February 4, 2020

BLACK HISTORY AT TEXAS STATE

FIVE TIPS FOR STARTING A SIDE-HUSTLE

SEE PAGE 4 SEE PAGE 7

In 1963, Dana Jean Smith, Georgia Hoodye, Gloria Odoms, Mabeleen Washington and Helen Jackson—five women— became the first black students to attend Southwest Texas State College after the Federal District Court in Austin, Texas, ordered that the school be desegregated.

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TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2020 VOLUME 109 ISSUE 19

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

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GRADUATE SCHOOL EDITION SAN MARCOS

FEBRUARY 2020

DECEMBER 1984

PHOTO BY MARGARET HOWARD

PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON

The history of Cape's Dam at Thompson's Island remains unclear decades after its construction. Debates over whether or not slave labor was involved when the dam was built continue to take place. Moreover, the San Marcos City Council has yet to decide whether or not the dam will be destroyed or preserved as a historical marker.

SLAVE LABOR DISPUTE FLOODS CAPE'S DAM

By Gabriella Ybarra News Reporter As discussions on whether to preserve or remove Cape's Dam continue, locals and community leaders have called into question the history of Thompson's Islands.

The argument pertains to whether slave labor was used to build a sawmill and gristmill in the 1850s at the location of Cape's Dam. In a Feb. 3, 2019 San Marcos Daily Record op-ed titled “Lets Acknowledge the Role of Slave Labor,” San Marcos Parks and Recreation advisory board member Jordan Buckley wrote, “Don’t

take my word for it—park behind The Woods on River Road, carefully cross the street and examine for yourself.

Multiple Cape’s Dam preservationists in recent days have publicly denied the contributions of individuals enslaved by the Thompson family.”

Buckley was referring to the Thompson’s Islands historical marker at Strokes Park which mentions the use of slave labor to build a mill near the site of Cape's Dam. Following Buckley’s op-ed, Hays County Historical Commission Chair Kate Johnson wrote a letter to the editor released on Feb. 6, 2019 in the San Marcos Daily Record in which she

explained that the current historical marker at Cape’s Dam is a “mistake.”

“The Hays County Historical Commission realizes mistakes were made in the past and memorialized on historical markers. Even the Texas Historical Commission understands this and has tried to correct errors when discovered in the more than 16,000 historical markers across the state as funds and staffing allow. The price of a historical marker is currently $1,875.

Unfortunately, correcting historical facts is an expensive undertaking,” Johnson stated in the letter.

Thompson’s Islands is named after William A. Thompson, a cotton planter,

ginner and slave owner who owned the land where Strokes Park is today.

According to an 1860 U.S federal slave schedule from Ancestry site, Thompson owned 25 African-American slaves which ranged in age from a four-monthold female infant to a 70-year-old male.

The historical marker was placed in 1994 after late descendent of Thompson, Kathryn Thompson-Rich, submitted an essay to the Hays County Historical Commission detailing her great-great grandfather’s history.

She explained that Thompson moved to Caldwell County in the 1850s where he allegedly struck a gentleman’s agreement with the landowners of what is now SEE SAN MARCOS PAGE 3

DEBT

GREEK LIFE

Graduate studies debt overwhelms students

By Sandra Sadek News Reporter

The Pi Kappa Phi house is located on Comanche Street near the place of attack on Nikolas Panagiotopoulus on Oct. 27, 2019.

PHOTO BY REBECCA HARRELL

Fraternity suspended after university investigation

By Daniel Weeks Assistant News Editor Texas State’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter faces a seven-year suspension from the university following an alleged assault perpetrated by members of the fraternity. The national chapter has since submitted an appeal to the

university's decision.

An official statement from the university, provided by Media Relations Manager Jayme Blaschke, reads, "The administrative review of Pi Kappa Phi has been completed. The fraternity has been suspended for a minimum of seven years beginning Jan. 27, 2020."

The alleged assault took place Oct. SEE GREEK LIFE PAGE 2

Student loan debt often makes headlines but omits the increasing debt of graduate school, requiring more financing tactics from students.

Currently, the annual student loan debt for graduate schools across the U.S. is $37 billion and 40% of all federal student loans are used for graduate studies each year, a 2020 report from the Center for American Progress states.

Takia Bunton, social work graduate student, did not think she could qualify for financial aid as a graduate student, especially since she already took out loans as an undergraduate. Today, Bunton is using loans again to finance her studies as she struggles to make payments while studying and working

full time. Her total for undergraduate and graduate loans estimates around $60,000.

Bunton said she tried to get a second job but decided against it, believing it would be too hard to manage alongside her studies. Instead, she is now using loans with saved up money to manage her tuition and rent.

"It's hard for me," Bunton said. "I'm trying to make payments while I'm in school as a full-time student and working full time and then having to make payments so I'm not extremely overwhelmed once I graduate. It does cause some stress."

Dean of the Graduate College Andrea Golato said students borrowing federal student loans receiving a graduate degree—either Masters or Ph.D—at Texas State graduate with an average debt of $34,534.

SEE DEBT PAGE 2

The University Star

2 | Tuesday, February 4, 2020

NEWS

Chase Rogers News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

ELECTION 2020

Early polling locations approved for Hays County

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

Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Jakob Rodriguez stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor: Sonia Garcia starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Chase Rogers starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Laura Figi starlifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinions Editor: Laura Nunez staropinion@txstate.edu Sports Editor: Claire Partain starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Molly Gonzales stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Jaden Edison starmultimedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Isabella Lopes starsengagement@txstate.edu

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About Us 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 4,500. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

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By Gabriella Ybarra News Reporter Early voting locations, dates and times for the March 3 primaries were unanimously approved by the Hays County Commissioners Court Jan. 14.

Although the county originally planned to begin voting Monday, Feb. 17, the court settled for Tuesday, Feb. 18 because Monday falls on Presidents Day, according to Elections Administrator Jennifer Anderson.

The and times are listed as follows: Feb. 18-21, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Feb. 22, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Feb. 23, 1-6 p.m Feb. 24-28, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Election Day voting will be March 3, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Voters will be able to choose from any of the listed locations during the early voting period following the approval of countywide polling by the Texas Secretary of State's Office Dec. 31, 2019.

