NEWS DECLINE IN ARMORED CATFISH DUE TO LOCAL EFFORTS PAGE 2
SPORTS
LIFE & ARTS
INTERNATIONAL SOCCER STAR MAKES AN IMPACT
TXST COUPLE PASSES DUAL LANGUAGE PRIDE TO STUDENTS
PAGE 6
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TUESDAY
November 03, 2026 VOLUME 115 ISSUE 44
EVENT
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION JEN NGUYEN & AIDEN FRITSCHE | DESIGN EDITOR & MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Texas State student Tyson Rizzo (left) and Director of the Center for Student Entrepreneurship Quinn Valentine (right).
STUDENTS TURN PASSION INTO BUSINESS VENTURES By Vanessa Rivera Life & Arts Reporter
The Campus to Community (C2C) student fund program, created by the Center for Student Entrepreneurship (CSE), is designed to help student entrepreneurs take
the step from a campus-supported business to a community venture. Students have the opportunity to pitch to receive up to $10,000 in non-equity grant funding. Six student entrepreneurs were selected for the program, which was highlighted on Oct. 29 at the
Science, Technology and Advanced Research Park (STAR Park). The student businesses that were selected for this year are Orynth Industries, founded by Donavan Brown; Hair Supremacist, founded by NaJaiyah Virgil; Your Art Held (YAH’s) Descent, founded by
FOOTBALL
Kreestyn Okorodudu and Lucrecia Olususi; Meza Metal Sculptures, founded by Bernardo Meza; Ez- T Vintage, founded by Israel Trujillo; and Southern Floral Designs, founded by Kyla Tipton.
SEE FUND PAGE 7 UNIVERSITY
‘Cats drop thriller vs No. 20 Boise State Workload policies to be revised by new R1 task force By Ayden Oredson Sports Editor
BOISE, Idaho - Down 28-3 entering the final two quarters of the game, the Texas State Bobcats almost came back against the No. 20 Boise State Broncos, but fell short 46-45 on a cold and rainy Halloween Saturday night at Albertsons Stadium. Trailing by four scores entering halftime, the Bobcats (4-4, 2-2 Pac-12) tallied 36 unanswered points against the top team in the conference, even leading the Broncos (7-1, 4-0 Pac-12) by 11 with eight minutes to go in the game. But Boise State backup quarterback Max Cutforth squeezed every possible second he could to muster up the Broncos’ own comeback in true Pac-12 After Dark fashion, handing Texas State yet another one-score loss and a missed opportunity of capturing their first win over a top 25 opponent. “Super proud of our guys [with] the way they fought back in the second half,” Texas State head coach
G.J. Kinne said. “Wish we could have put it away, credit to [Boise State] and their backup quarterback [Max Cutforth] came in there and played his butt off.” The Broncos took advantage of early Bobcat mistakes to open up the game, driving down the field and surviving both a nearly disastrous muffed punt that was overturned by review and an interception by junior defensive back Michael Patterson Jr. that was called back due to a personal foul. BSU’s senior starting QB Maddux Madsen gave the Broncos their first lead of the night with a six-yard scramble on third-and-goal, as he leapt for the goal line and punched it in. Boise State added to their score with a five-yard rushing touchdown up the middle from junior running back Dylan Riley.
SEE RECAP PAGE 6
By Kyd C. Ledezma News Contributor
AYDEN OREDSON | SPORTS EDITOR
Boise State freshman wide receiver Rasean Jones (19) hauls in a touchdown against TXST, Saturday, Oct. 31, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho.
A task force is being created to review and amend policies surrounding professor workload balances between research and class time. Discussions about the ongoing gradual changes and adjustments to continue meeting R1 requirements were held at the Oct. 21 Faculty Senate meeting with the President’s Cabinet. Conversations centered on possible changes and effects of more research, including increased class sizes, less course availability from semester to semester, and more opportunities for graduate teaching assistants.
SEE FACULTY PAGE 3
Hays County experiences an increase in early voting turnout
COUNTY
By Rylee Valva News Contributor
Early voters beat the previous midterm turnout record ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Hays County saw an 8.74% increase in early voting turnout compared to the 2022 midterm election. Approximately 98,057 early ballots were cast in Hays County in 2026, 31,880 more than in 2022. In November 2022, 66,177 of the county’s 167,750 registered voters cast early ballots, according to TexPolls and the Texas Secretary of State. Midterm elections include federal, state, and local races. Hays County’s early voting turnout rate increased from 39.45% in 2022 to 48.19% in 2026, a 22.15% increase. According to
the Texas Secretary of State, 7,717,024 votes were cast as of Oct. 30 statewide. Shams Aljanabi, nursing freshman, said as a first-time voter, she is excited to vote in the midterm election, specifically in the races for Texas Governor and U.S. Senate. The Texas gubernatorial race features incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, state representative Gina Hinojosa (D-Brownsville), and Libertarian Pat Dixon, each with distinct stances on issues important to Texans. Aljanabi said she was inspired by candidates Hinojosa and Talarico to be an active and vocal voter. AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
SEE ELECTIONS PAGE 2
Voting sign, Monday, Nov. 2, at the third floor of the LBJ Student Center. Elections day is on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
NEWS
2
Arabella DiChristina | News Editor | starnews@txstate.edu
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Seguin firefighter Tyler Kobulnicky and his girlfriend spearfish, Sunday, Nov. 1, at Rio Vista Park. Kobulnicky was fishing as part of the Atlas Environmental Tournament.
