July 13,2021

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TUESDAY JULY 13, 2021 VOLUME 111 ISSUE 2

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

Local programs support student immigrants as state border tensions rise SEE PAGE 3

Tanger Outlets pollinates visitors with rooftop beekeeping program SEE PAGE 4

Opinion: Texas must consider partially joining the national electric grid SEE PAGE 6

www.UniversityStar.com

Brooks gears up for assistant women's tennis coach position SEE PAGE 7

ALUMNA HIGHLIGHT

JUSTICE

FINDING STRENGTH: Alumna discovers purpose in battle against breast cancer

By Sarah Hernandez Life & Arts Editor

Friends and family members of Jennifer Miller hold her portrait and stand by a sign outlining her death, Thursday, June 10, 2021, at San Marcos City Hall.

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS SMITH

REMEMBERING MILLER: A fight for police accountability

It was the morning of June 10, 2020, when Pamela Watts and Jennifer Miller took the day off from work with plans to have lunch with friends.

On their way home, Watts says their car was struck from the side by an oncoming car, leaving their car so severely crushed that only one person could be seen from inside their vehicle.

The incident was caused by off-duty officer Sgt. Ryan Hartman of the San Marcos Police Department, who failed to stop at the intersection of Texas 130 and Maple Street in Lockhart, Texas. Hartman was traveling 16 mph over the 30 mph speed limit and ran through two stop signs before crashing into the side of Miller and Watts' Honda Accord.

Miller died on the scene.

According to police reports and forensic evidence, it was later discovered that Hartman was driving while talking on the phone and did not attempt to break the vehicle during the collision. Inside his truck, there was also an open container of Dos Equis beer that was more than half empty.

Reports indicated Hartman refused to take a bloodalcohol test at the scene and denied he had consumed any alcohol. Though his blood was tested for alcohol about three hours later, it came back below the legal level of intoxication. Hartman was later reinstated to the police force and only charged with running a stop sign.

A year after the collision, Watts continues to seek justice.

In the moments following the crash, Watts was transported by air to the Ascension Seton Hayes hospital in Kyle, Texas, where she was treated for a traumatic brain injury. Directly after the crash, Watts says it didn't seem as though Hartman was concerned about her safety or Miller’s proximity to death. “[Jennifer] didn’t die right away. The accident happened at 4:14 p.m., and they say she died at 4:56 p.m., and he was sitting on the curb worrying what’s going to happen to him," Watts says. "You would think there might be some accountability, but he got a ticket for running a stop sign.

That’s what Jen’s life was worth, and I just can’t live with that."

The Lockhart Police Department investigated the case and recommended a charge of criminally negligent homicide. In the trial, a grand jury reviewed the charge, returning a no bill. Despite the recommendation, the jury

SEE JUSTICE PAGE 2

SEE ALUMNA HIGHLIGHT PAGE 5 CAMPUS HISTORY

By Arthur Fairchild News Contributor Editor's Note: Due to pending litigation, the San Marcos Police Department, Sgt. Ryan Hartman and San Marcos Chief of Police Stan Standridge declined to comment for this story.

Hours before she was scheduled to be in class, Arianna Apodaca began her trek to campus, pacing herself on the hills and stairs, bearing the effects cancer and chemotherapy had on her body.

Even after completing treatments, reconstructive surgeries left her unable to lift her arms, causing her to walk from class to class with only one backpack strap on her shoulder.

Apodaca first stepped foot on Texas State's campus as a freshman in 2017.

She was studying radiation therapy but had no idea that four years later, she would be graduating college as a two-time breast cancer survivor.

Just days before her 20th birthday, Apodaca was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma for the first time.

She dealt with the reality of her diagnosis away at college as her father lived in New York and her mother died when she was in high school.

Apodaca supported herself independently throughout college, by working and through funds raised on GoFundMe. She knew if she left school, there would be nowhere else for her to go.

Chief of Police Stan Standridge listens to Pamela Watts as she demands justice for Jennifer Miller, Thursday, June 10, 2021, at San Marcos City Hall.

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS SMITH

THE MOAT: A history behind Texas State's Theatre Center

By Payton Russell Managing Editor Stumbling down the steep slope outside the Undergraduate Academic Center, stopping for a breath and soaking in the view, students and visitors are met with the round, red

Pamela Watts holds a 24oz can of Dos Equis beer. An identical can was found on the night of the collision in the car of Sgt. Ryan Hartman.

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS SMITH A fountain flows, Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at the Texas State Theatre Center.

PHOTO BY BURKE BUNYARD

Pamela Watts speaks directly to local news stations about Miller's death, Thursday, June 10, 2021, at San Marcos City Hall.

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS SMITH

fortress surrounded by a wide moat — a castle-like home to the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Built in 1971, the Speech-Drama Center is located on the edge of campus, atop the remnants of a former federal fish hatchery. This hatchery led to the building's signature moat known for its wildlife and picturesque fountains.

"The Speech-Drama Center, you know, has always been a showplace because of its distinctive look, and the water. Everyone liked the water, everyone liked the moat," says Steven Beebe, a former professor and dean

SEE CAMPUS HISTORY PAGE 4

The University Star

2 | Tuesday, July 13, 2021

NEWS

Timia Cobb News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT JUSTICE

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

Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Brianna Benitez stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor: Payton Russell starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Timia Cobb starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Sarah Hernandez starlifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinion Editor: Valeria Torrealba staropinion@txstate.edu Sports Editor: Sumit Nagar starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Viviana Faz stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Hannah Thompson starmultimedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Eryka Thompson starengagement@txstate.edu Podcast Editor: Kim Davis Jr. starpodcast@txstate.edu

Public & Internal Relations Nadia Gonzales PIR Director starpr@txstate.edu

decided there was not enough evidence to convict Hartman. For about five months, Hartman received a paid leave of absence and is now back working for SMPD. Watts and many other San Marcos residents are calling for the immediate removal of Hartman from the police force. The group also questions the decisions of San Marcos Chief of Police Stan Standridge who, they claim, allowed for Hartman's return without a justified punishment.

“We think [Standridge] depended on the no bill and didn’t care about the laws that this officer broke when it should have been a terminating offense. When [Hartman] refused his sobriety, that alone should have been enough to get him terminated. The open container is a defiant violation, and, why else would he not submit to a sobriety test if he wasn’t drinking?”

Watts says.

Along with pushing for the removal of Hartman, Watts asks for systematic change regarding the criminal law system. She believes the San Marcos judicial system should allow victims to speak in a grand jury and limit the district attorney’s authority to present evidence without the supervision of an audience.

Mano Amiga, a local social justice organization, has worked with Watts since April 2020, when it first posted about the incident on social media. A few of Watts’ friends and other local activists reached out to Mano Amiga.