Despite past pushes to remove it, Texas State's LBJ Student Center is among the list of polling locations and will be available during the early voting period and Election Day. In San Marcos, the Sinai Pentecostal Church was used for early voting and Election Day; however, upon recommendation of Elections Administrator Jennifer Anderson, the location is now only slated for Election Day voting.

“Those locations cannot commit to their facility being used for the full two weeks of early voting due to other event commitments,” Anderson said.

Chapa Middle School in Kyle was removed from the list of locations, while a location at the Hays County Yarrington office was added. Anderson said the Yarrington office has added convenience and accessibility.

“The facility itself has good parking, accessibility and is able to commit

The Sinai Pentecostal Church at 208 Lardeo St., one of only two early polling locations on the east side of Interstate 35 for 2019 election, will only be used on Election Day 2020.

PHOTO BY CHASE ROGERS

to the full schedule," Anderson said.

"In addition, its location on the east side of Interstate 35 and the border of San Marcos and Kyle makes it a convenient location for many east-side voters,” Anderson said. “There is a lot of development out in that area that will eventually utilize that location as well.”

Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe thinks the placement of the Yarrington location will bring in more voters but still hopes other locations will be looked into. "(The Yarrington location) is between the boundary of San Marcos and Kyle, so it may be a good option," Ingalsbe said. "But I know the commission that was formed is looking at voting location sites, so I am hoping they can come up with some other locations."

Precinct 4 Commissioner Walt Smith said he had concerns about the use of Hays County's Justice of the Peace Office as a voting location. According to Smith, because the office will need to be closed during voting periods, it will interfere with its operation. “(The Precinct 4 office) is a traditional location for us, it’s a well used location, the problem we have is that this year

alone with three elections our Justice of the Peace Court will be closed for a month and a half,” Smith said.

Smith said he hopes the Citizen Advisory Council will look into other locations within his precinct.

“Our citizens have an expectation of hosting court there and they also have an expectation of voting there. It’s kind of difficult to meet both those needs,” Smith said.

According to Anderson, Dripping Springs is a difficult area to accommodate, one of the reasons being the amount of churches that have denied use of their facility due to conflicting events. “(The Precinct 4 office) is not an optimal location due to very limited parking and very small accommodations for the volume of voting that takes place there. We are always looking at different options in Dripping Springs,” Anderson said.

The full early voting schedule is available for viewing at https://www. hayscountydemocrats.org/wp-content/ uploads/2020/01/Vote-Centers-EarlyVoting-Election-Day.pdf.

FROM FRONT DEBT

FROM FRONT GREEK LIFE

"It's always more expensive to get a medical degree or a degree in law, and that has to do with both the length of studies and how many semesters you have to study in order to obtain your degree.

Also, different schools charge different amounts in tuition. Stanford University will charge way more tuition because it's a private university rather than a public university," Golato said.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Associate Director Dede Gonzales said 8.6% of financial aid from the university 2018-2019 was given out to graduate students.

"There is more of a reliance on loans for graduate students because there's a lesser availability of things like federal Pell Grants," Gonzales said.

"But last year overall at Texas State 11% of our loan volume was graduate students and graduate students also made up 10% of the headcount so it doesn't seem disproportionate."

Golato said there are many opportunities apart from loans for students to alleviate the financial burden of graduate studies. Those paid opportunities include graduate assistantships, travel funds, scholarships, fellowships, financial aid, loans, external funding and awards.

"About a quarter of all graduate students, around 1,000 of them, are funded by graduate assistantships. About 50% of those graduate students are part-time students because they are working adults," Golato said.

Between June 2018 and May 2019, 96 graduate students applied for external funding totaling to $4.5 million and 21 of those students were awarded a total of $650,000, a 29% increase in awards from 2017-2018. Since 2016, graduate students applied for more than $8 million in external funding and received more than $1.5 million.

Gonzales said the university offers prospective graduate students financial advice when seeking to attend Texas State for one of their graduate programs, free of charge.

"If a student needed help with financial coaching from a certified financial adviser, that's offered to students free of charge for the university so that's a tool that they could use to help plan out how to pay for graduate education," Gonzales said.

Both undergraduate and graduate students have free access to certified financial advisers through Texas State's Bobcat Gold program.

27 around 2:30 a.m. according to a video showing Texas State senior Nikolas Panagiotopoulos being assaulted by members of Pi Kappa Phi. He proceeded to file a lawsuit against the local fraternity chapter and three of its members.

According to the lawsuit, the attack hospitalized Panagiotopoulos for weeks afterwards, temporarily confining him to a wheelchair due to injuries to his skull and brain.

Student Involvement Associate Director Brenda Rodriguez said the decision to suspend the organization was determined in order to effectively reset the culture.

“Typically, we may go five years because we want to ensure there’s a substantial amount of time to eliminate a culture within an organization, especially if there are freshmen that are initiated at the time of an incident," Rodriguez said. "The goal is to hopefully graduate (whichever) individuals were involved and allow for a breath of time, then the organization can hopefully return to a new culture."

Rodriguez said the findings of this particular case lead to extended sanctions.

"We find there are instances where there needs to be a stronger amount of time that an organization may not return to campus, based on these findings the decision was extended to seven years.”

Rodriguez said particular elements of alleged incidents are considered, including if the incident happened at the direction of the organization if a large number of members

were involved and what the location f the incident was, to determine if perpetrators acted individually or in compliance with an organization.

Criminal violations are not taken into consideration during the university's review process of an organization, according to Rodriguez. The sanctions placed on Pi Kappa Phi consisted only of the suspension.

Pi Kappa Phi used their opportunity to submit an appeal of the university’s suspension to the Organization Conduct Appeals Board following the notification of sanctions.

The Student Organization Disciplinary Procedures guidelines state an organization may appeal based on the following reasons, “A substantial procedural error that impacted the hearing; the sanction(s) considered too extensive for violation(s); or new information of a substantive nature not available during the original investigation was provided, prior to a decision being rendered.”

Assistant Executive Director of Communication of the national Pi Kappa Phi chapter Victor Tran declined to give a statement on the incident due to pending litigation. Pi Kappa Phi's appeal process will continue through the Dean of Students Office.

For further information about Texas State greek life news, suspensions and recruitment, visit the university's Fraternity and Sorority Life page.