Local conservation efforts lead to decline in armored catfish By Arabella DiChristina News Editor
The San Marcos River has seen a decline of an invasive species population due to local conservation efforts, including spearfishing tournaments. Distinguishable by its bony armor plates, downward-facing suckermouth, strong spines and ranging from three inches to three feet in length, the suckermouth armored catfish, commonly known as pleco, is an invasive species in the San Marcos River. Invasive species are non-native organisms that spread rapidly in a new environment due to the lack of natural predators, competitors or parasites to control their population. They have the potential to cause harm to the environment, economy and human health. Nick Menchaca, owner and operator of Atlas Environmental, a contractor that removes invasive species and litter from the San Marcos River, said Atlas has been contracted to remove the catfish since 2013 through the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP). EAHCP is a regional environmental plan implemented in 2013 to protect 11 endangered and rare aquatic species while ensuring a stable groundwater supply for Central Texas, according to the Meadows Center. Menchaca said Atlas removes armored catfish and tilapia, another invasive species, through spearfishing, using a spear to capture the specific fish. They also host two spearfishing tournaments a year to help remove invasive species from the San Marcos
FROM FRONT ELECTIONS
River, one in the spring and one in the fall, which is currently ongoing. From the spring tournament, Feb. 13 - March 1, there were 183 armored catfish removed, totaling 64.15 pounds. Meadows Center Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist with the Ecological Research Group, Christopher Riggins, removed 109 armored catfish, according to Atlas Environmental’s website. “They could really take over the river if what we were doing isn’t happening,” Menchaca said. “There’s still a lot out there and you know, it’s going to be very difficult in the river to remove all of them.” Menchaca said suckermouth armored catfish out compete other fish for resources and burrow into riverbanks, creating honeycomb-like chambers. Over time, Menchaca said those burrows can collapse and erode the river. While their burrowing behaviors are one of the most detrimental effects the suckermouth armored catfish has on the ecosystem, Riggins said they have been documented disrupting other fish and even ingesting endangered Fountain Darter eggs.
“Especially since we have so many endangered species here, [it’s important to keep the catfish] population at a minimum. [They are a danger] even to wild rice, if they’re burrowing and kind of digging into vegetation, they can dislodge the rice roots and cause the loss of that Texas wild rice,” Riggins said. It’s not clear how the suckermouth armored catfish ended up in the San Marcos River, but they have been documented for decades, according to Riggins. With the ongoing efforts to get rid of the invasive armored catfish in the river, Virginia Parker, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation, said it’s important not to contribute to its population “First thing is, don’t add to the problem. So if you have a fish tank, don’t dump it into the San Marcos River when you’re finished with it,” Parker said. “You can take fish that you need to the Discovery Center and that won’t add to the problem of these armored catfish being in the river.” Typically, invasive fish come from two sources: personal aquariums where the individual dumped the
AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
An armored catfish after being speared, Sunday, Nov. 1, at Rio Vista Park. The catfish was caught as part of the Atlas Environmental Tournament.
“The way [Hinojosa and Talarico] are speaking, and the things they stand for are super motivating [to me],” Aljanabi said. “[With] younger people being able to vote and register, a lot of us are super motivated to make change.” Caden Douglass, political science lecturer, said the record-breaking voter registration could be related to the U.S. Senate race. The U.S. Senate race between current attorney general Ken Paxton and James Talarico (D-Round Rock) has drawn national attention, according to Douglass. Voter registration statewide hit a recordbreaking 19,041,684 registered voters as of October 2026, compared with 17,672,143 in Nov. 2022. Representing an increase of approximately 7.75% in registered voters. “I think in the past, the idea for a lot of people [has been] ‘Oh, my vote doesn’t count because I’m in a red state, and it’s going to go to the Republican no matter what.’ [You] especially hear younger people saying this. But the difference [is that] this time, Talarico really does have a chance of winning,” Douglass said. The increase in early voting in Hays County reflects a statewide trend across Texas. Approximately 7.4 million early ballots were cast during October 2026 early voting, compared with approximately 5.5 million during the 2022
midterm election, according to data from the Texas Secretary of State. The Cornerstone Project, a non-partisan organization that aims to prepare and register eligible voters before early voting, had representatives on campus to help students understand the registration process. Amelie Lanoux, a Cornerstone Project worker, said the increased voter registration was predictable. “I feel like the midterms have always been really important, but because we’re Texas, how we show up to the polls and vote influences the country in general,” Lanoux said. Lanoux said there are three main factors contributing to increased voter registration: canvassing, youth engagement and political climate. “Canvassing, that’s part of my job. We contact people; we do phone banking; it makes people more aware of voting [and registration]. Youth engagement: a lot of researchers have said that Gen Z is one of the most politically active generations ... [things such as] gas prices, war, groceries being expensive, it makes people pay attention. It makes people angry, and it makes people want to act on that anger and frustration. One of the ways we try to channel that is by getting them to register to vote,” Lanoux said. Early voting has ended, but registered voters can still go to the ballot on Election Day, Nov.
