades before voting to make sure everyone is eligible to be in the election,” Pereira said. Pereira said last year’s Gaillardians included Anyssa Bohanan, Mindy Ballesteros, Lindsay Collyer, Meg Gandy, Jennifer Iles, Nicki Johnson, Gabriel Garcia, Alistair Laing, John Luna, Nathan McDaniel, Vincent Pitocco and Brandon Toussant.