News Editor Chase Rogers contributed to this article.

The University Star

Tuesday, February 4, 2020 | 3

NEWS

Chase Rogers News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT SAN MARCOS Thompson's Islands, John MeGehee and Henry Davis, for mutual use of the water and land so they could begin building a milling enterprise. Currently, there is no official documentation that shows the alleged transaction.

Thompson-Rich wrote, “A ditch was built to channel the water to the mill by the manpower of slaves.”

According to Hays County Courthouse deeds, construction of Cape’s Dam did not begin until 1867, after the emancipation of slaves in Texas in 1865. However, the center of this debate is whether Thompson used his slaves to build this alleged milling operation in the 1850s.

Author of “Claiming Sunday: The Story of a Texas Slave Community” Joleene Maddox Snider, former Texas State history professor, claims there is evidence to prove Thompson slaves built a sawmill and gristmill in the 1850s with permission of landowners Davis and McGeHee. Snider released a written report Jan. 7 detailing her evidence and presented it to the San Marcos City Council during public comment session.

According to Snider, ThompsonRich’s account is copious in detail and reads too credibly to be dismissed, despite opposing forces arguing that Thompson-Rich could not have provided a credible account because she never knew her great-great grandfather personally.

“I was unwilling to completely discount the Thompson-Rich narrative.

Being elderly does not automatically discount her account. Historians long in the tooth can be competent and astute,” Snider stated in the report.

Snider said gentleman agreements similar to that as outlined by ThompsonRich, were common in the 1800s and usually involved some sort of work in return.

Snider argues that because of the prevalence of slavery in the south during the 1850s, it would be fair to assume Thompson would have had his slaves do any of his physical labor.

“Anything that was built before 1865 was probably built with at least some slave labor, particularly something as large as a mill on a river,” Snider said.

“Not accepting the fact or recognizing the fact that slaves did most of the physical labor exhibits what is, in my opinion, a profound ignorance of slavery in Texas.”

Snider cites a document written in 1948 by writer and historian Dudley R. Dobie titled “Brief History of San Marcos and Hays County” published in the San Marcos Daily Record. The document was pulled from Dudley’s 1932 thesis done at The University of Texas at Austin under American historian Walter Prescott Webb.

Dudley writes, “In an interview with the late A.D McGehee, the writer was told that the first cotton gin was owned and operated by Dr. (W.A) Thompson.

It was combined with a sawmill and stood on the San Marcos river at that point now known as Thompson’s Island.

The gin was constructed in the early 1850s and its power consisted of eight mules.”

A second reference to Thompson states, “Dr. H.W Davis, Stephen McKie, and Dr. William Thompson were the owners of a sawmill located at what is

near Thompson's Islands.

“When you start making statements that slaves built it, but you haven't bothered to do the research on when it was actually built, then that’s a huge mistake of history and historical fact,” Knight said.

Johnson said approximately one-third of the total historical markers in Texas are considered to be incorrect, most of them from the 1970s and 1980s.

According to Johnson, the information used was based on oral history, not primary sources.

Although Johnson said oral history like that of Thompson-Rich is important, she said it should not be treated as a primary source of documentation. “(The Thompson-Rich essay) is a tool to be used but you need a lot more than just one shovel to create anything,” DECEMBER 1984 Johnson said. “You need multiple tools PHOTO BY MARGARET HOWARD to dig or to get anywhere you want to go but I need a lot more documentation then just hearsay.”

According to Johnson, the commission is conducting its own separate investigation into the history of Thompson's Islands, however, because the Texas Historical Commission has no current foundry to produce historical markers, the 2020 application cycle has been postponed and no markers can be made at this time.

The San Marcos City Council has yet to decide whether to destroy Cape’s Dam or preserve it as a historical marker. During a work session Jan. 7, the council announced it was going to continue studies into the dam.

Both Snider and Knight said they are unconcerned about the council’s ultimate decision.

“I don’t care what they do; they can take the dam out of the river and turn FEBRUARY 2020 it to its original course, or they can keep PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON it because it’s historical, just be honest Cape's Dam has been the subject of controversy since October 2014 when the Parks and about who did the work,” Snider said.

Knight admits it is possible Recreation Advisory Board requested a study on the safety and environmental issues in connection to the dam. Thompson slaves could have built a milling enterprise in the 1850s at a now Thompson’s Island. This mill was Rich) went on was information that different location, but without proper built about 1855.” had been handed down by her family, documentation, she said she is going to The thesis, which is currently available and the man who built the dam was stick with the facts. for viewing in The Wittliff Collections her great-great grandfather, so she never “The work that (Francis Stovall and at Texas State, stands as evidence that knew him,” Knight said. “It’s easy to get Kathryn Thompson-Rich) did was very there was activity at Thompson's Islands things wrong and get facts mixed up.” important, but if all you ever do is rely prior to 1865, according to Snider.

Although Knight was chair of the on the research that was done in the “Both references predate the commission, authorizations of the last century, then you’re not learning Thompson-Rich document by forty Thompson's Islands marker were done anything new. You have to take their years, however, for the most part, they under marker chair Francis Stovall. work and build on it and not just accept support Thompson-Rich’s writings,” Knight said she had no involvements in everything they did as fact,” Knight said.

Snider stated in the report. the approval of the marker.

President of the Calaboose African A deed from 1867 shows the purchase “I so failed as chair of the Hays County American History Museum Elvin Holt, of Thompson's Islands by Thompson Historical Commission not to make Texas State English professor, said he from a Catherine Pryor. An agreement certain that the information provided supports Snider's findings and believes signed the same year forms a partnership to the Texas Historical Commission the statement on the historical marker is between Thompson, Davis and a was correct. I trusted Francis Stovall,” correct, however, he is open to any new Stephen McKie outlining how they are Knight said. evidence. going to construct Cape's Dam and the According to Knight, a gentleman "As an African American, I come mill race. agreement is considered to be an oral from a culture that privileges oral According to Snider, the partnership agreement, thus it is impossible to know history, although I know many people agreement signed in 1867 was when whether the agreement occurred. prefer documentary evidence to oral Thompson built upon the operation he Since Thompson did not officially history alone. Fortunately, Ms. Snider’s allegedly had in the 1850s. purchase Thompson's Islands and sign research uncovered credible documents Former Hays County Historical the partnership agreement until after that corroborate details set forth in Ms. Commission Chair Lila Knight, who 1865, Knight said it proves that slavery Kathryn Thompson-Rich’s summary was chair during the official unveiling could not have been associated. of her recollections of family history," of the marker in 1994, has been on the “I understand the importance of oral Holt said. "However, I maintain an opposite side of this debate, arguing history, but it can still be wrong, and open mind on this issue, and I welcome that Thompson-Rich is not credible and documents don’t lie, and they’re not compelling new evidence that challenges there could not have been a gentleman’s mistaken,” Knight said.