3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. will still be allowed to cast their ballot.
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fish into the habitat, or an industry producing the fish to sell and ended up introducing the fish into the ecosystem. Since 2013, Atlas Environmental has removed 20,000 suckermouth armored catfish from the San Marcos River within the city limits, according to Menchaca. “The numbers of armored catfish have reduced significantly,” Riggins said. “… They’re harder to find, which is good. They used to be common in any section of the river; you could walk up in the middle of the day to see a bunch of them, you know, swimming around.” Riggins said his team and a Texas A&M University team collaborated to identify what species the suckermouth armored catfish was, with some results pointing to Hypostomus fonchii as the closest. Hypostomus fonchii is a species of freshwater catfish originally from parts of South America. Menchaca said spearfishing doesn’t harm the native species and is one of the most successful ways to remove suckermouth armored catfish in the San Marcos River. After the suckermouth armored catfish are removed from the river, Menchaca said they are used for fish emulsion compost, where leftover parts of the armored catfish are mixed so that they can become plant fertilizer. The Fall Atlas tournament began on Oct. 2 and lasts through Nov. 8. Menchaca said there will also be a free Invasive Fish Fry, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Nov. 15 at Ivar’s River Pub, where the Atlas crew will be frying the invasive tilapia and giving out free fish tacos.
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NEWS
Arabella DiChristina | News Editor | starnews@txstate.edu
3
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
FROM FRONT FACULTY Faculty Senate discussed how professors’ workloads continue to be adjusted, balancing research, teaching and service with the university’s growing financial expenditures in research. Texas State University has already met R1 requirements, and the university is continuing with its gradual growth and adjustments rather than large and sudden changes, according to Vice President of Research and Chief Research Officer Shreekanth Mandayam. R1 is a status given by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education, labeling institutions as having high research activity. The requirements for a university to gain R1 status are to invest a minimum of $50 million in research expenditures and award at least 70 research doctorates a year. Mandayam said in the 2026 fiscal year, the university spent $194.7 million and graduated 90 research-based PhD students. He said that there will be no sudden changes to Texas State’s R1 status, and the university is just waiting for Carnegie’s spring 2028 announcement. “We have already been operating like an R1 institution as long as I have been here, and all we have been doing is investing more and more in the research enterprise,” Mandayam said. Mandayam said teaching is a priority within the university when asked about a possible increase in focus on research as the university upholds its R1 status. “Teaching is first, foremost and paramount at Texas State University,” Mandayam said. “If you do not want to be a good teacher, and if you are not passionate about teaching students, you do not belong here.” Associate Vice Provost for Academic Budgets and Planning, Matt Brooks, said during the meeting that Academic Budgets and Planning is working on a task force to look over and review policies that have been in place that support the university’s R1 standing. “I think we’re going to initiate the charter for that to look at spring, looking at our whole policy, looking at what we can do to make adjustments, recognizing the change in the R1 environment, and those types of things,” Brooks said during the meeting. Brooks said during the meeting that the task force will include representatives from deans, chairs, administrative units, and the offices involved in workload reporting.
KALIYAH RILEY | STAR ILLUSTRATOR
According to Brooks, the task force is set to charter in November and review the spring semester of 2027 to make changes to current workload and research policy for professors that help ensure that the workload between classes and research time is distributed equally among professors. Further information on the task force has not been released as of Nov. 2. As of now, most tenure-track professors begin at a 2-2 teaching load, meaning that they teach two classes per semester. As professors secure tenure, most take on a greater workload, with more classes per semester, often changing with higher demands for research in their field. Texas State President Kelly Damphousse said during the meeting that he was uncertain about approaching the workload discussion during the meeting, trying to determine the proper workload to standardize now that Texas State has reached the R1 requirements. “I’ve always thought that the standard teaching load of a research-active faculty at an R2 or
especially at an R1 institution should be two-two,” Damphousse said during the meeting. “That should be the goal ultimately.” Currently, Texas State University holds the status of R2, which requires only $5 million invested in research and 20 research doctorates awarded a year. The university is set to get its R1 status in the spring of 2028. Professors are also able to have their workloads reduced by using money from external grants. If professors secure an external grant, they work with their department chair to negotiate an instructional workload buyout that uses the funding to cover the cost of hiring faculty to cover classes, allowing the professor to dedicate themselves to more research. Faculty Senate meets every Wednesday at 4 p.m. More information and meeting agendas can be found on their website.