Within a few weeks, the collaboration began, and the group started pushing for police accountability across Hays County.

"It's crystal clear that there are perfect grounds for [Hartman's] dismissal," says Mano Amiga Co-founder Jordan Buckley. "We want clarity on why municipal leaders thought it was acceptable to keep such a hypocritical individual on the force."

Mano Amiga and Watts question the police reports that claim officers did not smell alcohol on Hartman's breath

at the scene, pointing to the fact the officers were wearing face masks at the time.

On the first anniversary of the crash, protestors, led by Watts, gathered at San Marcos City Hall, asking for retribution and justice for the death of her partner. During the protest, Standridge spoke with Watts, stating that he had no legal grounds to terminate Hartman.

According to Texas law and union contract, discipline must be issued within 180 days of an incident's occurrence. In this case, those 180 days aligned with Standridge's promotion to chief of police, leaving him with minimal time to act within the 180day timeframe.

“From the employment perspective, I have to go by the rule of law. The rule of law says I have 180 days as the chief administrator to effect discipline.

Those 180 days expired by the time I get here I learn that the grand jury has returned a no bill, so, by law as a civil service agency, you cannot terminate his employment," Standridge says while speaking to Watts at City Hall.

In response, Watts says she still believes action should have been taken, resting part of the blame on former interim Chief of Police Chase Stapp for his lack of leadership before the arrival of Standridge. She describes Standridge's arrival at the protest as “crashing Jen’s memorial.”

According to City Council member Maxfield Baker, Watts is yet another person who has been failed by the

Chief of Police Stan Standridge (right) departs the scene suddenly after ending conversation with Pamela Watts, Thursday, June 10, 2021, at San Marcos City Hall.

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS SMITH

judicial system, likely due to both the grand jury and the local police department.

Baker believes that off-duty police actions shouldn't be counted separate from when an officer is on duty.

“The things that I do outside of my City Council meetings qualify as my ability to be a successful leader. If I killed somebody in a similar fashion, I would have no doubt that I would expect to see calls for me to resign,” Baker says. “When we look at people in leadership positions, they need to lead 24/7.”

Not knowing what was to come in the days ahead, Miller spent the last two days of her life with Watts. The pair floated the river in tubes and went out to eat, sharing time and forming memories as life partners. When she looks back at the person Miller was, Watts says she remembers Miller's passion for gardening.

“I don’t know how many more plants she could have planted, but it was like every day was a trip to Home Depot or Lowe's to get dirt, and it has to be a specific kind. I didn’t even know they had so many kinds of dirt. If it was a cactus, it had to be cactus dirt, and it got down to me saying just tell me what color bag I’m looking for,” Watts says.

While recovering from her brain injury, Watts continues to protest for the termination of Hartman from SMPD, hoping to finally earn justice for Miller.

CAMPUS LIFE

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New Student Orientation returns to campus with one-day experience

By Destany Fuller News Contributor

After a completely virtual program last summer, incoming students had the option of attending in-person New Student Orientation sessions this past month or participating in an online program in July.

In-person NSO sessions began June 2 and ended on July 1, granting incoming students an opportunity to explore campus and engage in a traditional college orientation. The second round of sessions began the second week of July and will end on Aug. 25.

NSO traditionally consists of two days, including an overnight stay on campus. Although the in-person version was condensed into a one-day program, students who attended inperson sessions experienced a "choose your own adventure" version of orientation.

New student orientation leader Kent Kenyon tells his group, Group 16, a story Students who attended the in- about the proclaimed “Sun God” of Texas State, Dillon Scott, Wednesday, June person session participated in campus 19, 2019, near Alkek Library. tours, browsed student organizations STAR FILE PHOTO and attended informational sessions on various campus resources such as transportation and financial aid services.

Brandon Hatch, an applied mathematics sophomore and Incoming freshman Theo Wright says the information orientation leader, says in-person orientation this year was at this year's orientation, from both presentations and configured so every freshman had a chance to experience modules, was overwhelming. However, he still enjoyed the orientation while also staying safe and comfortable. opportunity to engage with peers in person.

"The first half was in-person, and then, the second half "It's good to know all of that stuff, but it's a lot at once," is online ... due to COVID, not many families are going to Wright says. "My favorite module was 'Dollars and $ense,' be feeling safe to go in-person," Hatch says. "Obviously, if because I'm an interactive learner. When the two ladies COVID is an issue, we're not going to want them spending were running the meeting, they were really cool, they got to the night in the residence hall because it's also a safety actually know us.” hazard.”

Students participating in the online version of NSO will Hatch adds measures were put in place to ensure visiting engage in activities reserved strictly for the virtual format, families and future students felt safe while being cautious of such as schedule building, PACE center appointments and COVID-19. online modules.

"There was a limit to how [many] people we'd put in a Each online orientation will last for a three-week period room, and then, we'd get bigger rooms if the presentations where students will participate in social events in addition kept exceeding those limits," Hatch says. "We offered masks to informational sessions. Hatch says orientation leaders at the front desk ... we just [wanted] them to feel safe and are trying to give online participants the most inclusive not have to worry about health concerns.” experience possible.

Despite the changes made to orientation, incoming "We're just trying to make it as, not seen as a burden as freshman Ethan Simmons says he feels he got the chance to sometimes people can feel it is," Hatch says. "Online is have the full experience. always going to feel a little less connected than in person, "I think that if we were to have just an online NSO, I but we're trying to make it as close to in-person as possible.” don't think I would've learned as much, so I'm really happy For more information on NSO and the online sessions, visit I was able to go in person this year," Simmons says. "I had a https://www.admissions.txstate.edu/admitted-students/nso.html really good time, I learned a lot, it was a lot of fun.”

The University Star

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 | 3

NEWS

Timia Cobb News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

IMMIGRATION

Local programs support student immigrants as state border tensions rise

By Madelyn Weirich News Contributor Michelle Sotolongo can easily recall the anxiety, uncertainty and emotions of feeling like an “other” that often fall upon undocumented students.

“When you have to go outside, when you have to interact, when you have to go to class and all you're hearing is, you know, the stuff from the news or what the governor is saying, it's literally demoralizing and dehumanizing,” Sotolongo says. “Basically, your whole existence is an issue for someone.”

As the coordinator for Texas State's Monarch Center, she connects immigrant students of varying legal statuses with support groups and legal help, working with a team of individuals to solve the unique problems these students may face.

"We're trying to streamline the communication flow, make sure it's consistent and accurate and confidential," Sotolongo says. "That all these interactions are as supportive as possible. So, going through me, I can listen to what their concerns are or what their needs are, and, then, maybe I have an answer, maybe I know somebody on campus who can facilitate a solution."