Ms. Rich’s recollections." agreement between Thompson, Additionally, Knight said there is McGeHee and Davis. no official documentation that says “Most of what (Kathryn Thompson- McGeHee and Davis owned any land

RESEARCH

New undergraduate research to arrive spring 2021

By Chelsea Mumy News Reporter A new Quality Enhancement Plan is set to take action spring 2022 to implement a new undergraduate research program.

Every 10 years Texas State initiates a new QEP to enrich the college experience by improving the overall learning environment for its undergraduate students. The previous QEP was the Personalized Academic and Career Exploration Center, a program with specialized advising for undergraduate students of all majors that remains a facet of the undergraduate experience.

The newest project is the implementation of an undergraduate research program. While many STEM majors have ample opportunities to interact in research programs, most other majors do not participate in research.

Many research opportunities are typically reserved for those in graduate

programs and are not easily accessible to those who wish to research as an undergraduate.

Graduate research programs are guided by faculty and are mainly independent, giving a majority of the responsibility to the student. Undergraduate research will be modified so the intensity of the program will be under closer guidance by faculty.

French professor Peter Golato, cochair of the undergraduate research QEP, said enabling undergraduate students to participate in research earlier will further prepare them for graduate school.

“There are some numbers somewhere about how many students arrive at Texas State wanting to work with faculty on research," Golato said. "By the time they graduate, the percentage of students who were interested in researching with a faculty member was lower in comparison to those who were actually able to participate in research."

Professor Alejandra Soto, co-chair of the undergraduate research QEP, said implementing undergraduate research will only positively impact the university and could result in Texas State furthering its overall research status to an R1, or major research university.

“Both faculty and students can increase their productivity, that means more grants and funding for the university and an improvement for the entire learning experience for both faculty and students," Soto said. "The university is looking to increase all the indicators that lead toward becoming an R1 institution."

The undergraduate research program will be available to every major regardless of the research interests of prospective students. Students of all academic disciplines will be able to ask questions and get the opportunity to perform research.

Camille Barkhuizen, agriculture

freshman, said students might be more inclined to research about their major through increasingly accessible research opportunities.

“As an agriculture major, I can see many of my classmates doing research on soil or cattle," Barkhuizen said. "This is a great opportunity for students who want to research within their major and have a really niche idea."

Marketing for the QEP project will begin this summer and will be fully approved and put into action by spring 2021. The QEP will be implemented both the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses by spring 2022. There is a proposed space within Alkek Library to house the undergraduate research program.

For more information on the QEP process, visit https://www.sacscoc-qep. txstate.edu/.

The University Star

4 | Tuesday, February 4, 2020

LIFE & ARTS

Laura Figi Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

SIDE HUSTLES

Five tips for starting a side hustle

By Brianna Benitez Assistant Life & Arts Editor College is expensive and for students looking for opportunities to pay off their student loan debt or even fund their daily coffee cravings, taking on a side hustle can be a way for them to earn extra cash while doing something they love.

A side hustle can essentially be anything that showcases an individual's skills that are deemed valuable to the consumer. Regardless of what side hustle students decide to pursue, here are five tips to help them take their talents and ideas to the next level.

1. START WITH A PASSION Building a brand or business structured on passion can help the work put into developing the project feel more like a hobby and less like a chore. For students interested in starting a side hustle of their own, identifying what it is they are passionate about can be a great start.

Syd Nyman, studio art with a specialization in metals senior, has been creating and selling jewelry for two years. Nyman said they would not have discovered their passion for making jewelry if it was not for them taking their first metalsmith class sophomore year.

Depending on the size of the jewelry, Nyman said designs can take them up to three months to create.

Although the design process is time-consuming, Nyman said creating jewelry is a craft they always look forward to.

"When I'm not doing anything, I just want to work on my pieces," Nyman said. "That's all want to do."

Nyman said they create a variety of jewelry pieces including necklaces and cuffs. However, their specialty and favorite pieces to make are earrings. They said they primarily design pieces out of copper, silver and powder-coating.

For students looking to start a side hustle of their own, Nyman said they advise students to find something they love doing first.

“If you don’t love it, you’re not going to want to do it on your off time,” Nyman said.

Eventually, Nyman said they would like to turn their side hustle into a full-time career. They said they hope to sell their jewelry through their own online shop one day.

2. GET CONNECTED Building a loyal clientele can be difficult when first starting a side hustle. However, students who take the initiative to showcase their brand or business to others can potentially score themselves a new client or customer along the way.

Falilat Orekoya, nutrition and foods junior, is a freelance hairstylist specializing in braids and twists.

Orekoya said she learned how to braid and twist hair in high school from her sister who worked as a professional hairstylist.

"When she would do my hair I would finish the ends and learned that way," Orekoya said. "Eventually I did it all myself and learned to do it on others."

Orekoya said she has grown her clientele by putting herself and her business out there. She said she encourages those interested in starting their own side hustle to open themselves up to others.

"Be open minded, feel free to approach people and don't be afraid to ask if they're interested," Orekoya said. "I'm typically not a talkative person, but I went out of my way to put myself out there."

Orekoya runs her side-business out of her apartment and schedules appointments on the weekends. She said the average appointment can last up to six hours.

Despite the long process, Orekoya said seeing her customer's reaction to the final result makes it all worthwhile.

3. BUILD A SUPPORT SYSTEM The idea of starting a side hustle can seem intimidating since success is not a guarantee. However, establishing a supportive and encouraging environment can make it easier to move past mistakes and work toward building

Syd Nyman, metalsmith senior, displays their handmade skull shaped earring, "Drop Jaw", Monday, Jan. 27, 2020 at Texas State. To purchase this piece or request a commissioned piece, contact Nyman on Instagram, @sidnyman_.