OPINION
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Regina Orozco Lopez Forment | Opinion Editor | staropinion@txstate.edu
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
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.
Texas State student burnout is very real By Regina Orozco Lopez Forment Opinion Editor
With the rise in “hustle culture” and an all-or-nothing priority for success, the toxic glorification of burnout has become normalized. This kind of mentality can be harmful to overloaded students, as it forces exhaustion and crosses healthy work ethic lines. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. The main symptoms of burnout are feelings of energy depletion, reduced professional efficiency and increased mental distance or negative feelings towards one’s job. Burnout appears after prolonged overwork and exhaustion, all stemming from an overload of responsibilities on an individual’s plate. When one aspect of someone’s life, whether that be professional or social, outweighs the other, a tipping point is inevitably reached. Although having a sense of productivity and drive propels individuals forward, the line between efficiency and toxicity is thin and can often unknowingly be crossed. Toxic productivity, which is an unhealthy obsession with being productive at all times, often at the expense of mental and physical health, can turn ineffective and create a lack of productivity. The overwhelming reaction to an overloaded schedule can in turn create the complete opposite of what is initially desired when the grind mentality sets in. According to Harvard Health Publishing, the warning signs of a slip into a toxic grind mentality are a false sense of urgency, inability to relax and a feeling of guilt or shame at a lack of daily accomplishments. Thus, proving that when the grind mentality takes over, the ultimate
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION JEN NGUYEN & AIDEN FRITSCHE | DESIGN EDITOR & MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
outcome is a lack of productivity due to overpowering stress and a need for quick feelings of success through task completion that become nearly impossible to satisfy. As students, the quick dopamine trigger that stems from completing a set task because of the psychological rush and rise in dopamine it creates can often create a cloud of overachievement that can quickly turn toxic. In recent years, having to balance a full-time college schedule and work a job, all while maintaining relationships has become the norm. So, although overloaded schedules cannot always be avoided, there are things to be done in order to leave the hustle mentality and arrive at a healthy point of productivity. PJ Sonnier, business management and accounting senior who juggles being an employed full-time student and a leader in a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), said that Texas State has tools to help students who may feel burnt out or overwhelmed. “There are a lot of resources on campus to assist us whenever we are
On Anti-Muslim rhetoric To The Person Who Chalks AntiMuslim Slogans on the Sidewalk There’s a new one every week. I step over fresh chalk slogans as I walk to school from my apartment. Pink, yellow, green. All variations on the incredibly original line: “Islam is a death cult. Get out!” Usually the word “Islam” is rubbed blurry by the feet of concerned passersby. But anyone can easily understand the sentiment. Chalk artist, whoever you are, I’m sure you know there are many Muslims at this school. I’m sure that’s why you write the message – so that all the Muslims who walk past it can see it. Maybe you want them to be afraid. Or maybe, somehow, you think you’re helping. After all, it’s a cult, right? You’re a hero – like a crusader. I’m trying my best to imagine you generously, a real human instead of a close-minded radical. What groups do you belong to? I myself am Christian - let’s pretend you are,
too. What would you want someone who feared Christianity to do? Write down their anger on the road, for dozens of Christians to feel every day? No - you’d say: that’s no way to go about your problem. Why not start a civil conversation? Why not support someone in crisis? Make a safe space? Talk to Christians: you assume so much, but you don’t know them. For the love of God (you’d say) - don’t cause more pain. Our callous world allows for “edgy” debate over personal things like identity, but catchy slogans and posturing don’t change lives. They only further isolate us. If you want to help, act like an adult. Put down the chalk! Maybe this is all for nothing. You’ll probably never read this letter. But if you do – color yourself some better humanity. Paloma Dineen English junior at Texas State
Letters to the Editor Policy The University Star welcomes letters from our readers. Letters must be
300 words or fewer to be considered for publication. Writers must include their full name, mailing address, major and academic year designation (for students), phone number and e-mail address when submitting a letter. Submissions that do not include this information cannot be published. This information is seen only by the editors and is used to verify the identify of the letter writer. It is
feeling quite stressed,” Sonnier said. “[When] feeling overwhelmed, I try to take advantage of the resources we pay for as Texas State students because in my experience they do generally help.” Hustle culture has been around since the start of the 21st Century, when it became the norm. However, newer generations are starting to push away from this mentality in order to prioritize a healthy work-life balance that strays away from toxic productivity. Texas State students, no matter the workload, have support from the university in dealing with excess stress. Resources like the Counseling Center, found both in the San Marcos and Round Rock Campus, with online or phone scheduling, allow students to schedule appointments during business hours Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, for a virtual 24-hour service, TimelyCare provides on-demand emotional support to talk about anything, stress included. Students can also take individual steps to keep productivity healthy and help avoid burnout. By dividing focus, maintaining healthy habits like