"And then try to help the students without them having to be bounced back and forth between different offices and have to retell their story and re-self-identify, if they're even comfortable doing that. And just to treat everything as sensitively as possible."

According to Texas State's immigration policy, immigrant students, including undocumented and DACA students are "valued members of the Texas State University community," and are provided confidentiality and support from the university. As the political climate surrounding immigration heats up, however, students are questioning the safety of their status on campus.

Over the past six months, Gov. Greg Abbott has doubled down his efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico border by declaring a State of Disaster, referring to immigrants as an “invasion,” claiming they are bringing COVID-19 into Texas and clearing out Texas jails to make room for undocumented immigrants.

According to Mano Amiga Co-founder Karen Munoz, this rhetoric is a fear tactic similar to those used in terrorism.

A group of students sit on the steps of Alkek Library and hold up signs with slogans such as, "#Defend DACA" and "Educated Unafraid Undocumented." The Attorney for Students (AFS) Office is located at LBJ Student Center 5-1.5.

STAR FILE PHOTO

“What they’re instilling is beyond fear,” Munoz says. “But, for undocumented people, the fear is not just incarceration. Incarceration means deportation, means family separation.”

Because incarceration for even small crimes often leads to major consequences for immigrants, especially for those who are undocumented, Mano Amiga and other advocacy groups have continued to advocate for a cite and divert program. If passed, this would allow low-level offenders to avoid jail time in return for community service, paying restitution or completing other services recommended by a defense attorney.

Sotolongo says cite and divert would greatly benefit student immigrants, as they are often held to a higher standard than their citizen peers.

“College students do things that college students do, and being an immigrant can have a completely different outcome from a citizen student when it comes to those things,” Sotolongo says.

The program has yet to be passed on the local level due to delays, despite local officials announcing its launch in July 2020.

Still, discouraging rhetoric that promotes criminalization is not the only issue immigrants and undocumented students face. For Javier Espinosa, an engineering junior, the most difficult aspect of his legal status is the financial strain that comes alongside it. Espinosa recalls the difficulty of paying for college while being unable to get a job or apply for most scholarships as he was not a permanent resident.

"I didn't know if I qualify for resident tuition, or

like out of state or international. And I was kind of freaking out. These [international] prices, they're crazy," Espinosa says. "I wouldn't have gone to Texas State at all."

Espinosa says attending the university came with masses of stress. Despite having lived in Texas for three years, he still had to pay non-resident international tuition, which is almost twice as much as U.S. resident tuition, standing at $41,400 a year while resident tuition rests at $26,620.

Some students who have emigrated from other countries find themselves facing similar financial strains as Espinosa, which makes focusing on their degrees a difficult task. Financial assistance for immigrant students, whether it be in the form of scholarships or emergency grants, is the Monarch Center’s most prominent need.

While the Monarch Center does not offer scholarships at the moment, it works with Career Services to assist immigrant students with job applications, resume building and communicating their legal statuses to employers.

Texas State's Student Community of Progressive Empowerment offers a grant to assist with DACA renewal fees and the Financial Aid and Scholarships department works to help immigrant students find aid. Mano Amiga also offers help with emergency legal fees related to immigration status.

For more information on resources for immigrant students, visit https://inclusion.txstate.edu/MonarchCenter.html..

ELECTRIC GRID

Community prepares for summer outages following ERCOT conservation warning

By Josue Rodriguez News Contributor

After enduring the freezing temperatures and blackouts of February's Winter Storm Uri, the San Marcos community braces for the possibility of yet another outage, this time accompanied by the Texas summer heat.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a warning on June 14 requesting Texans to conserve energy and reduce their electricity use.

ERCOT claimed the state's electricity grid was in tight conditions due to "record electricity use and generator outages" throughout Texas.

In its statement, ERCOT asked Texans to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, turn off lights and pool pumps and avoid using large appliances like ovens, washing machines and dryers.

As of July 6, there have been nearly 1,280 power generators that endured power outages this summer. Most outages occurred outside of ERCOT's energy conservation request period of June 14-18.

After experiencing rotating outages during Winter Storm Uri, San Marcos resident Gabriela Solis has become wary of electrical accessibility this summer.

During February's storm, melted snow flooded Solis' apartment, forcing her to evacuate and temporarily live with a friend who also lost power. Solis, like other local residents, faced the bonechilling temperatures with no power or heat to keep warm.

“After my apartment flooded, I spent that night with my friend that I was going to end up staying with for the month. We all slept on the same bed because we just didn't want to risk

getting too cold, and we figured the body heat would be good for all of us.

Same with my dog, she slept with us under the blankets, but she did not eat for a long time,” Solis says.

These rolling outages, according to a notice released by ERCOT on Feb. 14, were granted to ERCOT by the U.S. Secretary of Energy, who hoped to preserve the electric power system. After encountering February's outages, Solis is hesitant to trust ERCOT and worries how summer blackouts might affect low-income communities. “[The power outages] weren't really normally controlled. I heard that some skyscrapers in Austin had power the entire time, but lower-income communities didn't have power for like three days straight," Solis says. "I'm afraid something like that might happen again, which definitely wouldn't be fair, and, with these record high temperatures, I don’t think it'll be good."

February's power outages impacted not only citizens but local businesses too. Garcia’s Restaurant, located at 403 S. LBJ Drive, experienced various drawbacks from the power outages during the winter storm.

“The whole area was out of power for about a week. We had to throw away a lot of food from the refrigerators,” says Nicholas Crawford, a part-time manager for one of Garcia’s San Marcos locations.

After waiting a week for power to be restored, Crawford says only half of the restaurant's menu was available due to minimal produce in stock. Crawford adds it was difficult for employees to return to work as roads remained icy and homes were powerless. Despite these experiences in the spring, Crawford

is not worried about the possibility of summer power outages.

“We would probably still keep the business open. Snow and icy roads were a large reason for the store closing last time,” Crawford says.

To prepare for the possibility of another outage, Texas State made immediate efforts to limit energy usage following ERCOT's June warning.

Director of Utility Operations James Vollrath says the university sent an email advising the campus community to adjust thermostats, turn off lights and unplug devices.

The university currently uses $7 million to maintain its power operations.

Vollrath suggests the behavior of Texas State's energy consumers leads to energy conservation at the university. He adds Texas State continues to find ways to conserve energy every semester.

“We do have some building automation system controls that we're able to adjust on a more of a global perspective and adjust temperatures.

That's a bit more tedious and timeconsuming, but we started to do that.

In those days, in certain areas that we felt, you know, we can move it from 74 degrees inside to 76 or 78,” Vollrath says.