PHOTO BY BRIANNA BENITEZ

a prosperous business, brand and potentially a career.

William Ward, graduate student, is a costume designer. Ward currently focuses on creating costumes for Texas State productions but will work as a costume shop manager for Creede Repertory Theatre in Creede, Colorado this summer.

Before attending Texas State, Ward said they were unsure of pursuing a career in costume design because their experience was primarily in costume technician.

They said once coming to Texas State they were able to receive the nurturing and support they needed to realize their potential.

Ward said they have designed for several of the university's productions including "References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot" and "Little Women."

Ward said designing the costumes for "Little Women" was an eye-opening experience and allowed them to recognize that costume design is what they are destined to do.

When starting the design process for "Little Women" Ward said they felt overwhelmed and fearful due to how large the production was. However, once they sketched their ideas and presented them at design meetings they were able to see their vision come to life.

"When you see it all on stage you get this overwhelming feeling," Ward said. "It's enlightening and something about it just puts a smile on your face."

Ward said designing for Texas State productions has been an incredible and resume-building opportunity.

"For me, it isn't a matter of getting commission, but getting to build my resume in an environment where I can make mistakes," Ward said.

4. DEVELOP A SOCIAL PRESENCE With social media playing a dominant role in how businesses and brands connect with their consumers, it can be beneficial for students developing a side hustle to make their presence known on social media.

Addison Turner, psychology senior, is a self-taught freelance photographer. Turner said she began her side business in 2016.

Turner said she was gifted her first camera during her senior year of high school. At the time, Turner said photography was more of a hobby. It was not until a few years ago when she received her current camera that she felt motivated to start her own business.

Turner said she taught herself how to take and edit photos by watching tutorial videos online.

"I've watched a bunch of YouTube videos and really used social media as a resource," Turner said.

In addition to using social media as a learning tool, Turner said she uses her platforms to schedule photo

Addison Turner, psychology senior, takes photos, Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at Texas State University. To schedule a photo shoot with Turner, visit @addisonlynphotography on Instagram.

PHOTO BY BRIANNA BENITEZ

shoots with clients as well as advertise her business.

When it comes to developing a social presence, Turner said it is best for individuals to stay true to themselves and not worry too much about gaining followers.

"As long as you're yourself and as long as you're being genuine, I feel like the following will come naturally," Turner said.

5. JUST START After developing an idea for a side hustle, the task of putting those plans into action can be intimidating.

However, in order for a student's side hustle to be successful, they first have to start it.

Turner said when first starting her photography business, it was challenging for her to find her own unique style because she would compare her work to other photographers in the area.

"Around here, I wouldn't say it's competitive, but there's just a lot of photographers so it was challenging sticking to my style and being unique in that sense," Turner said.

At first, Turner said she would get caught up in thinking she needed the best equipment and expensive cameras to be successful. Eventually, Turner said she realized it was not about having the nicest equipment, but having the creativity to develop her own style.

"When I first started I feel like I had the ideas and now it's been cool to watch my editing improve and style change," Turner said.

Starting a side hustle can be more than an extra way for students to earn money. Depending on how much time and work is put into it, creating a side hustle has the potential to produce life-changing benefits and can lead students down career paths they never knew were possible.

MOVIE REVIEW

"Marriage Story" shows love through divorce

By Andrew Zimmel Life & Arts reporter Noah Baumbach’s "Marriage Story" is the rare movie that almost every single person who watches it can relate to, which is why it was the perfect 'Netflixto-award-show' movie that came out this season.

The film follows Nicole Barber (Scarlett Johansson) and her husband Charlie Barber (Adam Driver) as they go through a divorce that spans coast to coast. Charlie, a successful theater director in New York, has to travel to Los Angeles, where Nicole has started her new life as a television actor after being his star for the majority of their relationship. The story also incorporates what it’s like to be a child of divorce.

Not enough good things can be said

about "Marriage Story." From how it’s a film that can stir emotions from the last time you and your significant other fought, to the way Johansson and Driver work together to form undeniable chemistry on screen, to writer and director Baumbach’s way of showing that once you love someone you never truly stop loving them, but the love changes.

The film is a love story through the lens of divorce, something I had never seen done before.

In addition to the unique story, this movie is more re-watchable than any other. This movie is chalk full of clips that will get passed around social media and scenes that are hard to forget. The climax of the movie was one of the few that I had to re-watch multiple times to get the nuances fully, which works thanks to it being on Netflix.

This was the perfect film for Netflix (unlike Irishman, which feels like it should have been on AMC in five years).

It was bite size, it was a film you could share with your friends, parents or spouse and it had a good lesson that I think anyone young or old could get.

While I didn’t think this was Johansson’s best film (her portal in "Jojo Rabbit" edges it out), it was arguably her most successful role to date and a palate cleanser from her roles in superhero films. The same goes for Driver, who is coming off one of the biggest franchises in history. Both actors deservingly got Best Actor/Actress nominations for their

roles.

With nine films being nominated for Best Picture and only five for Best Director, it’s a real shame that Baumbach wasn’t able to get a nomination. The same goes for his longtime girlfriend Greta Gerwig (who directed "Little Women"), Taika Waititi (who directed "Jojo Rabbit") and James Mangold (who directed "Ford vs. Ferrari"). It’s difficult to sometimes distinguish between the best film and the film I enjoyed the most.

However, all the directors who weren’t nominated made films that I personally enjoyed more than their “Best Director” counterparts.

The University Star

Tuesday, February 4, 2020 | 5

OPINIONS

Laura Nunez Opinions Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

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

SAFETY

The Wildfire app is not for campus safety information

By Haley Schmidt Opinion Columnist The Wildfire app has been falsely advertising itself through student emails as a tool for staying updated on campus safety. Yet realistically, the app is littered with useless information that hides the relevant news students need regarding safety.

If students download and use the Wildfire app, then its purpose needs to be clarified.

It is essential to have a trustworthy source of information when it comes to campus safety. Students rely on the emails received from the school and the local San Marcos Police Department when looking for updates that range from any ongoing activities such as shootings, robberies and sexual assaults.