exercise and food as fuel, prioritizing rest, a wide web of support from loved ones and finding personal tactics to aid in stress management, students can stay afloat even when busy. “Being able to prioritize grades, mental health, social life, professional development and leadership can happen with having an actual method to managing stress is very important, as opposed to floating by and approximating what [is manageable] … is helpful,” Sonnier said. According to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, educators can also play a key role in aiding students as they navigate busy schedules and stress. Some ways in which professors can help are through teaching coping skills, spacing out course content, creating supportive environments and promoting balance. Ultimately, life can steer students in all directions, and that can be overwhelming. But with the right support, balance and focus on healthy habits of work and social life, as well as utilizing resources at the university, Texas State students can find a balance
On media and the world Through a screen darkly A lot of young people have a sense of hopelessness about the world. If you selected at random anyone not feeling exactly hopeless, it’s nearly certain they’d still have some serious anxieties about how things are going and will go in the future. There really are credible reasons to feel nervous. But it’s no help that media and discourse constantly remind us that there really are credible reasons to feel nervous, scared even. Granted, it’s not wise to overstate the influence of media on opinion and behavior, but its influence mustn’t be understated, either. We should never lose sight of the fact that what we see online isn’t a faithful reflection of the world – and not because people ‘put up a good front’ online (since this idea is only partly true), but because the internet attracts negative sentiment and refracts it into a false image of the
world; misery loves company, misery loves commentary, and misery loves commenting. In this vicious circle, we get more and more miserable. It’s not even necessary to contribute to this cycle to partake in it, since anything you look at for enough time every day is bound to impress itself on you, regardless of what it is. Doubtless there really is a lot of misfortune and uncertainty in the world right now, but media magnifies the appearances of all of these things. Media is a looking-glass. The less the world is looked at through it, the more familiar the world looks. If you notice people expressing nostalgia about a time in their life when they were less, or not, online, don’t mistake that as garden variety nostalgia. You can make the world look more like how it used to. It’s easy to get started. First, delete your account. The rest is up to you. Jakob S. Price
not used for any commercial purpose. Letters become the property of The Star and may be republished in any format. The letter may be edited for length and clarity. An editor will contact the letter writer if their letter is a candidate for publication. The Star will not run letters that are potentially libelous, discriminatory, obscene, threatening or promotional in nature. Letters can be submitted to staropinion@txstate.edu or by mail to Attn: Opinion Editor, The University Star, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666.
GAMES
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Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026
Sophia Gerke & Milla Deur | Creative Services | starcreative@txstate.edu
CROSSWORD
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THE UNDERBRUSH 2
Down: 1. Fair Retail. 2. Wolf-raised human girl fighting against environmental destruction. 5. Over the Garden Wall’s main characters: _______ and Greg.
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Across: 3. “The Last _____.” 4. Name for a baby deer. 6. The Cure’s dark post-punk track: “ A _____.”
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NONOGRAM THE UNDERBRUSH
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1 2 1 1 1
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WORD SCRAMBLE
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THE UNDERBRUSH
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1. AFE FAIRY
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2. SOMS
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3. AYDRD
TREE SPIRIT
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4. EOGRV WOODS
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5. NMGEO
GARDEN
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6. PASLNGI
SPROUT
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SUDOKU
SHADE OF GREEN
GAME BY SUDOKU-SOLUTIONS.COM
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RIDDLE BY CATS’ POETS SOCIETY MEMBER: KARINA WIEZBENSKI You delight in my birth and yearn for my fall Many find shelter below while I dance above all I fly only when I have nothing left to say Yet even then, I paint the colors of your day At times I am gathered just to be scattered so My name is simple, so say it if you know.
ANSWER: __________________
Word Scramble (1) RIP, (2) Rise, (3) Grave, (4) Zombie, (5) Morgue, (6) Vampire
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Crossword (1) Cronos, (2) Romero, (3) Shaun, (4) Buffy, (5) Stoker, (6) Death
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SPORTS
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Ayden Oredson | Sports Editor | starsports@txstate.edu
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 SOCCER
LIBBY ALLEN | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
Texas State senior midfielder Victoria Meza (4) defends against Texas A&M, Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Bobcat Soccer Complex. The Bobcats beat Texas A&M 3-2.
From San Salvador to TXST: Meza makes her mark By Julia Veilleux Sports Reporter
For senior midfielder Victoria Meza, soccer has always been her constant. When she was young, her mother asked her brother’s soccer coaches to let her join practices. “It was always a part of my life,” Meza said. “At some point, I took it more seriously, and now I’m here.” Meza, a San Salvador native, competes with the El Salvador Women’s National Team. Many of her teammates were already studentathletes, including former Texas State defender Juana Plata, who graduated from Texas State in 2023. “I already had the idea of coming to college and playing soccer at the same time as studying because for my family, it’s really important to have your education,” Meza said. “So I started to ask around, ‘How do I write an email? How do I invite coaches to see me and to contact me?’”
