TEXAS STATE SHOWS BOBCAT PRIDE WITH SPIRIT FRIDAY
VOLLEYBALL GOES 2-1 IN SEASON OPENER
SEE PAGE 6
SEE PAGE 8
SEE PAGE 2 GAME OF THRONES: FROM THE SCREEN TO THE CLASSROOM
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TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 VOLUME 109 ISSUE 04
DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911
ELECTION
BROADWAY
Hays County Commissioners Court to keep Texas State polling location following outcry By Chase Rogers News Reporter A proposed list of voting centers excluding Texas State as a polling location spurred several organizations, concerned citizens and voting rights activists to voice their concerns Aug. 19 before the Hays County Commissioners Court. Three hours of discussion over current standards set by other universities, students' limited modes of transportation and students' voting rights influenced the commissioners to reinstate the polling location during the meeting. The contentious list of polling centers was introduced under the guise of incorporating countywide polling, which allows voters to cast a ballot at any voting center regardless of permanent location. Prior, only early voting allowed voters to participate at any location. While support was strong for countrywide polling, several individuals took issue with the Texas State location listed as "To Be Determined." The special Aug. 19 public hearing was called by County Judge Ruben Becerra after polling locations were introduced and not discussed in the respective meeting due to an agenda discrepancy. “I’ve called this workshop today because most of the community was excluded from this process,” Becerra said. “I am glad we are now taking the time to discuss it further because this is exactly what our residents have told me they wanted.” Attendees included students from The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas State University and others. Various students, like UT Austin attendee Zachery Price, drew comparisons to Travis County and UT Austin. "We were able to show (the Travis County Commissioners Court) a datadriven method that, based on the number of voters turning out in the campus area, the UT Austin campus area should have seven to eleven polling locations but only had one," Price said. "The numbers basically back this up at every large university in the state." Price's comment resonated with Texas State students who pushed for additional early voting days on campus during the 2018 midterms. The Hays County Commissioners Court then called a special meeting and unanimously approved extending early voting while being under a threat of litigious action, with four-hour long voting lines as a backdrop. Texas State's polling location, located in the LBJ Student Center, was reportedly plagued with long wait times during the 2018 midterm elections, operating for three days from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. These reports coincided with a significant increase in voter turnout for Hays County, as officials reported record-breaking numbers. Compared to the last midterm election in 2014, Hays County saw a 20% increase in registered voters utilizing early voting in 2018. This shows the 2018 early voting percentage doubled in the past four years, clocking in 42% of the electorate using early voting in the last midterm. UT Austin student Joe Cascino,
SEE ELECTION PAGE 2
Jorrel Javier (center) performing as Grover during the national tour of "The Lightning Thief." PHOTO COURTESY JORREL JAVIER
Texas State alumnus prepares for Broadway debut By Brianna Benitez Life & Arts Reporter A passion for performing and a desire to leave an impact on the theatre industry has manifested an opportunity for Texas State alumnus Jorrel Javier to showcase his talents on the Broadway stage. Javier graduated May 2018 from Texas State’s Department of Theatre and Dance. As a student, Javier performed in several productions including "A Chorus Line," "Legally Blonde" and "Evita." Beginning September 2019, Javier will be performing as a lead in new Broadway production "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical." The show is a musical adaptation of the adventure-driven fantasy novel by Rick Riordan. Javier said he fell in love with the Percy Jackson series in sixth grade after he was introduced to the books as part of a summer reading project. "I found solace in these characters and my place within these books," Javier said. "They're the only reason I survived middle school." The performance centers around teenage demi-god Percy Jackson. In the show, Percy Jackson is sent to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods. At the camp, he meets Annabeth, daughter of Athena; Grover, a friendly satyr, and Mr. D, the camp's director who is meant to resemble Dionysus, the Greek god of madness and wine. For the majority of the show, Javier will play Grover, Percy Jackson's best friend and sidekick. He said Grover serves as the comedic relief throughout the musical.
"He is an excitedly loyal character who will do anything to protect those he loves," Javier said. Ad d i t i o n a l l y, Javier will play Mr. D, a character cursed by Zeus, the Greek god of thunder and lightning. Javier has played the role of Grover and Mr. D since January 2019 when Jorrel Javier (middle right) performing as Grover during the production the national tour of "The Lightning Thief." began its national PHOTO COURTESY JORREL JAVIER tour. Javier and his castmates “(My teachers) were my saving performed over 70 shows in 20 cities grace,” Javier said. “They helped me get across the U.S. in touch with people who were willing As Javier prepares for his Broadway to give me scholarships and donors debut, he is most excited to be a part of who were willing to sponsor me in such a diverse cast. Javier said the cast shows.” consists of 10 members, half of which In addition to being encouraged are people of color. by his educators, Javier said he was "Growing up, I didn't see myself on motivated to pursue a career in theatre stage," Javier said. "When I graduated because it was a place where he felt college I made a pact with myself to accepted. encourage young people of color and "There isn't another place or let them know there is a place for them profession I would want to be in," in this industry." Javier said. "If this is how home feels, I Javier discovered his passion for don't want to leave." musical theatre at a young age. His During his freshman year, Javier first performance was in fourth grade lived in Laurel Hall and was a part of for a small production written by his the Honors College Living-Learning elementary school teachers. Javier said Community. At the time, Michael his past educators are the reason he was Burns, professor in the Department able to break into the community of of Communication Studies and the educational theatre. Honors College, was the faculty in SEE BROADWAY PAGE 7
SOCCER
Soccer keeps perfect record at Teal Match By Andrew Zimmel Sports Reporter In a game that went all the way to overtime, Texas State soccer was able to narrowly topple Houston Baptist with a 2-1 victory at home on Sunday
thanks to the foot of Kaylee Davis. The fourth annual “Teal Game,” a match that annually raises awareness for ovarian cancer and opportunities for testing and treatment, was the match of the season so far for the Bobcats.
The victory kept their 17-game undefeated streak alive, a record that ties with UCLA for No. 1 in the nation and stretches back to last season. Davis sank two penalty kicks, a feat which marked the most in Texas State history as well as put the Bobcats at a program SEE SOCCER PAGE 9