In the event of summer power outages, Vollrath says he is not worried about the university's ability to return power. With no icy roads preventing campus personnel from doing what is necessary to restore power, such as manual switching, he believes there will be a labor force readily available to assist.

San Marcos resident Kirsten Covington says they don't fully understand the reasoning for potential outages this summer. According to Covington, there have yet to be recordhigh Texas temperatures, thus planning for outages seems overboard.

“I don't think we've had any record high temperatures this summer, and I remember the drought in 2011 really well. I am from a family of farmers, and I remember how hot it was then,”

Covington says. "It’s Texas, every summer we're seeing degrees above 110. I mean that's not unusual, that's expected. I think it really speaks to [ERCOT's] lack of willingness to try and foresee the future."

Danger sign on electrical feeders, Friday, July 9, 2021, at Texas State University.

PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

While the warning was dismissed on June 18, the 2021 Summer Reliability Assessment conducted by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), indicated that regardless of conservation, power outages might be unavoidable in the state as extreme weather conditions can put the state at an "elevated risk.”

Following ERCOT's warning, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bills 2 and 3 into law on July 8, requiring improvements on generation, natural gas and transmission facilities to handle extreme weather conditions.

The bills also requires the Texas Railroad Commission and ERCOT to investigate these facilities. Any failure of improvement can lead to a $1 million fine.

A "Power Outage Alert" was also issued under the bill which will alert Texans whenever the supply of power does not meet the demand.

Despite a rise in concerns from the recent notices, ERCOT states the power grid has maintained stable conditions but warns it may call on consumers to reduce energy if and when there is another high risk to the system.

The University Star

4 | Tuesday, July 13, 2021

LIFE & ARTS

Sarah Hernandez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT CAMPUS HISTORY of the Department of Communication Studies. "It was just a very romantic, beautiful spot."

The fish hatchery was deeded to Texas State in 1965. It included 43 acres of land that provided the university with more acreage to build upon, and it gave architect Harvey P. Smith Jr. the golden opportunity to create something aesthetic and breathtaking.

Under his father's architectural firm, Harvey P. Smith and Associates, Smith Jr. came in with his design in the late 1960s, a time when the department needed a new space. Alumnus and former professor Tom Copeland was a student at the time and recalls his classes being in Old Main, a chapel turned auditorium, before they were moved to the Theatre Center.

"I was like, 'Oh my God. My high school theater, which was pretty crappy, was better than that,'" Copeland says. "But you know, [Old Main] was probably one of the most interesting places I've ever worked."

Copeland admired Old Main for the challenges it presented in creating theater, which forced him to adapt his style and choices to the unique and multi-purpose space. He says this reminded him of how he believes theater should be — adaptive and creative.

These creative challenges did not cease, however, when the department moved to its new building. In the Speech-Drama Center, Smith Jr.'s design, at times, proved difficult for the department. Copeland, for instance, found the building to have wasted space and unnecessary obstacles.

"There were many, many problems with that building, because instead of taking it from the perspective of what's good, you know, for theater, it was more about the way the building looked and all that stuff," Copeland says.

In particular, Copeland noticed the building's strange entrance — which is around the back of the circle. The scene shop for building sets is upstairs, causing a doubling effect — after unloading materials on floor one, they must be reloaded back up the elevator to reach the second floor.

Another main factor in its problematic design is the lack of windows. Until 1988, the departments of communications studies and theater shared space in the

still go on when the class is over, and I'm sure that's true of all teachers, but it's even more here," Copeland says.

"If you're directing a play, or you're technically doing something with it, or you're making a film or you're doing all these things, it's hours and hours and hours that go on long after classrooms."

Because of these hours of dedication, Texas State continues to build upon its theater department, as well. Since its origin, the building has undergone hundreds of renovations, funded by what College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean John Fleming sees as the school's recognition of the department's success.

"We feel very well supported in the arts. And, it's when I interview faculty, I can go through, 'Here's all the different things that the College of Fine Arts and Cattails sway in the breeze, Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at the Texas Communication has received in recent State Theatre Center. years,' and buildings and renovations PHOTO BY BURKE BUNYARD are a clear sign of investment and a clear sign that the fine arts have a priority," Fleming says. building, so when Beebe worked within are no windows in the building, except With these years of funding, its walls, he remembers wondering in the offices that are now on the second the department has finally started about the weather while hidden in his floor," Beebe says. renovations to the mainstage, a former office inside.

This design is reflective of the so- proscenium theater that has lived as a called "modern" take used in Smith Jr.'s make-shift theater in the round for “IT IS A BEAUTIFUL design of the building. In the '60s, this years. After this renovation, however, included experimentation in geometric Fleming believes the building's growth AND DISTINCTIVE design, leaving less room for design may reach its peak.

BUILDING ON THE practicality. Other examples of the '60s "The tough part is, we pretty much modern style can be seen in the design of finished renovating that building OUTSIDE, BUT, AS YOU Evans Auditorium and the Continuing because there's just no more square footage to do it," Fleming says.

KNOW FROM BEING IN Education Center.

At this point, information regarding Instead, the department will continue THE BUILDING, THESE Smith Jr. is scant. After his work at to expand with Live Oak Studios, a Texas State, he worked at the University new studio for film majors opening ARE NO WINDOWS IN of Texas at San Antonio to draft an for classes in fall 2022. But, even with THE BUILDING, EXCEPT archeological survey of Friedrich Park. this new building in sight, the Theatre A death record was posted in February Center will continue to house the IN THE OFFICES THAT 2019 for a man residing in San Antonio numerous theater majors, faculty and under the name of Harvey P. Smith. If former Bobcats, all of whom call the ARE NOW ON THE this man was Smith Jr., the architect moated-building home. responsible for the Theatre Center died "I still think that's one of the loveliest SECOND FLOOR." in 1993 at 75 years old. areas of campus with the beautiful -STEVEN BEEBE In his life and his time as a designer cypress trees in the water," Beebe says.

FORMER PROFESSPR AND for Texas State, Smith Jr.’s building "Now that I'm retired, I often take walks DEAN OF THE DEPARTMENT left an impression on many faculty every day, and I walk by the building and students. It has provided a space often, and I find myself still taking OF COMMINICATION for classes, creation and relationship pictures. Just last week, I took a picture STUDIES building, and, for many, it has been a of the building just because I think it's place where people have spent entire such a unique thing to build."

"It is a beautiful and distinctive days of their lives. building on the outside, but, as you "[Being a drama teacher] is not like know from being in the building, there being a coach or something, your hours

ENVIRONMENT

Tanger Outlets pollinates visitors with rooftop beehive and beekeeping program

By Sarah Hernandez Life & Arts Editor In an effort to teach San Marcos the importance of a sustainable environment and to spread awareness on the declining honeybee population, San Marcos Tanger Outlets has partnered with Alvéole, an urban beekeeping company, to install a honeybee colony on the rooftop of the mall.