Meza’s highlight reels and in-game performances, coupled with a personal recommendation from Plata, quickly caught the eye of head coach Steve Holeman. “I think the expression [I would use to describe her] would be ‘she’s [as] good as advertised,’” Holeman said. “She’s so talented, but one thing you don’t see is how hard she works to get where she is off the field.” Success has followed Meza throughout her career, and it’s all led up to her breakout 2026 season. In 2025, she was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference First Team and the SBC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, propelling Texas State to a SBC tournament title. In the midst of Texas State’s inaugural Pac-12 season, Meza is playing her best campaign to date. She currently leads the Bobcats in goals scored (11), second in assists (6), first in points (28) and shots (46). Meza is second in the conference for total goals and game-winning goals (5).
“I’m very grateful to play with her,” junior defender Jenny Ngankem said. “I hope that in the future she will play in the best club because she deserves that.” Meza’s efforts earned her a spot on the 2026 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and the MAC Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List. Meza was also named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week after her standout performances against the Rice Owls on Sept. 3 and against Gonzaga and Washington State on Oct. 22 and Oct. 25, respectively. Meza’s performances against the Bulldogs and Cougars made her the Intercollegiate Women’s Soccer Organization for Coaches’ National Player of the Week. In the Bobcats’ back-andforth match versus the Owls, Meza contributed to all four of Texas State’s goals, tallying three assists before scoring her third game-winning goal of the season in the final minute of the game.
rushing 35 yards to the end zone. The defense complemented the offense’s efforts not just by forcing a turnover, but by holding Boise State to no points in the third quarter. The fourth quarter was chaotic as it featured a combined 38 points between the two teams. To start the final quarter of action, Jackson tossed a 44-yard bomb to Sparks as he spun and hauled the ball over his left shoulder to give Texas State the lead for the first time all night at 32-28. After two quiet drives, the Broncos started deep in their own territory, and Madsen threw a pass into the hands of freshman DB Jayden Bradley, who took it back into the end zone for a 20-yard pick-six, putting the Bobcats up 39-28. Madsen then went down with a left knee injury after taking a hard hit as Cutforth came in with 7:55 to go in regulation. Cutforth drove down the field and found Jones for a score, but failed a 2-point conversion; they would retake the lead on their next drive after forcing an interception off a TXST
trick play on third-and-13, but another failed conversion made it 40-39. Texas State quickly retaliated when Jackson connected with sophomore WR Zechariah Sample over the middle, as he took it 72 yards to the house, but another failed conversion kept the score at 45-40. Boise State then drove down the field, and Cutforth tossed a pass to senior WR Akeem Wright, who toe-tapped in the back of the end zone to give the Broncos the late lead. The Bobcats’ final drive quickly stalled after a failed fourth-down conversion, and after a seven-yard rush from Riley on third-and-three, the game concluded with Boise State as the victors. “Coach [Spencer Danielson] says, ‘just keep swinging,’ that’s just how football is,” Cutforth said. “ ... It’s not over until it’s over.”
Now the sixth-highest scorer in program history with 23 total goals, she hopes that her journey with soccer won’t end after her time at Texas State comes to a close, with the plan of playing at the professional level after college. “First, I want to graduate, and after that I will for sure play pro and try to do the best at any club or any team,” Meza said. After Meza’s time at Texas State is done, she wants to be thought of for her hard work. “[I want to be remembered] as a powerworker, a game changer [and] somebody that the coaches and teammates can rely on,” Meza said. Texas State will end the regular season with a 9 p.m. showdown against Fresno State on Thursday, Nov. 5 at Bulldog Soccer Stadium in Fresno, Calif. The game will be available to stream on the Pac-12 YouTube channel.
FROM FRONT RECAP Texas State mustered up a drive and got on the board with a 31-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Jacob Bonilla, making it 14-3. Shortly after, Madsen added his second rushing touchdown of the game with a short one-yard push. To end the half, the Broncos drove 77 yards with less than three minutes on the clock. With just eight seconds remaining in the half, Madsen lofted a 12-yard pass to the corner of the end zone to freshman wide receiver Rasean Jones to increase the point margin to 25. Texas State emerged from halftime with a 67-yard strike from sophomore QB Brad Jackson to senior WR Chris Dawn Jr. to make it 28-10. After Patterson Jr. forced a fumble recovery at the Broncos’ 41-yard line, the Bobcats struck again with a three-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Ty Stamey, with senior WR Beau Sparks taking it in for a 2-point conversion to put the game within 10. Jackson brought the game to a three-point deficit himself after finding room to run up the middle and
Texas State will stay in the Pacific Northwest and play the Oregon State Beavers at 9:30 p.m., Nov. 7 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. The game will be broadcast on the CW.
