February 9, 2021

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TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2021 VOLUME 110 ISSUE 4

www.UniversityStar.com

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

Main Point: Students must vote for better representatives

'Adapt and overcome': Cheer team somersaults through pandemic changes

Pop-up shop celebrates life, legacy of San Marcos music legend

Texas State researchers identify cancer gene in laboratory fish

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LOVE

Valentine's Day 2021: How businesses are celebrating love, relationships By Andie Mau Life & Arts Contributor Chocolates, stuffed animals and roses have returned to the bank statements of San Marcos residents as the season of love kicks in. While spreading Valentine's Day love and joy comes with health risks this year, local businesses are exploring creative and safe ways to make it happen. Singles or couples can start their day by visiting Stellar Coffee Co., a local San Marcos coffee shop that offers a relaxing study environment along with Valentine's Day specials. "We are a place where a lot of new couples can have their first date," says Jamie Dehart, general manager at Stellar Coffee and Texas State women's psychology junior. "We're a big family back here...and we can

express that through our art." Stellar has released three specialty drinks for the month of February, including “Everything but the date,” a cold brew with frothy rose-flavored foam and crumbled Teddy Grahams on top, “Secret Admirer, ” a creamy red velvet latte with a mystery ingredient and “Stupid Cupid,” a sweet white chocolate drink with a dash of tart raspberry. "I'm a big art person. I like making very pretty drinks pleasing to the eye... it is nice to have this time of year where we can show that," Dehart says. "We all can [design a heart on drinks] back here and other people, myself included, can do other designs. It's mainly whatever we are feeling in the moment but, with our Valentine's Day drinks, we are focusing on hearts."

Floral designer Elizabeth Valdez arranges a Valentine's Day bouquet, Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, at The Floral Studio. PHOTO BY HANNAH THOMPSON

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MERMAID

ADMISSION

LA SIRENA DEL RIO Indigenous mermaid spreads joy, culture to children through river education

By Tatiana Torres News Contributor Texas State will petition the Board of Regents to extend its “test-optional” stance to the high school class of 2022, allowing students to decide whether to submit their SAT/ACT scores as part of their admissions packet. The COVID-19 pandemic severely limited the ability of College Board and ACT Inc. to distribute SAT and ACT exams to high school seniors looking to further their education. This intrusion potentially aided in motivating colleges and universities to reevaluate the hefty role admission tests play in determining who gets accepted into higher education. In March 2020, Texas State adopted a test-optional stance for 2021 admissions, meaning if applicants

By Brooklyn Solis Life & Arts Contributor With her long black hair, signature red lipstick and gold-gilled swimsuit tail, Jessica Mejía, better known as Sirena del Rio, the Indigenous Mermaid of the San Marcos River, is bringing the serene waters of the river to children in a virtual setting. Recognizing the socially-distanced reality some children are now accustomed to, Mejía, a Texas State alumna, hopes to alleviate mental health struggles of isolation by bringing back a sense of wonder to the children of San Marcos. “Children that struggle with mental health and even children that don’t struggle with mental health, when you’re cooped up all day long you need an outlet,” Mejía says. “So my idea is if they can’t go to the river I’ll bring the river to them.” Mejía says experiencing nature amid the pandemic, where social interaction has been minimal for some, is a great way to gain a sense of relief and tranquility. “The five minutes they can see the water, or the mermaid, or the trees and the birds, that’s still five minutes of nothingness, of being just present with the universe and just being at peace in the midst of all of the chaos,” Mejía says. Inspired by the television series "Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood," in Mejia's virtual storytime she enters as ‘Jess’, a certified master naturalist sharing facts about Hays County and its ecosystem. Once the children enter the magical land of the San Marcos River, Mejía transforms into the beautiful Sirena, sharing stories of her life obstacles and culture. As a Latina teen mom, Mejia struggled with mental health while working to make ends meet and balance

Texas State evaluates future of admissions tests

SEE ADMISSION PAGE 3 COVID-19

Jessica Mejía, pictured in her Sirena del Rio costume, sits by a mural of an Indigenous woman. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSICA MEJÍA

the pressures of both work and school. Now, Mejía is a proud 2009 graduate of Texas State, where her son, Air Force second Lt. Jonis Nava, would later follow and serve as Texas State’s ROTC wing commander.

“I think it’s important because it gives inspiration to children to go to college; it gives inspiration to moms to not give up and especially to our Latino community,” Mejía says.

SEE MERMAID PAGE 4 DECEMBER 3, 1971

BLACK STUDIES OFFERED AGAIN AFTER INITIAL DISAPPOINTMENT The Star reports three Black studies courses would be offered spring 1972 within the Departments of English and Government. "Literature of Black America," the English course offered fall 1971 which failed to "make" because of a lack of enrollment, will be offered again. Numbered 3331 in the catalog, the literature course was set to cover the full spectrum of genres - prose, poetry, novels, drama and essays in treating the heritage of Black people in America. "Politics of Ethnic Minorities and Majorities" and "Government and Politics of Africa" were also planned to be offered.

Texas State junior Christian Martinez studies while he maintains social distancing procedures, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, at Alkek Library. PHOTO BY JEFFREY HALFEN

Community reflects on first full semester during COVID-19 By Ricardo Delgado News Reporter Health officials in Hays County and at Texas State are reflecting on the lessons learned and challenges faced after the university's first full semester operating under COVID-19 protocols.

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