The beehive was first installed in June when the outlet's concrete walls received an agricultural touch. Alvéole's program includes maintenance and hive management from an urban beekeeper, workshops aimed to help San Martians learn about bees and hives as well as honey harvested at the end of the season.

With its first workshop yet to be scheduled, Allison Murphy, marketing director for San Marcos Tanger Outlets, says she's excited for shoppers and

Kevin Kohli smiles next to the bee hive installation on top of the roof at Tanger Outlets San Marcos. According to Kohli, the colony of bees can be as large as 50,000 at peak season.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FOSSUM STUDIOS

Alvéole beekeeper Kevin Kohli sets up a bee hive installation on the roof of the Tanger Outlets in June 2021 in San Marcos.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FOSSUM STUDIOS

retailers to learn more about bees and the project's sustainability efforts.

"I've learned a lot more about bees than I ever thought I would," Murphy says. "And just in conversations with our tenants, as soon as we start explaining it to them, they get excited, too. So having

something that our tenants — and hopefully soon our shoppers — are all on board with is something we're super excited about."

Kevin Kohli, a Texas State alumnus and the Alvéole beekeeping team manager for Austin and Houston, says bees were selected as the main subject because, although bees are small, they are intensely connected with the environment. If bees are not doing well, everything else is soon to follow.

Through its educational workshops, Alvéole hopes to bring awareness to the rapid decline of bee populations throughout the U.S. and Texas.

"We like to think that it's the tip of the sphere that's going to spark larger change and eventually really kind of help redesign and redefine cities to make them less impactful and more beneficial to the environment," Kohli says. "Because, right now, cities have a

really large footprint. They consume far more than they produce, and we hope to kind of balance that out."

Since 2013, Alvéole has reimagined the traditional beekeeping model by installing rooftop beehives in urban cities across the world, from America to France. The company currently has 3,372 beehive installations throughout 21 cities.

The initial partnership between Tanger Outlets and Alvéole was launched at a Tanger Outlet in Canada.

Since then, Alvéole has partnered with Tanger locations across the U.S. and Texas, including in Austin, Dallas and Houston.

Murphy says the partnership came naturally, and the company is excited to see how the San Marcos community interacts with the program. "[Tanger Outlets San Marcos is committed] to environmental

responsibility and staying connected to our local community, so the partnership was just the perfect opportunity to do both," Murphy says.

Alvéole works with businesses, offices and other companies to bring full beekeeping services and provide education on the importance of honeybees and pollinators in a sustainable environment.

"Honeybees are a really docile variety of insect," says Michelle Winter, the Alvéole beekeeping team manager for Dallas. "It's super easy to bring that hive into a city and show it to people and get them thinking about pollinators in a different way and all of the living things around them in their city and what they can do to maybe be taking better care of their surroundings."

At the peak of the season, the bee colony can be as large as 50,000 bees.

Currently, the San Marcos colony consists of 9,000 bees. Through MyHive, participating communities can view their local bee colonies and receive updates on the colonies' size as well as the daily flight range of bees. Kohli also posts updates of his visits to the hive on the site.

"If we could boil it down to one sentence, it would be we want to make people fall in love with bees," Kohli says. "Because, if we can get them to fall in love with bees, then we can change their sense of responsibility towards the environment around them."

The beehive roof installation at Tanger Outlets will stay up year-round.

For more information about Alvéole, visit its website at https://www.alveole. buzz. To see updates on the Tanger Outlets San Marcos' beehive, visit https://myhive. alveole.buzz/tanger-factory-outlet-sanmarco.

For updates on upcoming workshops with Kevin Kohli, visit the Tanger Outlets San Marcos’ Facebook page.

The University Star

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 | 5

LIFE & ARTS

Sarah Hernandez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT ALUMNA HIGHLIGHT "I just always had that mentality. The world doesn't wait for you," Apodaca says. "And so, I just kept working and pushing through."

After her diagnosis, her degree in radiation therapy took on an entirely new meaning. For Apodaca, her diagnosis was something deep and concrete she could connect to with her patients, making her more invested and empatheic to their experiences.

"At first, you know, it's like, 'Why me?,’" Apodaca says. "But when I actually started going through my clinical rotations, it changed, like a lot.

Like, you could do all the research in the world and read all these books and stuff, but you really don't know what it feels like to be that person that's being treated. When my patients cry, I cry right with them. I'm like, 'I know exactly how you feel.'"

Apodaca stayed in school throughout her treatment. During her first journey with cancer, she underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy. She recalls the first four rounds, known as the "Red Devil," often leaving her tired and unable to get out of bed.

Apodaca's sisters took turns accompanying her to doctor's appointments, but they did not live together. Although she didn't have relatives nearby at all times, Apodaca found comfort knowing she could depend on one of her best friends and roommate, Deyonne Bonner.

Whether it was helping her get dressed or cleaning their apartment, Bonner never thought twice about helping Apodaca.

"Honestly, it kind of made me feel happy that I was able to help her because strong people don't depend on other people a lot, so the fact that I could be there to help her made me happy because that's one of my best friends," Bonner says.

For those closest to Apodaca, like Bonner and Stearling Gale, her older sister, witnessing her continue to focus on academics throughout her diagnosis reassured them that she was doing okay.

"School is something that Arianna has always been dedicated to," Gale says. "She's been a straight-A student her entire life. That was something that let me know it was going to be okay.

Even if [school] wasn't a distraction, I was thankful she had it because it's something she cares about."

In her initial journey, Apodaca struggled not only with pain and

weakness but with the loss of her signature features. For Apodaca, the hardest part was losing her hair.

Before losing it, Gale says Apodaca's hair was one of the key physical traits people noticed when they first met her

Throughout the pandemic, Apodaca stayed busy working at H-E-B and attending classes. As before, staying occupied helped keep her mind busy and emotions strong. In fall 2020, Apodaca began clinical rotations at the same

"Like people that weren't eating before, now they're eating, people that were crying every day, they're happy. I've just, I've seen my story change other cancer survivors' lives. So, it just makes me even more passionate about my field and the work that I do."

Besides maintaining good grades throughout college and her cancer journey, Apodaca stayed active on campus where she served as vice president for the Pre-Radiation Therapy Organization and as the social media coordinator for the Be the Match bone marrow drive, where she signed up people of color like her to donate marrow and save lives.

Bonner says she couldn't feel prouder of Apodaca for coming out on the other side of her cancer journey with all of her incredible accomplishments.

"I've pretty much known her all throughout college, so just seeing her from where we were to now, she's so much more of a stronger person," Bonner says. "It's like, she's a little bit more determined. She honestly makes me feel like I can do anything because she's shown me that she can do anything despite what she's gone through. Whatever she wants, she gets."

Apodaca has similarly inspired her oldest sister, Keyessense Cox, who is incredibly proud of the person Apodaca has become. Apodaca graduated in May 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Arianna Apodaca smiles for a graduation photo wearing a sweater radiation therapy and is the recipient of that says "Radiation Therapist." the LBJ Outstanding Senior Award.

"I feel like she deserves [the PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIANNA APODACA recognition]," Cox says. "I feel like it's a good confidence booster for her, sister. It was devastating to watch her doctor's office where she simultaneously especially going through all of this sister lose all of it. received chemotherapy. where she felt kind of alone at times."

"Arianna's hair was one of those "I got put at my doctor's office for With a degree under her belt and [physical traits]. She was known for her my clinical rotation, so I would treat lifetimes of growth, Apodaca plans curls, her afro, the way her curls were patients all day, and then, whatever days to pursue a doctorate in osteopathic a unique texture," Gale says. "It was I had chemo, I'd just walk to the back, medicine, and, in the future, open her something she identified with her whole get chemo. And then hurry up and try own oncology site. She wants to provide life. It was a part of who she was." to recover over the weekend, so I could a combination of cancer treatment and Gale says her hair loss brought out be back the next week," Apodaca says. holistic treatment, helping those, like negativity in her sister that was unlike During her rotations, she connected herself, who needed the specialized Apodaca's creative and authentic with other cancer patients, giving her treatment. persona, but she knew her sister would career path a new meaning.

"I feel like this is where she's supposed grow past it.

Apodaca has been cancer-free since to be," Cox says. "Everyone has their By the end of September 2019, January 2021. She says although many niche and their purpose, and I feel like Apodaca was cancer-free. Her hair was people see a second cancer diagnosis as this is her purpose and it's just so great growing back, and she had maintained tragic, she's glad it happened the way it to see her do what she's destined to do. a high GPA and Dean's List recognition did because it made her stronger. Now, I'm just excited to see what's in store for in school. She was in remission for she's able to connect with her patients her." eight months, until May 2020, when on a new level and let them know they she was diagnosed with invasive ductal can handle whatever life throws at them. carcinoma again in the same breast as "I've literally seen the patient's before. attitude shift, like major," Apodaca says.

FOOD

Hawaiian Bros brings ohana values to San Marcos

By Brooklyn Solis Life & Arts Reporter By sharing the savory taste of traditional Hawaiian foods and creating a welcoming place to enjoy meals, Hawaiian Bros is spreading the aloha spirit to the San Marcos community with its recent location near Aquarena Springs.

Before opening the restaurant's first location in 2018, founders Cameron and Tyler McNie soared out to Hawaii where they learned local recipes and traditional island cooking techniques.

“The flavors are different,” says Hawaiian Bros President Scott Ford.

“They’re uniquely Hawaiian; They date back to the 1850s, the concept of the Hawaiian plate lunch. The workers on the pineapple [and] sugar plantations would come together and have lunch, and they would share from the different cultures, and it melted together to create this cuisine.”

Hawaiian Bros' menu consists of staple Hawaiian food, with protein options ranging from its signature Huli Huli Chicken to the sweet and spicy Kilauea Chicken. Side dishes include white rice, pineapple and macaroni salad. For a post-lunch treat, customers can indulge in a tropical Dole Soft Serve.

With various restaurant locations across the nation, Hawaiian Bros continues to grow its name while introducing traditional Hawaiian meals and customs to Texas communities. For the past month, Ford says the franchise established new locations every week in cities along I-35.

“We found a number of really quality sites in both the Dallas and Fort Worth area and then the south of Austin,” Ford says. “And now Kyle and San Marcos, with us being in Austin and making plans to go to San Antonio, it made

perfect sense. We also have a site planned in Waco, so we’re just covering that I-35 corridor, down through [Dallas-Fort Worth] to Austin and San Antonio.”

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill opened its first location in 2018.

With locations now across the country, one location recently opened in San Marcos at 1439 N Interstate 35 PHOTO BY HANNAH THOMPSON

Ford says San Marcos was the perfect town for a new location. Since the location's grand opening last month, Ford says the Texas State community has taken a great liking to the Hawaiianstyle restaurant.

“We really like San Marcos. With the university there and the response that we have in our other university locations, consumers respond well with our brand,” Ford says. “They like the concept, they like the food, they like the portions and the price value. So we were excited to be that close to the university, and the highway access was just another benefit.”

The grand opening in June attracted hundreds of local customers who wanted to take a shot at a chance to receive free food. Since then, although the large crowds are gone, the dining room and drive-thru have stayed busy.

Jayson Dudley, general manager at

Hawaiian Bros San Marcos, says he has enjoyed working with everyone and is glad to see the community's support.

"We've been having a lot of people come through, still," Dudley, a finance junior, says. "It's slowed down a little bit after, like, whenever we're giving away free food, obviously. But it's been really cool. It seems like the community likes it a lot, and I'm glad to be here."

Just as each Hawaiian Bros employee should feel welcome, Ford says he hopes customers can feel the same way when they visit the restaurant. He says the restaurant hopes to win over the hearts of San Marcos and Texas State with its ohana-oriented values, values that are centered on community, connection and food.

“Nothing is more important than doing what is right for our families,” Ford says. “Our number one priority is to make sure our employees are in the best possible position to provide for their loved ones and achieve the proper work-life balance, it’s something we take very seriously.”

For employee Josh Emmanuel, a psychology sophomore, the ohana value plays a big role in his relationship with his co-workers and their determination to get work done.

“The ohana part is real,” Emmanuel says. “You know, we're all like a little family back there. You know, everybody's cool. There's not really friction between anybody, we all pretty much talk to each other and communicate with each other.

So, the environment, as I said, is great.”

Along with sharing the Hawaiian spirit through its food and friendly nature, Hawaiian Bros radiates the relaxed, tropical aura of the islands throughout the building.

“You get a pretty good island vibe when you come in,” Ford says. “We’re laid back in how we are uniformed, and

how we allow our employees to relax and dress comfortably. We play the standard island music throughout the restaurant, and [there are] fun colors [throughout] the building. The style is both modern and sleek but also has a relaxed vibe to it. On the side of the building, we have a little representative map that’s illuminated of all the islands. We just want to continue to let people explore and learn a little more about the brand.”

Dudley says the laid-back ambiance of Hawaiian Bros is his favorite part of the job.

“I love the food, and I just really like the Hawaiian vibe that they give,” Dudley says. “I love how they have pineapple paintings on the walls and [are] always playing Hawaiian music.

They give us a few Hawaiian shirts that are cool, and it's just super relaxed.

Management is really chill, and they just kind of let everybody do their own thing.”

With the San Marcos location operating for a month now, Hawaiian Bros is excited to get connected with the Bobcat community and looks forward to attending football games this fall.

“We certainly want to continue to grow and engage in San Marcos,” Ford says. “We are excited for when the students come back to school and to see everyone’s return to the first football game, and how everyone comes out to the stadium. All of that is very exciting, because of our location and the proximity to the university and stadium.”

Hawaiian Bros' San Marcos location is located at 1439 N Interstate 35. To learn more about Hawaiian Bros and its menu, visit https://hawaiianbros.com.

Sarah Hernandez contributed to this story.

The University Star

6 | Tuesday,July 13, 2021

OPINIONS

Valeria Torrealba Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

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.

NATIONAL GRID

Opinion: Texas must consider partially joining the national electric grid

By Valeria Torrealba Opinion Editor Earlier this year, Texans across the state got several warnings for a winter storm that most anticipated to be a fluke.

Instead, grueling days of power outages, burst pipes, no running water and thousands of residents struggling to keep their freezing houses warm ensued — some even died in the process. Dire conditions led to the loss of the lives of a myriad of Texans as Winter Storm Uri swept the state.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) ensured Texans that power outages would be resolved quickly. However, as major cities like San Antonio’s downtown stood brightly lit, hundreds of people huddled closely for a minute of warmth.

Texans would later learn the state’s grid was overworked which led to power outages and conservation warnings throughout the freeze, this left the system just minutes away from causing a total statewide blackout that would leave us without power for weeks.

Months after the devastating event, ERCOT issued a statement pleading with Texans to watch their energy consumption levels during the hottest projected week of the summer — a week that is no stranger to native Texans.

Coupled with February’s incident, it is clear that Texas cannot feasibly and reasonably sustain itself alone without receiving help from the nation.

Texas must join the national grid, with an emergency connection, in order to ensure people do not die from power

outages and to promote stable living amid the climate change crisis.

Instead of spending time inflicting continuous regulations upon women’s bodies, barring children in school from learning about the brutalities that America imposed on people of color, invalidating the human rights of transgender people and cracking down on immigrants, the Texas Legislature must address and face the failures of its own electrical grid.

Joining the national grid is not an easy task, money would have to be allocated to engineers and project managers so we could interconnect the system to the national grid, but it is a feasible project that can help Texans save money on electricity bills and create jobs.

In order to avoid another catastrophic event in which millions are left without power and resources, Texas must allocate the money to connect to the national ILLUSTRATION BY VALERIA TORREALBA grid. Profit should never supersede human lives and comfort, and, during cater to customers with low prices and a time where climate change is clearly lucrative services, it has instead failed showing its effects upon the planet, these to provide the necessary stability to its necessities are of utmost importance. customers. Furthermore, five of the 15 Texas is the only state in the nation to total board members do not reside in not be linked to the national power grid, Texas, meaning that they, ultimately, do solely due to its fundamental business not suffer any consequences of a grid model: profit and lack of federal failure. regulation. Created in 1970, ERCOT It is clear that ERCOT and Texas’ sought to deliver electricity at low prices profit-driven incentives regarding to its consumer. However, this 1970 electricity, as well as the lack of federal business model has, at this point, failed regulations, have caused undue — people were left in February with devastation and avoidable events. absurd electricity bills as a result of the Although Texas draws astronomical storm. amounts of power, the grid must be Although ERCOT was created to improved, and an emergency line must

be established in order to help Texans during a crisis.

With the reality of climate change looming overhead, Texas must rethink its profit model and ensure that Texans across the state have a stable and reliable electricity source.

It is time that Texas considers asking for help, in exchange for peace and stability among its residents.

- Valeria Torrealba is a public relations senior

San Marcos resident Julia Gros rollerskates before the Summer in the Park concert begins, Thursday, July 8, 2021, at San Marcos Plaza Park.

PHOTO BY BURKE BUNYARD

Wezmer band members Adrian Perez (left) and Rachel Ditzig play guitar and sing, Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Ragnar's on the Compound.

PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

Dead Traffic plays a show, Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Ragnar's on the Compound.

PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

Dead Traffic plays a show, Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Ragnar's on the Compound.

PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

The University Star

Tuesday,July 13, 2021 | 7

SPORTS

Sumit Nagar Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

WOMEN'S TENNIS

Brooks gears up for assistant women's tennis coach position

Texas State Assistant Tennis Coach Kendall Brooks shares a handshake with her players at Bobcat Tennis Complex.

By Sumit Nagar Sports Editor After serving as a volunteer coach for a year, Kendall Brooks prepares to drive Texas State's Division I women's tennis program as its 2021-22 assistant head coach.

Before Brooks arrived at Texas State, she spent seven years as the head women’s tennis coach of Division II St. Edwards University, sporting a 96-50 career record. In 2019, she led the team to play a Heartland Conference Regular Season Championship, secured an appearance at the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 and earned the school’s highest national ranking at No. 16.

In 2020, the team had a 6-1 record before the remainder of the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the program’s competitive success, on April 15, 2020, St. Edwards discontinued women’s tennis, along with five other sports, citing financial restraints brought on by the pandemic. This left Brooks jobless.

"It felt terrible," Brooks says. "It was rough; it was really hard. Obviously, it had nothing to do with the success or the non-success of the program. It was all a financial decision made by the university. To have come off the best year we ever had ... it was heartbreaking.

I was heartbroken for my team, the alumni that now, technically, have no home."

Having coached at St. Edwards since 2013, it was difficult for Brooks to adjust to life jobless. Trying to find a job during the early months of the pandemic proved even harder.

"It was a tough transition at a difficult time, to lose my job and, more importantly, the program I had worked so hard to build," Brooks says. "We had really made ourselves a Division II powerhouse ... It was a weird time during [COVID-19]. There weren't a lot of job opportunities right away ... Luckily, I was able to take some time to figure out what the next move would be."

During that time, Brooks earned income by offering private tennis lessons. However, those lessons did not fulfill her the same way coaching did. She often found herself at home, taking care of her infant son while also enduring financial struggles.

"That was a dark time," Brooks says. "I'm used to being really busy and really involved, and this is the prime part of our season. It was really hard for me because I need to feel a part of something, so I was floundering for a bit ... It was a hard couple of months just not really knowing what was gonna happen …

We had just sold our house and were in the process of

PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE ATHLETICS

buying a new one, so we were kind of homeless for a while. It was a tough couple of months, for sure, but we were able to make it through.”

In hopes of continuing her career coaching college tennis, she called Texas State Head Coach Tory Plunkett, who Brooks had known since 2006 when she was an assistant coach at Texas Tech. Although Texas State's assistant coach spot was filled at the time, Plunkett offered Brooks an unpaid, volunteer position.