NATALIE MURRAY | ASSISTANT DESIGN EDITOR
AYDEN OREDSON | SPORTS EDITOR
(Left) Texas State sophomore quarterback Brad Jackson (8) communicates to senior running back Torrance Burgess Jr. (4) during a matchup against No. 20 Boise State, Saturday, Oct. 31, at Albertsons Stadium. (Right) Boise State fifth-year quarterback Maddux Madsen (4) hands the ball off to junior running back Juelz Goff (22) against Texas State, Saturday, Oct. 31, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The Broncos beat the Bobcats 46-45.
LIFE & ARTS
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Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Cady Clements | Life & Arts Editor | starlifeandarts@txstate.edu FEATURE
“Futuro Bobcats”: TXST couple instills bilingual pride By Regina Orozco Lopez Forment Life and Arts Contributor
“Futuro Bobcats” translates to “Future Bobcats,” where stories were told and voices were uplifted by a Texas State couple who encourages confidence in more than one language. Students and teachers from all backgrounds came together to inspire third graders from Clear Spring Elementary to find pride in their bilingualism in Academic Services Building North (ASBN) on Oct. 23. The third graders wore shirts with the words “Futuro Bobcats” in Spanish, meaning future bobcats, which was the name of the students’ field trip. This would not have been possible without the efforts of a faculty couple, Luz Alba Murillo, associate professor of bilingual education and Patrick Smith, professor of bilingual/ biliteracy education and English as a second language (ESL) “This activity that we have been doing for eight years stays in the hearts of these kids,” Murillo said. “I think it is very important to further support our Latin community; it is extremely needed, and we can start [this support from a] young age.” Murillo discovered her passion for reading and writing in Colombia while working with indigenous communities, while Smith found it through his work with migrant families in Mexico.
Murillo and Smith met in 2003, after Murillo joined Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT), which is where Smith worked on his project. After moving to the U.S. in 2006, they continued their work with children of immigrants and migrants, which led them to teach Texas State alumni, who are now mentors to current students. Through Murillo’s and Smith’s years of advocacy, they have also inspired all ages to carry their legacy to future generations. Reyna Guevara, Comal ISD third-grade dual language teacher, bilingual/biliteracy education alumna and former student of Murillo and Smith, said the two inspired her to be a part of a program that empowers student voices. “I have had the majority of kids since first grade; now they are in third grade. They are proud to be bilingual, to speak Spanish and to speak English as well … their families are involved, and know that their knowledge extends beyond the classroom as well,” Guevara said. The event inspires students to see Texas State as an option, giving them strong building blocks to later become a part of an institution that represents them and uplifts their talents, according to Smith. “Other than rigor, for bilingual kids, it is important to us that we work
with teachers that understand that being bilingual is an accomplishment,” Smith said. “The teachers, students and families allow us to be able to create a community within Texas State, one that has not always been possible, historically, for Latin children.” Additionally, Murillo and Smith have created a space where both languages are encouraged. Student teachers, who are currently bilingual/ biliteracy education students in Murillo’s class, helped the kids practice both languages during their visit to the university. Lauren Morales, bilingual education senior, said she would have loved this opportunity when she was a kid and is happy to be a part of it now. “I chose to be a bilingual teacher to work with my community … I want to give my kids support and encouragement to have a successful life, despite all the odds that may be against them,” Morales said. This testament and feeling of Texas State pride was shared by the families of the children as well. Christian Valverde, father to a boy in Guevara’s class, said that this would not be possible without the dedication that Murillo and Smith instilled in Guevara. “Something that surprised me is the connection from [Reyna] Guevara with the university; the type of education that she offers was not
available in my time [at school] … it is possible because she studied here and has fostered these skills in our kids,” Valverde said. The connection between young students, their parents and their teachers, with professors and student teachers has made for a fruitful development of language and unity, according to Smith. This event also encourages bachelor students to become advocates for the kids they will teach in the future while creating career opportunities for them. “We are unafraid educators, and we teach our students to be the same … these students [both Texas State students and elementary students] are intellectual, capable and talented,” Murillo said. With a legacy of constantly pushing boundaries for bilingual children, granting the proper tools to encourage them and raising a generation of teachers who will advocate for their kids, Murillo and Smith’s work has inspired many. “The philosophy is to raise a child, not a test score … the bar has to be set high,” Smith said. Murillo and Smith’s quotes were translated from Spanish to English for this article.
AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Texas State bilingual education student teaches, Friday, Oct. 23, in the Academic Service Building North (ASBN). Third-grade students visited Texas State as part of a field trip called “Future Bobcats.”