An app such as Wildfire holds potential to make this information more accessible

and timelier than these emails.

Wildfire is a newer app that was created in 2015 following a mugging that occurred to the founder, Hriday Kemburu, at the University of California Berkeley campus. He felt the need to have an outlet for students to immediately communicate emergency situations to those nearby. Since then, the app has gained momentum and attention from other news outlets praising it for its mission on helping students stay safe.

Considering the application is not in any way affiliated with the university, these emails should not be going to the students at all. Many universities that are coming across Wildfire have publicly stated that the app is not something they endorse. University police are not trained on this app and the information could very well be entirely false and create a myriad of issues.

The University of Oregon is taking

steps to limit public access to student information because they found that many inquiries on the app were counterproductive.

For example, students were asking for advice on how to successfully invest with bitcoin. Valid question but incorrect platform.

Wildfire’s main selling point on their website is safety, so when students download it that is the expected function. Yet, anyone within a specific area can post basically whatever they want, whenever they want. Jimmy Johnson, interim associate vice president for University of Texas Campus Safety and Security, even acknowledged there is nothing to validate the apps claim of promoting safety.

Wildfire also claims that they verify the content filtered out by allowing the user to moderate the community. The process seems like a good idea in theory, but anyone with the app knows it is

executed poorly. No one categorizes the importance of the comments posted in order to know the most pertinent alerts.

There should be no reason why the users should be simultaneously viewing alerts about gunshots going off in a nearby apartment complex side by side with someone who saw David Dobrik at the square.

Texas State needs to do a better job of filtering the content that is being emailed to students, or Wildfire needs to allow for the user to choose what information they would like to view and rebrand. Texas State students are assuming it is only for safety because that is misconstrued in the targeted promotional emails.

The Wildfire app has potential for being an essential tool for students maneuvering campus safety. However, until changes are made and the app hones a more consistent brand image, it is useless.

WOMEN'S HEALTH

Access to contraceptives is a human right

By Amira Van Leeuwen Assistant Opinion Editor Women’s reproductive rights are at risk, and if you think otherwise, think again.

For the past three years, the Trump Administration has bombarded the Supreme Court of the United States, with requests to review their contraception coverage requirements. This executive action is putting thousands of young female college students at risk of losing their human right to have access to contraceptive health care.

The Trump Administration is pushing to allow employers and universities to use their religious beliefs as a way to block employees’ and students’ access to birth control. The administration believes that requiring contraception coverage may impose a "substantial burden" on the exercise of religion. This can have extreme impacts on female college students.

A doctor’s personal religious beliefs should have no place being forced onto their patient(s). A pharmacy, doctor’s office or hospital is not a church. It is not a home to house a doctor’s religious beliefs, but a place of work to support those to be healthier.

More than 99% of women aged 1544 who have had sexual intercourse have used at least one contraceptive method. Judge Patty Shwartz said 70,000-126,000 women would lose contraceptive coverage if their employers invoked their “religious exemption.”

President Trump and his singleminded followers fail to understand just how costly birth control is without

insurance. The ungodly cost of contraceptives is commonly forgotten in these conversations of abolishing the ease of accessing it.

To give a slight perspective into the financial hassle of obtaining contraceptives, birth control pills are $20-50 per individual pack, with monthly purchases added up to a yearly sum of anywhere from $240-600.

The Depo-Provera shot totals around $240 per year and implants cost over $800 each. Not to mention the cost of contraceptive counseling appointments with a health provider who can prescribe them.

Preventive health care options are outrageously expensive and are unaffordable without useful health insurance. The Trump administration should have the decency of keeping this in mind as it aims to undermine a woman’s right to make choices about their reproductive health.

The claimed “religious exemption,” will directly affect women attending universities. In San Marcos alone, 40.3% of women live below the poverty line. This overwhelming percentage of female residents are at risk of having their contraceptive rights taken away. As a result, women will either refuse to buy their preferred contraceptive method or fall deeper into the rabbit hole of debt.

On a grand scale 58.6 million women ages 19-64 received their health insurance from their employers in 2018.

If SCOTUS decides to follow through with President Trump’s “religious exemption” many women and families would face detrimental financial consequences. Women going out of their

ILLUSTRATION BY REBECCA HARRELL

way to change physicians to avoid being turned away is not acceptable.

Trump makes it difficult for impoverished women to have access to birth control. While women in college struggle to pay for their classes, vehicles and apartments they will have no choice but to reconsider paying absurd amounts for contraceptives.

There is no purpose of having insurance when a person is prohibited

from using it.

Women on campus need to stand together and fight for their right to have complete access to insurance when it comes to purchasing contraception of any kind. No doctor should have the authority to tell a woman, much less anyone else, that they cannot have the medication they need due to their personal religious beliefs.

4 | Tuesday, February 4, 2020

The University Star

01/28 ANSWERS

The University Star

Tuesday, February 4, 2020 | 7

SPORTS

Claire Partain Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Bobcats sweep Louisiana teams in regular season

By Cade Andrews Sports Reporter The Texas State men's basketball team picked up two crucial victories this weekend at Strahan Coliseum moving up to third in the Sun Belt Conference, taking down the University of LouisianaMonroe 71-51 Thursday night before returning to Strahan Arena to beat the University of Louisiana-Lafayette 71-66 on Saturday.

Texas State has won six of their last seven games and moves to 14-9 overall and 7-5 in the Sun Belt.

The Bobcats capped off their successful weekend with a 71-66 win over ULL Saturday evening, completing a season sweep of the Louisiana schools.

After falling down 7-6 in the first couple of minutes, Texas State retook the lead 10-7 and went into the half with a 30-23 lead. The Bobcats never looked back and went up by as much as 16. The Cajuns started chipping away for a comeback in the final minutes but started their run too late as the 'Cats took the sweep.

Senior guard Nijal Pearson led the Bobcats with 17 points, while sophomore guard Alonzo Sule stepped up for the second time in the weekend as he scored 13 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Junior guard Shelby Adams rounded out the doubledigit scorers with 11 points.

The win came after a 71-51 late-game

victory over ULM Thursday night.

Texas State started off slow, falling down by as much as 10 in the first half. A 29-9 run at the 6:45 mark in the second half sparked a change for the Bobcats, who put together a strong second half and outscored the Warhawks 47-21.