“I reached out to her and said, ‘Look, I wanna be involved,’” Brooks said. “‘I’m not sure what’s gonna happen, but I’d love to help and just stay in college tennis.’ She said, ‘Sure. Come on out,’ and really welcomed me with open arms and trusted me … It was really humbling for her to take me in an insane time.”

On Sept. 10, 2020, Texas State announced Brooks would come on board as a volunteer coach. Even though the position was unpaid, she felt fortunate to be on a team where she could build new relationships.

“Being a part of something just grounds you, a little bit,” Brooks says. “I’m just used to having those relationships and interactions with people on a daily basis ... It was nice to just connect with people and interact with the team and the coaching staff ... It was definitely a perfect opportunity.”

Senior tennis player Rishona Lewis is grateful for Brooks’ easy-going approach, which has fostered a comfortable coach-player relationship throughout the team.

“I talk to her literally about everything whether we’re off the court or on the court,” Lewis says. “I think the girls on the team feel like she’s approachable. She’s not gonna judge them for whatever they may be dealing with.”

The level of comfort Brooks creates with the team also translates into her coaching style, being able to lighten the mood even during the heat of competition.

“If I feel like I’m not playing well, or if I’m struggling a bit, she’ll come on court and either crack a joke or say something funny just to get my mind off of everything,” Lewis says. “It’s really easy to get into a

mood and just kind of have tunnel vision. Whenever she comes on the court, it just lifts the mood, a little bit.”

The Bobcats finished the 2020-21 season 6-13 overall and 1-7 in the Sun Belt. At the end of the season, the former assistant coach stepped down, opening up the spot for new applicants. This left Brooks as the natural choice for the promotion, which she officially received on June 7.

For the majority of her career, Plunkett has been the lone figure of authority, with only three assistants in her almost 18 years as head coach. Going into her 19th season, she believes adding Brooks to the team will ensure good leadership and create a welcoming environment for players. “[Brooks] brings a lot more solitude, a lot more positivity,” Plunkett says. “That brings a lot more confidence within the players. She’s closer in age to the players and can get to know them a lot easier ...

They look at her more as an older sister, where I’m the mother or the grandmother … Coach Brooks took a lot of that responsibility and allowed me to be a better coach. It allowed the players to be better players.”

Plunkett plans to retire in the near future. Although she aims to coach side-by-side with Brooks this upcoming season, she believes Brooks’ recruitment connections, as well as her connection with the team, makes her a viable candidate for the head coach job.

“She has a lot of recruiting connections here in the United States,” Plunkett says. “That exposure just doubled, so that’s awesome for the program … The Texas State tennis program is very, very, very fortunate to have Coach Brooks ... I think that’s gonna provide a great opportunity for the tennis program to be very, very, very successful this year and in the future.”

If the opportunity presents itself, Brooks says she would want to step up as the team's next head coach, making Texas State home.

“I could see myself calling Texas State home for a long time, if it worked out that way,” Brooks says.

NCAA ELIGIBILITY

Senior athletes celebrate NCAA eligibility extension

By Carter Bordwell Sports Contributor After an athletic season filled with game cancellations, postponements and forfeitures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA extended eligibility to all Division I spring and winter athletes, providing senior athletes an opportunity to continue their athletic careers.

This extension of eligibility provided a sense of relief to senior football linebacker Markeveon Coleman as he would get one more opportunity to improve his performance on the field.

"I finally get to do this right," Coleman says. "With this extra year, I can finally put it all together from the past years that I've been here ... That was a pretty big plus for me."

Coleman believes and accepts that his football career will eventually end, however, he plans to use this extra time to network with professionals at Texas State who can help him in his career outside of football.

“Ball might not always last forever," Coleman says. "Building bonds with people. Stepping into different stuff and introducing myself to other people and networking with some other folks outside of ball. That was something good about it."

The additional year also allows athletes to continue their academic careers, aiming to finish out their credit hours and earn their respective degrees. Senior volleyball setter Brooke Johnson needs six credit hours to graduate which, although a reduced class load compared to her prior semesters, will allow her to place a greater focus on volleyball.

"In the past, it's very hectic having to have that time management of balancing academics and volleyball," Johnson says. "I'm really excited that I get to play another year but also have it lift the class load off my back."

Texas State senior linebacker Markeveon Coleman (7) holds up the football after recovering a fumble from Arkansas State as players celebrate, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium.

Texas State won 47-45.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

Johnson, who has played on Texas State's volleyball team for the past four years, along with senior middle blocker Tyeranee Scott has witnessed the program's three straight wins at the Sun Belt Conference Championships along with its back-to-back appearances at the NCAA Tournament. Both players want to use this additional season to continue the team's success.

“It doesn't get easier, but I feel like we have been working so hard, especially this month," Scott says. "We've been getting in the gym, whenever we're lifting, we are just improving in all areas.

I feel like getting a fourth ring will be challenging, yes, but I think we would be able to do it.”

Unlike Scott, Coleman has not experienced this same success during his

“I WANT TO HELP TEXAS STATE WIN. THIS IS MY LAST YEAR, AND I CAME HERE TO PUT TEXAS STATE ON TOP, AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO. -MARKEVEON COLEMAN SENIOR FOOTBALL LINEBACKER

time at Texas State. Since joining the football team as a redshirt in 2016, the team has faced a 12-48 record. Coleman wants to use the extra season to help the team rewrite its fortune, hopefully scoring a winning record.

“I want to help Texas State win," Coleman says. "This is my last year, and I came here to put Texas State on top, and that's what I want to do. [The extended eligibility will] give me an opportunity to do that."

The additional season also allows seniors to be around their respective teams, giving them a chance to improve their leadership abilities.

When senior football wide receiver Caleb Twyford first heard of the extra year of eligibility, he immediately looked forward to the opportunity to pass on his knowledge to the team's underclassmen.

“I was excited, I was gonna keep chilling with my teammates and keep working out with them, keep getting better with them," Twyford says. "I feel like we all learn something from each other. Me being a senior, I feel like I can teach them some things."

Similarly, Johnson wants to use her experience on the volleyball team to lead newcomers, making sure to teach her team through positive actions.

"I feel like I've always had a presence," Johnson says. "Being a competitor, I feel like I can just lead by example and be a good role model for the team.

For Scott, it would have been tough to leave her teammates behind after last year's successful season but is excited for the eligibility extension where she aims to use the time to improve her sport and further build team relationships.

“I was very excited for the extra year because we have made relationships with a lot of the girls on our team, and I just couldn't imagine leaving them,” Scott says.

8 | Tuesday,July 13,, 2021

The University Star