FROM FRONT FUND
NaJaiyah Virgil, business management senior The YAHS Descent founders began a in front of people and she like definitely pushed and founder of Hair Supremacist, cultivated a collaborative process of brainstorming ideas me and made me the best version of myself,” braiding business on the foundation of creating creating a presentation to pitch and getting Tipton said. an experience where women feel comfortable and feedback from mentors. When talking to donors, Mentorship played a big role in helping cared for during their service. their pitch is focused on their personal story. the founders of YAHS Descent find new pitch Virgil, who started braiding at a young age, “I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily pitching opportunities and encourage them to keep trying. said she realized there weren’t any services focused just a business. We’re also pitching us as people,” “A lot of people have been our mentors. Randy primarily on the experience of the customer, and Okorodudu said. [Haran] has definitely been our mentor. Quinn she wanted to change that. Beyond the grant, students receive support, [Valentine] and Kendall [Perkinson], they’ve been “I wanted the women to feel beautiful and hands-on mentorship and resources needed to such a huge support system for us,” Olususi said. “ listened to and heard and we didn’t have that yet,” grow and strengthen their business. The student ... A lot of the pitch competitions, we didn’t even Virgil said. “And so that’s what I was focusing on entrepreneurs shared how much they valued the know about it, but they would reach out to us and in high school. And I built a suite in my garage, C2C and mentors for their guidance. For Virgil, say, ‘Oh, I think you’d be a good fit.’ And even if just [so] that I could be a little bit more professional having multiple mentors gave her new perspectives. you didn’t make it like the first round, try again and I just kept growing.” “I think having plenty of mentors helps you next semester. You’re gonna make it somehow.” Kyla Tipton, marketing junior and founder see things from [an angle] you never ever thought C2C offers a door for student entrepreneurs of Southern Floral Designs, first stepped into about,” Virgil said. “ ... The different perspectives, to take their passion and ideas and turn them into the floral industry at 13-years-old where she getting it from someone older, wiser, seasoned. something bigger. Their ventures are more than a began developing a passion for floral It’s different.” business but a personal reflection of their creativity, design that turned into creating her For Tipton, mentorship dedication and perseverance behind doing what own business. through Quinn Valentine, they love. Tipton said she started Director of CSE, helped “If you love what you do, you’re gonna do with small events, working her with pitching and it regardless of your schedule,” Olususi said. “Because although there’s a lot of sleepless nights, from a small space and public speaking. “[Valentine] once we get the end goal that we using only a mini fridge wanted, I get so happy and I’m for her arrangements. mentored me ... because I had so excited and I just want to With the C2C fund, she no idea how to keep working and go like said she was able to pitch and speak faster and forward.” grow her business and work out of a studio space and a cooler, which helped increase her bookings. For Kreestyn Okorodudu and Lucrecia Lucrecia Olsusi Olususi, business Business management senior management seniors, and co-founder of YAHS Descent. their business, YAHS Descent, came about through navigating difficulties their freshman year. The founders’ shared interest inspired them to place words of affirmation on the bags they create, which are designed in hopes of being an uplifting message for others. “A lot of people, I feel like they need to take their self-worth more seriously, and they just need that self-esteem boost,” Okorodudu said. “So, that’s why we decided our first affirmation to be a reminder that ‘hey, you do deserve to be happy.’” AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Business founders in the program have the opportunity to gain guidance from mentors on Texas State business administration master’s student and CSE program coordinator Kendall Perkinson speaks refining their ideas and pitch their vision to donors. to donors on Thursday, Oct. 29, at STAR Park. C2C is a program that connects student founders to donors.
If you love what you do, you’re gonna do it regardless of your schedule.
SNAPS
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Aiden Fritsche | Multimedia Editor | starmultimedia@txstate.edu
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
SAMUEL LEE | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
The National Anthem is played before the game, Thursday, Oct. 29, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats beat the UTRGV Vaqueros in women’s basketball, 76-43.
LAUREN TOURISH | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
A student musician sings for the biannual Noche De Mariachi, Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Evans Auditorium.
AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Seguin firefighter Tyler Kobulnicky spearfishes, Sunday, Nov. 1, at Rio Vista Park. Kobulnicky was fishing as part of the Winter Polespear Tournament.
A student musician performs at Noche De Mariachi, Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Evans Auditorium. Noche De Mariachi is a biannual concert event.
LAUREN TOURISH | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Texas State Center for Student Entrepreneurship Director, and faculty member, Quinn Valentine, speaks at the C2C event, Thursday, Oct. 29, at Star Park. C2C connects students with investors.
AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
AYDEN OREDSON | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
Seguin firefighter Tyler Kobulnicky and his girlfriend pose with their catches, Texas State senior cornerback Trez Moore (2) helps prevent a completion against Sunday, Nov. 1, at Rio Vista Park. Kobulnicky was fishing as part of the Winter No. 20 Boise State, Saturday, Oct. 31, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The Polespear Tournament, hosted by Atlas Environmental. Broncos beat the Bobcats 46-45.