The Bobcats shot 45.7% from the floor (16-of-35) and hit five 3-pointers in the second.

Adams held ULM’s junior guard Michael Ertel to four points in the second half after scoring 14 in the first and adding 12 points himself in the game. Sule had a team-high of 15 points and a game-high eight rebounds, while junior forward Isiah Small also added 10 points.

Head Coach Danny Kaspar said that the second-half surge was made possible by turnovers and a tight defense.

"I thought our defense the second half was outstanding," Kaspar said. "If you play really good defense, you'll score points. A lot of our turnovers turned into layups and we had more offensive possessions because of our defense."

Adams had a big weekend with two double-digit scoring games and a solid defensive performance. Pearson said Adams has always had a large impact on the team.

"I've always believed in Shelby," Pearson said. "His energy is contagious.

When he plays well, obviously we play well. You can see that from these past two games. None of this surprises me,

Texas State guard Colby Asberry, (2), attemps a dunk in a matchup against UTA, Thursday, January 30, 2020, at Strahan Arena.

PHOTO BY KATELYN LESTER

this is the same thing I've seen the past three years."

Adams said that his weekend performances went well due to his teammates and self-assurance.

"I just need to stay confident and stay in attack mode," Adams said. "My teammates have consistently talked to me and given me confidence. Along with all of that I just have to believe in myself, and it's been working."

The Bobcats will hit the road to face Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Thursday.

The 'Cats have won their past three games

against the Chanticleers, including a 7866 win earlier this season.

Coastal Carolina (12-11, 5-7) is currently ninth in the Sun Belt Conference and is coming off an 83-77 win against Arkansas State. When they faced the Bobcats Jan. 9, they were up 43-34 at the half but were outscored 4423 in the second.

The Bobcats will travel to Conway, South Carolina for their next game against Coastal Carolina Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Fourth quarter surge leads to first conference win

By Dedrick Johnson Sports Reporter The Bobcats snapped an eight-game losing streak and picked up their first conference win of the season for their annual Pink Game with a 72-55 home victory over the University of Texas at Arlington on Saturday.

The win brings the team 8-12 in the season and 1-8 in conference play.

The Bobcats righted the ship with a fourth-quarter surge, making a 19-1 run and 31-point explosion on 71% shooting in the final 10 minutes of play Head Coach Zenarae Antoine said that her team's passion and refusal to give up brought the 'Cats a home victory.

“Quitters never win and winners never quit, and this team has always had a winning finishing mentality,” Antoine said.

After a first quarter in their favor, Texas State began to lose control of the game in the second. UTA opened up with an 11-0 run to start the quarter, and the Bobcats couldn't get their first field goal past the Mavericks' 2-3 zone defense until the 4:35 mark of the second.

Even with their offensive struggles, Antoine said her halftime message was to lock in on defense.

“We needed to make sure that we were staying sound defensively and understand where they were getting their energy from,” Antoine said.

The team pulled it off and locked in defensively,

keeping UTA at 27% from the field in the second half.

Sophomore forward Da’Nasia Hood was on fire off a perfect 7-7 run from behind the arc and finished with a career-high 28 points.

Senior guard Brooke Holle also played with high intensity and managed a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Holle said she is very confident in her rebounding ability despite coming in at 5'7, a shorter height for many college athletes.

“Rebounding to me is a want," Holle said. "If I want it, then I'm going to go get it."

Sophomore guard Kennedy Taylor also played a huge role in the game by controlling the tempo and finishing with 8 points and 13 rebounds.

The Bobcats now have 9 more conference games and will look to carry this momentum into the next game against Coastal Carolina.

In their previous matchup, the Bobcats let a secondhalf lead slip away and ended up losing 75-67. The Chanticleers' DJ Williams exploded for 29 points in their previous matchup, so the Bobcats will have to be more consistent on both ends of the floor and be sure to finish strong just like they did Saturday in order to keep up their win streak.

The Bobcats will have the home advantage as they Texas State sophomore forward Da'Nasia Hood jumps around UTA senior forward Marie Benson to shoot and score for the take on Coastal Carolina at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 at Bobcats, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at Strahan Arena. Strahan Arena.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

SOFTBALL

Bobcat softball to play Olympic team

By Claire Partain & Andrew Zimmel Sports Editor & Reporter For the first time in program history, Bobcat softball will be playing against the U.S. Olympic Team in the NFCA Leadoff Classic that kicks off their season Friday-Sunday in Clearwater, Florida.

The ‘Cats will face off against the top team in the country on at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Junior infielder Tara Oltmann said the experience will be unforgettable as they face off against some of their childhood heroes.

"I think going against a bunch of people that you've grown up watching is cool," Oltmann said. "No matter the outcome, it's going to be something we always remember."

The game will also see Bobcat athletes go head-to-head against their own coach, assistant head coach, threetime Olympian and U.S. pitcher Cat Osterman.

Although they've faced her in practice,

senior infielder Hailey Mackay said that playing against Osterman will be a new perspective and a chance to see her hard work in action.

"I think since we've seen her work so hard to get to where she's at, to watch her do her thing, I mean, she's just the greatest competitor so it's just really cool to watch," Mackay said.

With experience against Osterman already under her belt, Head Coach Ricci Woodard said she knows exactly what to expect when they go head to head.

"I've been on the other side because when she was a Longhorn I was here," Woodard said. "I know she can make the ball dance so I understand what it's going to be like."

Osterman announced her leave from Texas State this season to train for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Paige McDuffee, a three-time Women’s College World series pitcher in her own right, quickly stepped up as interim pitching coach.

Head Coach Ricci Woodard said that

McDuffee has already stepped up to the plate as a volunteer coach and will be vital to the program.

I think Coach McDuffee's done a great job with our pitchers already," Woodard said. "I think it's been cool for our program to see somebody work like she has and to do what she's doing right now at her age especially."

The ‘Cats will begin play with tough opponents off the bat, including the Olympic team, Louisville, Auburn and Kentucky in their first tournament.

Other tough preconference opponents include Saint Louis, Minnesota, Illinois and Baylor.

Woodard said that she wants to challenge the team early to prepare them for Sun Belt competition.

"I think the Sun Belt's a tough conference," Woodard said. "I have a growth mindset that if we can get better every time we get out on the field, then we'll be playing our best ball in May, so that's what I want to be doing."

The Bobcats were recently picked at

fourth in conference in the preseason poll, but Woodard said they're more concerned with the outcome later in the season than anything else.

Preseason stuff doesn't really mean a whole lot to me as a coach, it's more about how you finish at the end of this," Woodard said. "I hope it gives us a little bit of motivation because that's not where we want to finish and that's not where we wanted to finish last year."

While some consistency will be seen from last year, the absence of certain players could add some uncertainty to this season.

On the mound, McDuffee will have the task of coaching this year's six pitchers, including two with starting experience from last season.

Starting pitcher Meagan King will return after a sophomore season with a 2.95 ERA and a Second Team All-Sun Belt nomination. As the ace on this team, a lot of the season will ride on her pitching in conference. Last season, a 10-3 conference run and a 2.51 ERA SEE SOFTBALL PAGE 8

The University Star

8 | Tuesday, February 4, 2020

SPORTS

Claire Partain Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

MAMBA

Kobe remembered by Bobcats

By Caleb Howell & Claire Partain Sports Reporter & Editor Thousands of basketball programs across the country were in the middle of their seasons as news of NBA giant Kobe Bryant's untimely death broke nationwide, causing many athletes to pay homage to the icon who impacted the game. The Texas State women's basketball team reflected on the "Mamba's" mentality, his impact on women's basketball and his legacy as a parent in the wake of their home win over the University of Texas- Arlington on Saturday.

Bryant, 41, his 13-year old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday, Jan. 26 near Calabasas, Calif en route to a youth basketball tournament.

Bryant was most well-known for his 20-year season with the Los Angeles Lakers that saw him reach the milestone of youngest player in the league to hit 30,000 career points. When he wasn't taking home three consecutive NBA Championships, infamously scoring 81 points against the Toronto Raptors or putting up shots in an empty gym, Bryant was a father to four daughters—Natalia, Capri, Bianka and the late Gianna.

As a parent herself, head coach Zenarae Antoine said she respects his dedication and sacrifices he made to raise his daughters.

"What I appreciate as a parent is that if he’s going to sacrifice anything, it was always sleep and that’s what he did," Antoine said. "He would go get his workout in and he would take the helicopter and get home to his family to take the kids to school (and) that was very important to him. He always said he’d sacrifice sleep (and) I think that’s just beautiful to see."

Bryant, a self-proclaimed "girl dad," was well-known for teaching his daughters the name of the game even when many expected him to want a son.

His support for his daughters prompted #girldad to trend on Twitter after his passing, a hashtag that Antoine said was impactful.

"For (Kobe) to be a father of four daughters and use the platform he has as a phenomenal player to step up for young women and teach the game, I think is something that’s unheard of," Antoine said. "To be able to do it in the

fashion that he did it and make everyone truly watch the women's game and appreciate it even more is something that I hope people carry on. Title IX has come a long way, but to have someone like Kobe Bryant start this movement is exciting and I really hope it continues to be understood that these young women work just as hard. Just because very few of us play above the rim doesn’t mean that the work, sweat and dedication behind closed doors doesn’t go into it and the student-athletes and I do appreciate it."

Kobe Bryant retired from professional basketball in 2016 and had since been working on many business ventures. He remained a prominent figure in sports, often acting as a mentor for world-class athletes. In his free time, he was seen attending home games for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. Bryant was also head coach of his daughters basketball team, teaching the game of basketball to many young players.

Sophomore forward Da'Nasia Hood said Bryant's biggest accomplishments weren't on the court, but in his work after his career.

"He was a great player, but what gets to me the most is what he started doing after his career and how he was able to start change using his platform," Hood said.

Bryant had an impact on not only the NBA and WBA, but a generation of aspiring athletes who were influenced by his groundbreaking 20-year career.

Bryant's mindset, dubbed the "Mamba Mentality," inspiring young athletes with a focus on tremendous hard work and inner strength.

Senior guard Brooke Holle said she brings mental toughness and confidence to the court through the Mamba Mentality.

"The Mamba Mentality is having confidence in yourself, no doubt in your soul that you're meant to be on that court and no one is better than you," Holle said. "You've got to go get it; I think he showed toughness and I try to emulate that."

Kobe Bryant's motor for success never waned, and his drive made him who he was. His death was felt worldwide as his legacy transcends basketball. Five championships, four beautiful daughters and one common love for the game.

Austin artists Laced and Found and Snuk One painted a mural honoring the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020 behind Sushi Hi, 2912 Guadalupe St., Austin.

PHOTO BY SONIA GARCIA

FROM PAGE 7 SOFTBALL was enough for the Bobcats to suffer an elimination by UTA in the Sun Belt Tournament, an upset that is sure to motivate the team this season.

The only other pitcher on the roster with starting experience is senior Dalilah Barrera, who recorded a 4.28 era last season. Sophomore Cassie Valdez also has just a few innings of experience under her belt. Some newcomers this season include sophomore Brooke Blackwell, freshman Tori McCann and redshirt freshman Natalia Reeves.

While the pitching staff remains unclear, the Bobcat infield is nearly entirely intact, making for a rare group of juniors and seniors who have had plenty of time to build chemistry. Junior ArieAnn Bell is projected to be back on first, senior Bailee Carter on second, PreSeason All-Conference player MacKay on third and Oltmann at shortstop. Add in sophomore catcher Caitlyn Rodgers, who got some playing time last season behind the plate, and an experience starting

roster is formed.

The outfield is led by the team’s batting leader Christina McDowell who is returning for her senior season after batting .361 last year, the best batting average since Kendall Wiley in 2015.

Joining McDowell is Texas A&M transfer Kylie George and Weatherford transfer Marisa Cruz along with sophomore Molly Damiani, who started 12 games for the Bobcats last season.

While there may be some uncertainty around the pitching rotation, the infield's four returning starters will be a safety net for the team. With a promising roster, a stacked schedule and a hopeful Osterman gold medal as the cherry on top, the Bobcats could be looking at another exciting season.

Texas State softball will don their cleats for the first time this season against South Alabama at 11 a.m. on Friday as part as the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida.