4/12/2022

TUESDAY

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

VOLUME 111 ISSUE 26 www.UniversityStar.com

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

Texas State highlights Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Student organization preserves San Marcos environment for over 20 years

Opinion: Getting out of your comfort zone is essential for personal growth

Star Snaps: Campus Life

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LOCAL ART

Martian Arts Fest invades San Marcos

By Brianna Chavez Life and Arts Contributor

Just on the outskirts of San Marcos, tucked away by a gravel path on Lime Kiln Road, the sounds of strumming guitars, funky beats and the roars and raves of festival-goers fill the air. It may seem out of the ordinary, but it is just another out-of-this-world experience at the Martian Arts Festival.

The Martian Arts Festival is an arts and entertainment event that takes place from April 15-16 at Thigh High Gardens, a permaculture design-based farm right outside of San Marcos. This is the festival’s fifth year returning and the first year at Thigh High Gardens.

“Thigh High Gardens has hosted many concerts and festivals over the

year, including the Hill Country Folk Festival for the past seven years,” Michael Howard, a director for Apogee Presents, said. "So it's a pretty ingrained, nice venue in town."

Apogee Presents is a turnkey production and event coordinated company based in San Marcos and the masterminds behind the Martian Arts Festival. The team helps put on o t h e r ILLUSTRATION BY STAFF

events such as the Pecan Street Festival in Austin and SM Fest in San Marcos, festivals that involve all things music and art.

Apogee Presents has hosted the past five Martian Arts festivals. Howard said they're excited about the expansion of the event, which will allow car canopies and parking.

“We’re now going from a six to eight-acre property to a 20-acre property. It will create a

REMEMBRANCE

Bobcat Pause honors deceased members of Texas State community

By Madelyn Weirich Assistant News Editor

starasstnews@txstate.edu

Jose “Joel” Velez solemnly marched to the front of the Student Center ballroom, surrounded by tearful onlookers. A young woman handed him a white rose, and he bowed his head in thanks. The rose was to honor his daughter, Iliana Velez, whose photo he proudly displayed on his shirt.

Four months ago, 19-year-old Iliana was about to begin her second semester at Texas State, pursuing a degree in architecture and interior design. On Jan. 3, 2022, she was killed in a hit-and-run car collision.

While nothing could describe the pain Jose felt in losing his daughter, for the moment, he was surrounded by people who understood the loss he experienced.

During Bobcat Pause, students, faculty, staff and loved ones gathered to honor the memory of those in the Texas State family who passed away this past school year.

Organized by the Student Foundation, the event began at 5:15 p.m. last Thursday with a reception

for attendees to gather together and reflect on the lives of their loved ones.

Along the walls of the room, tables displayed photos and memorabilia of 50 deceased students, faculty and staff. Diplomas, books, stuffed animals and words of wisdom written by those who had died adorned the tables, while others displayed a singular photo of a burning candle.

The memorial service began at 6 p.m. with a welcoming message from Student Foundation President KeAirra Haynes.

"Let us be a source of support for those in need and contentment for those who are in service," Haynes said. "Let us have the wisdom to learn, to love, to respect and to be kind to each other so that we may all throw with a peace of mind, with our friends beside us and no person beneath us, with the bonds of our country between us in our worries behind us with our goals before us and no task beyond us."

After the invocation, the Student Foundation played a slideshow presenting the names and photos of the deceased. President Denise

Trauth then gave a speech expressing support for those who had lost loved ones.

"Each of the students, faculty members and staff members who we honor today has made an impact on Texas state. They are part of the fabric of our community," Trauth said. "Acknowledge your own grief and support those around you who are also grieving. Neither time nor distance can separate us from the experiences we share with those we have lost. As long as our memories endure, their influence will be felt here at Texas State."

Following the speech was a musical performance by Hill Country Youth Chorus Encore Ensemble, and then a reading of the names of those who had died. With each name, those attending in honor of that person stood to show their respect and received a white rose from the Student Foundation.

Among those honored at the ceremony was 22-year-old business administration graduate Kennedy Willingham, who died

SEE REMEMBRANCE PAGE 3

much more wholesome and inclusive experience," Howard said.

The team at Apogee Presents expressed their joy for this year's festival since two years ago the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world. More specifically, the creative scene of artists, vendors and musicians had to press pause on life.

"The 2020 Martian Arts Festival was all booked and ready to go for that year, and then it all shut down," Jorge Dozal, a team member of Apogee Presents, said.

Apogee Presents had to recontact artists, musicians, staff and everyone involved for the 2020 festival, which was going to be a major event for the

SEE LOCAL ART PAGE 5

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball reflects on a season of perseverance

By Xavier Zamarron Sports Contributor

A basketball season isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Throughout the long hours of hard practice, the traveling and the physicality of games, it can get hard to keep going. Even through that, Texas State women’s basketball team never gave up.

“SHE JUST MAKES THE GAME EASIER FOR EVERYONE. PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE WE PLAY GAME PLANS FOR HER, AND SHE KNOWS THAT, BUT SHE STILL FINDS A WAY TO SCORE AND MAKE OUR TEAM BETTER, SO YEAH DA’NASIA HOOD IS MY MVP,” -KENNEDY TAYLOR, SENIOR GUARD

The 2021-2022 season was a tale of peaks and valleys for Coach Zenarae Antoine and her team. After starting the season, 5-2, the team went into a bit of a tailspin, going 1-7 over their next eight games. However, the Bobcats managed to weather the storm and bounced back to cap off the season with a 15-14 record and a playoff win. Antoine said the key to their second-half resurgence was staying true to themselves.

Jose “Joel” Velez, Iliana Velez’s father, accepts a white rose in memory of his daughter during the Bobcat Pause memorial service, Thursday, April 7, 2022, at the LBJSC Ballroom. Iliana, 19, was killed in a hit-and-run car collision on Interstate 35 in January. She was studying architecture and interior design at Texas State.

PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

SEE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE 7

2 | Tuesday, April 12, 2022

The University Star

NEWS

Arthur Fairchild News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

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

Editorial Staff

Texas State highlights Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Editor-in-Chief: Brianna Benitez stareditor@txstate.edu

Madelyn Weirich Assistant News Editor starasstnews@txstate.edu

Sports Editor: Carson Weaver starsports@txstate.edu

Editor's note: This article includes discussion of sexual assault and abuse.

News Editor: Arthur Fairchild starnews@txstate.edu Assistant News Editor: Madelyn Weirich starasstnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Sarah Hernandez starlifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinion Editor: Dillon Strine staropinion@txstate.edu Design Editor: Viviana Faz stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Natalie Ryan starmultimedia@txstate.edu Assistant Multimedia Editor: Vanessa Buentello starasstmmedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Meadow Chase starengagement@txstate.edu Podcast Editor: Carly Koon starpodcast@txstate.edu

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

Full-Time Staff Director Laura Krantz laurakrantz@txstate.edu

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 3,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels HeraldZeitung.

Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, April 12, 2022. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor-in-chief.

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Corrections: Any errors that are in the pages of The University Star and brought to our attention will be corrected as soon as possible.

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Standing in front of a small crowd of art appreciators young and old, 68-year-old Jennifer Epperson proudly announced that she had found healing.

As a child, Epperson was sexually abused, causing within her what she refers to as a "death of body, mind and spirit." Later, she found herself trapped within an abusive marriage, believing she deserved the mistreatment she was receiving. For years, she felt broken and unworthy, trying her best to understand what happened to her.

Over 50 years later, Epperson found the courage to unashamedly share her story through artwork and help those who have gone through similar situations.

This year, her gallery "Reshaping Trauma Through Art: An Artist's Quest for Healing from Sexual Assault" was selected as a Common Experience event at Texas State. The gallery, located at the San Marcos Price Center, features a wall of three paintings depicting the journey Epperson went through as she navigated life after being raped, along with a wall of storyboards detailing Epperson's artistic process.

Knowing that her experience and journey to healing is one that many can relate to, Epperson's hope is to express solidarity with survivors and make it known that healing is possible.

"The creative transformation of trauma, or the ability to create something healing out of darkness — that I can help to heal myself and others is what my intention is for this show," Epperson said.

"I think that the overall idea though, is that I would love to know that this has helped others in some way. That

Jennifer Epperson (right) describes the process she went through to create her gallery "Reshaping Trauma Through Art" as Elizabeth Choate (left) listens on April 8, 2022, in the San Marcos Price Center.

Epperson's gallery portrays the artist's journey of healing after sexual assault.

PHOTO BY LAUREN LIGUEZ

would be my reward."

San Marcos resident Elizabeth Choate was deeply moved by the depicted emotions of Epperson's work. During the tour, she was able to discuss with the artist her own journey toward healing and learning to let go of what she described felt like a "dirty secret."

"It could be years, it's most likely a lifetime of always learning that. It has been for me," Choate said.

"But I've gotten nothing but more power from what I went through, and it took a lot of years to get there, but I hold no shame. I hold no responsibility, but I had to learn and believe that in myself, which took a lot. A lot, a lot of work."

Epperson's gallery was chosen by the Common Experience in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Thanks to the contributions of the Students Against Violence, Texas State has a calendar full of events and initiatives taking place this month to bring awareness and support.

In the green space outside Jones Dining Hall, red flags are displayed to represent the 26.4% of female and 6.8% of male students who, statistically, will experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation during their time as an undergrad,

according to the 2019 AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct.

Dispersed among them are white flags to portray the impact of bystanders intervening to prevent sexual violence.

Last week, Students Against Violence set up a "Denim Day" display in the LBJ Student Center to encourage healthy conversation about sexual violence. The display showed pairs of jeans painted with phrases such as "break the stigma," "property of no one" and "it's not your fault." The denim represents that it doesn't matter what a person is wearing when they are sexually assaulted, and they should not be blamed for what another person did to them.

On April 27, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear denim in solidarity of National Denim Day. Other initiatives, such as the "Take Back the Night" rally on April 18 and the "Like the Back of My Hand” art display on the third floor of Alkek Library are taking place this month.

On April 18 in the LBJ Student Center Plaza, Students Against Violence invites students to share their experiences of violence through spoken word or poetry to support survivors and help end sexual violence during "Take Back the

Night." Slam Poet Addy Lugo will host the event and share her original work.

The "Like the Back of My Hand" art display this month in Alkek Library shows 3D printed hands of anonymous survivors of sexual assault.

On the hands are painted the age the survivors were when they were assaulted. The display is meant to create a space for survivors to share their stories, breaking the silence that contributes to the stigma of being open about sexual assault.

Hannah Carawan, a premedicine junior, attended the tour of Epperson's gallery and is happy to see the initiatives Texas State is putting on for SAAPM. She believes they are a step in the right direction for the university's goal to support survivors and plans to take part in as many as she can.

"For survivors, awareness events like this one show that they aren't alone and that their peers care," Carawan said. "It's easy to forget about things we don't see, but sexual assault isn't something to be quiet about. Survivors deserve better than that."

Resources for those who have experienced sexual assault can be found at www.healthcenter. txstate.edu.

Tuesday, April 12, 2022 | 3

The University Star

NEWS

Arthur Fairchild News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT REMEMBRANCE from COVID-19 less than a year ago.

While Willingham was vaccinated, an underlying condition caused fatal complications in her fight against the virus.

Willingham's immediate and extended family came to honor her.

Her "auntie," Wanda Roland, laughed through tears as she remembered how Willingham would tease her for being "old fashioned."

"Even as a child, she was always happy.

She was a beautiful person," Roland said. "She was on the Dean's List ... she had a month, and she was about to get her marketing [degree]."

Jamie Villareal, attended to honor Iliana. The two grew up together in Katy, Texas.

"She was so creative, and she loved music. She played piano," Villareal said.

"She was just the brightest light, the life of the party."

In addition to Willingham and Velez, 15 other students were honored at the ceremony, along with 35 faculty and staff members. Friends, family and even

fraternity brothers came to celebrate the lives of those the Texas State community lost this past year.

Toward the end of the ceremony, Haynes provided closing remarks to comfort those left behind. Haynes was glad to have the opportunity to put together Bobcat Pause as a way to honor the former Bobcats.

"It's kind of our way of giving back to the Texas State community, just to show that we still honor our Bobcats, even though they may not be with us right now," Haynes said. "Just as a way for the families to come together, support one another through such a hard time, allow the Texas State community to come out, whether they were previous coworkers, previous faculty members, whatever the case may be, just as a way to honor one another during this time."

Information about this year's memorial service, along with a list of honorees can be found at www.dos.txstate.edu/inmemoriam.

Loved ones visit Caleb Coleman’s altar during the Bobcat Pause memorial service, Thursday, April 7, 2022, at the LBJSC ballroom. Coleman, 22, was among the students at Texas State who were honored.

PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

Tina Noren-Campbell lowers her head during the Bobcat Pause memorial service, Thursday, April 7, 2022, at the LBJSC ballroom. Tina was married to Robert Campbell, 58, who died due to COVID-19 complications and worked for the Texas State University Police Department for 31 years before retiring.

PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

President Denise M. Trauth and Rodney Salyer, Austin Salyer’s father, have a conversation during the Bobcat Pause memorial service, Thursday, April 7, 2022, at the LBJSC ballroom. Austin, 20, was killed after negligent gunfire struck through his room at The Lyndon apartments in San Marcos. He was studying criminal justice and minoring in military science at Texas State.

PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

4 | Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Sarah Hernandez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

The University Star

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

LIFE AND ARTS

ECO club members helping out and learning at Rasmey Mau’s Garden.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAYLIN GREEN

Student organization preserves San Marcos environment for over 20 years

By Marisa Nunez Life and Arts Reporter Student members in the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) at Texas State have strived to keep San Marcos' habitat clean for nearly two decades through initiatives like community service and trash pick-ups.

The club was originally formed in 1998 and was called the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP). It was created by students who wanted to bring light to environmental issues.

"Back when ECO was the National Association of Environmental Professionals, they were kind of instrumental in terms of helping the Texas State campus to kind of be able to focus on environmental issues and then have a way to fund environmental projects on campus that made them more of a green campus per se," said Kimberly Meitzen, associate professor of geography and ECO's advisor.

Besides bringing light to environmental issues, NAEP was involved with helping provide funds for the Environmental Service Committee (ESC) by issuing a small fee associated with all students' tuition. Wanting to carry on the true purpose of the club and the connection with the ESC, the name was changed to ECO in 2011.

Meitzen became ECO's advisor in 2015 after leading nature hikes and getting involved with the club's other activities. She loves witnessing student involvement with the environment through things like reusing and refilling bath product containers, fundraising and giving back to nonprofits and taking on the adopt-a-spot cleanup events head-on with no hesitation.

"They never complain ... I'm just super impressed by like, their attitudes ... they're just always so eager to help clean up the environment and get back ... they're just really neat," Meitzen said.

Once a student has joined the organization, not only can they take part in fun social events such as potlucks, bonfires, Discord game nights and camping trips, but students can also receive an ECO scholarship. Funded by the Department of Geography, the scholarship is awarded annually to a member who stands out to ECO's officers and who goes above and beyond with helping the community.

ECO President and previous scholarship winner Maylin Green, a geography resource and environmental studies senior, has been a member of the organization since the fall of 2020. She discovered the club on the student organization website after she transferred to Texas State. She was a member of an environment club similar to ECO in high school called the Youth Environmental Society and was eager to find an organization like it in college.

“It's a really great place to meet people who are really sweet … that just want to give back to the community. [Students can find people] who care … about giving back to the earth. It's been a really lovely experience for me to get to volunteer with people,” Green said.

Since joining ECO, Green has enjoyed making friends who have similar interests to her own. She became the organization's president in December and has implemented an educational aspect in the club, providing students with more information on the environment through guest speakers, workshops and tours of recycling centers.

"I think today's generation, we have to be the change that we want to see.

So, by educating college students, and creating a community of like-minded individuals that are going to help the environment, we're making the right changes for [a] more sustainable future,” Green said.

Members have participated in service activities like adopt-a-spot cleanups in which they chose spots around San Marcos to clean, river cleanups through kayak campaigns and have completed yard work and gardening for a local master gardener named Rasmey Mau. Mau, Green said, is a local organic gardener who participates in the weekly farmers' market on the Square. ECO members volunteer once a month to help out on her farm.

Public Relations Manager Athena Morgan, an environmental science and geography resources junior, has been a member of ECO since the beginning of her sophomore year. She said her favorite part about ECO is gardening since not many people have the opportunity to learn how to do it.

“I'm just super into the environment in general … I was looking for a club that had more impact, like a club that like, actually went out and constantly did good things for the environment, which is kind of what I want to do with my life … the cleanups attracted me because I hate litter,” Morgan said.

Besides reaping the educational benefits of being a member of ECO, Morgan said she enjoys the tight-knit community that revolves around her passion and love of the environment.

“I've got to have a second home at ECO like always kind of felt like I could just go there, and I would be surrounded by people who had, like, the same interests … [ECO has] benefited me. It has become kind of a family,” Morgan said.

ECO members meet once a month on Tuesdays, although meeting attendance is not required to stay in the organization. To join, students pay $15 per semester to participate in social events, but there is no payment required to participate in service events.

Last spring, ECO had 20 members in the club. Since then, they have grown

Members of ECO pick up tree brush at Rasmey Mau’s farm.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAYLIN GREEN

dramatically, with over 300 students active in the club’s Discord and over 100 students paying dues and participating in club activities. The pandemic helped the organization gain new members since students were eager to be involved with a group and wanted to participate in outdoor activities.

Maddie Kinerd, a psychology junior and ECO's outreach officer, joined the organization last semester after seeing it in the Quad. Kinerd became an ECO officer after her friends moved into leadership positions too.

“I think it's an easy way to make friends. And it teaches you a lot about how you can be sustainable. Just doing simple tasks like not using plastic straws or using reusable bags, and it's a really easy way to learn about that stuff while you're making friends at the same time,” Kinerd said.

Green hopes that students understand the importance of helping the

environment through community service and the realization that even small changes like recycling can have a big effect on the environment. When more people get involved in making a difference, she said, the more significant the outcome will be.

In the future, ECO looks to expand its reach to more students, implement additional educational opportunities and host new service events like river diving in which they will dive into the San Marcos rivers to collect trash.

For more information about ECO, visit https://txstateeco.wixsite.com/txsteco or @txstate.eco on Instagram.

COMIC BY MADISON WARE

Tuesday, April 12, 2022 | 5

The University Star

LIFE AND ARTS

Sarah Hernandez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT LOCAL ART company. While they have their hopes high for 2022's festival, they are aware not everyone feels ready to go back to normal.

"We are inclusive to those who may still be wary about their space, but we also want to reenergize San Marcos," said Olivia Leopardi, a team member of Apogee Presents. "Having these events and having these moments where you get to see people with similar energy makes it a lot more easier and inviting."

The Martian Arts Festival celebrates the community of San Marcos and highlights the talent of not just musicians, but artists of a variety of mediums as well. Dozal believes that's what makes their festival unique.

"I feel like a lot of festivals are more focused on music, making it more of a concert than a festival," Dozal said.

"This festival is focused on everyone.

You got people doing yoga, there's people leading workshops, paint classes.

Little things like that that get you going and get you submerged in what you can do here in town."

Studio San Martian, a beloved live music venue and art boutique in San Marcos, will help festival attendees flex their creative muscles with its workshop, Puff N’ Paint. In addition, they will also have a free flow art station where painters can express themselves on canvas without any instructor guidance.

“I hope people gain a greater sense of community and make more connections with other like-minded people through our workshop,” Rami Dogic, the assistant event coordinator for Studio San Martian, said.

Dogic said the event will feature a traditional tea lounge with teas from places like China and Japan. Studio San Martian is looking forward to showing everyone why art is an important part of San Marcos culture.

“We’re so close to Austin, Texas, yet few people venture out here. San Marcos also has live music and is lively just like Austin,” Dogic said. “I haven’t been able to find places quite like Studio San Martian where there’s so many creative outlets going on in one room.”

In addition to the art scene, music will be another big component of the festival. The band The Deer is very familiar with San Marcos since the group is comprised of Texas State alumni. The bands' members look forward to their homecoming and entertaining the crowd this weekend.

"San Marcos is just one of those spots where everyone meets you with their eyes, and they're engaged in your performance," Grace Rowlan, the frontwoman of The Deer, said. "It's an amazing community where there's music lovers and wonderful people."

Rowland and Jesse Dalton, bass player for The Deer, are no strangers to the Martian Arts Festival. The transcendental folk band has performed for the event multiple times and enjoys the vibrant feel that the festival brings to San Marcos.

"We've been in orbit with the festival for a while," Dalton said. "They've been making amazing things happen and we're so excited to play in a town where we have both a rich and vibrant history."

Martian Arts Festival is unlike any other, where attendees get to camp onsite to enjoy all that San Marcos has to offer. From silent disco to morning yoga, it will be a packed day for all who attend.

"There's gonna be so many different people, so many different types of artists," Leopardi said. "This festival is like a little hub for creatives. It inspires me because we all have so much to offer."

ILLUSTRATiON BY AFAAF ALNAHAS

The Martian Arts Festival will take place from April 15-16 at 2070 Lime Kiln Road in San Marcos. To purchase

tickets and to learn more, visit https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/martian-artsfestival-22-tickets-223525941107.

6 | Tuesday, April 12, 2022

The University Star

OPINIONS

Dillon Strine 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.

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Getting out of your comfort zone is essential for personal growth

By Kadence Cobb Opinion Contributor

The transition period into college is a huge life change for incoming students.

Living in a different environment, meeting new people and adjusting to college courses can be extremely challenging. However, it is important for students to push the boundaries they have lived by in order to successfully grow.

Humans make decisions based on neural pathways created by the brain.

The brain uses the pathway’s patterns when creating thoughts and behaviors.

Constantly following the same pattern will result in forming comfort zones.

Some individuals gravitate toward the zones due to the minimization of taking risks. They mimic their past experiences to avoid anxiety-inducing situations occurring from uncertainty. Although, when constantly living within definitive boundaries, people neglect to try new things and limit the development of their overall well-being.

This can be extremely important for college students to get out of their comfort zones in order to gain new perspectives, become in tune with their emotions and benefit their mental health.

It is crucial for college students to break away from clear-cut perimeters in order to gain new life perspectives. We are constantly making decisions every day that shape our pathways in life.

Though it may be intimidating to step away from those pathways, the reward can be fulfilling.

In a study conducted in Germany, research showed that risk-taking individuals were more content than those who avoided risks. While taking risks in life is inevitable, individuals seeking out those opportunities displayed benefits.

When facing new situations, our mind is forced to create new situations for challenges that arise. Thus, making you much more adaptable and prepared for challenges in the future. Experiencing new situations can help boost creativity

ILLUSTRATUON BY MADISON WARE

levels, as well.

Choosing to live outside of ones comfort zone can make individuals vulnerable to making mistakes. But it is important for students to understand the benefits of these encounters. Mistakes help individuals gain experience, assist in the development of critical thinking skills and gain wisdom. Rather than trying to avoid making mistakes, students should focus on learning from them.

Persisting outside of the confinement of boundaries can encourage students to become more in tune with their emotions. It is essential to have a growth mindset when pushing personal boundaries. A “growth mindset” encourages individuals to leave their comfort zones in order to further develop and improve skills.

Those practicing this mindset are opening themselves up to encountering new experiences, which can inspire different emotions. Recognizing the emotions felt in situations outside of one's comfort zone can allow one to better understand their self and become familiar with emotions. Individuals who are understanding of their emotions are

more likely to have trust in themselves, improved decision-making skills and experience life fully.

Students like Andrea Ortega, an exercise and sports science senior, believe it is important to challenge yourself to live beyond self-made boundaries.

“I’m a strong believer that if you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something that you’ve never done," Ortega said. "Everything good I have has come from going out of my comfort zone. The things I didn’t want to do or had risks have had the best outcomes.

These experiences have taught me to take risks, and not be afraid of the unknown, but to embrace it."

One year ago, Ortega challenged herself to start attending the gym. She developed a love for weightlifting and ended up changing her major to exercise and sports science. Currently, she is completing an internship at a hospital in Austin and plans on pursuing a master's degree in exercise science. By taking a risk, she was able to find her passion in life. She urges other students to challenge themselves and pursue their goals.

Pursuing life outside of your "safe

place" has benefits regarding mental health. There is a lower risk of developing depression and anxiety in individuals who often step outside their comfort zone. When opening themselves up to new situations, individuals develop critical skills to help deal with stress.

Over time, they are developing their emotional resilience. New scenarios can also encourage personal growth by making individuals more prepared for the future. These individuals are constantly gaining experience and knowledge.

Moving into uncharted territory can be very overwhelming for students. They run the risk of becoming disappointed with their decision and may find that leaving their comfort zone was not beneficial. Regardless of the outcome, students will gain insight that assists in pursuing personal growth. This growth is important by allowing individuals to implement life adjustments to promote positive outcomes.

It is not always necessary to perform grand gestures in order to get outside of your comfort zone. It can be as simple as speaking up during class discussions, introducing yourself to new people or trying new food options on campus.

You can even try by pushing yourself to learn a new skill or explore different areas of town.

There are opportunities on campus available for students to challenge themselves, too. Joining an organization, participating in social events or attending sports games are just a few opportunities Texas State has to offer.

- Kadence Cobb is a journalism freshman The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication. Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

(Left to right) Texas State marketing seniors Daniel Merino, Natalie Armenita and Joachim Print This owner John Powell prints shirts, Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at the Quad. John is printing shirts to promote Texas State's new branding "TXST NEXT." PHOTO BY JEFFREY HALFEN

Kroll sell Toma Taco's breakfast tacos, Wednesday, April 6, 2022, on the Quad. "Success 4 Breakfast" is supporting Toma Taco for Texas State Enactus, a student group interested in the betterment of people, the planet and profit.

PHOTO BY CASSIE BUTTERFIELD

Members of the Texas State Metals Guild sell jewelry made by the club at Art Squared, Saturday, April 9, 2022, on the Courthouse lawn. The Metals Guild is a student group of artists interested in metals.

PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

Texas State students play a game of hacky sack in between classes, Wednesday, April 6, 2022, on the Quad.

PHOTO BY CASSIE BUTTERFIELD

Tuesday, April 12, 2022 | 7

The University Star

Carson Weaver Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

SPORTS FROM FRONT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL “You need to have a good understanding of who you are and what your why is,” Antoine said. “When the how doesn’t go the way you want to you really got to focus on your why … we stuck with it, we hit some rocky moments, but then we hit some highs that made me feel really good. Our culture got to a really good place as far as being able to battle and fight and I’m proud of that.”

Part of the season’s adversity can be attributed to the pandemic. In January, a massive spike in cases due to the Omicron variant forced the Sun Belt Conference to fall back into more restrictive health and safety protocols.

The Omicron surge also forced Sun Belt Conference schools like Little Rock and South Alabama to cancel at least four games. Meanwhile, Texas State was one of just two teams in the Sun Belt Conference to only have one game Texas State senior guard Kennedy Taylor (3) dribbles around a Maverick defender to get to the basket during a game against UT Arlington, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, at Strahan Arena. The canceled.

“We hit a fair amount of adversity Bobcats lost 72-65. regarding COVID. We were one of very PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO few schools that played through games instead of sitting out,” Antoine said.

“The only school that played as many games as we did was Troy. I’m really proud of that, there’s a lot to be said for our student-athletes fighting through that.”

Even with all the highs and lows, two of Texas State’s stars shined. Both senior forward Da’Nasia Hood and senior guard Kennedy Taylor were named to Sun Belt All-Conference teams. Hood was one of the most lethal scorers in the conference, finishing fourth in pointsper-game with 16.9. Not only that, but Hood came up clutch in the Bobcat’s first round of the Sun Belt Conference Championship win over South Alabama when she scored a career-high 33 points to put away the Jaguars. That type of scoring punch is something her teammates definitely appreciated.

“She just makes the game easier for everyone,” Taylor said. “Pretty much everyone we play game plans for her, Texas State senior forward Da'Nasia Hood (32) jumps over Red Wolves defense to make and she knows that, but she still finds a a shot at the basket during a game agaisnt Arkanas State, Thursday, February 24, way to score and make our team better, 2022, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats won 84-75. so yeah Da’Nasia Hood is my MVP.” PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO Taylor on the other hand was an ironwoman all throughout the year, playing the team,” Taylor said. “I’ll do whatever in the second round of the Sun Belt 40 minutes (a whole game's worth) 13 it takes to win the game, but I would Conference Championship. Hood times this season. Not only that, but the say my specialty is getting other people admitted her slight disappointment, 5-foot-3-inch point guard led the Sun involved, just trying to find different while also acknowledging that the Belt Conference in total assists with ways for my teammates to score is a big team could use this experience moving 183, giving her the highest per-game part of my game.” forward. average of 6.3. She takes a lot of pride in Despite all the individual success, the “I was okay with the season, but my being able to run the show. two still aren’t quite satisfied with how goal at the end of the day is to win “I really like how our coaches have their season ended when they came up so if we didn’t accomplish that then I instilled the confidence in me to run short of a win after losing to Louisiana didn’t do enough,” Hood said. “I know

that sounds funny, but that’s just how I think about the game. We had to fight through a lot of adversity this season, but I think it played out in a good way as far as what we'll be able to take into next year.”

In fact, the team is very excited about this upcoming year. The 2022-2023 season will be Hood and Taylor’s last dance as Bobcats and that’s something that isn’t lost on them.

“I’m just looking forward to going out hard in my last season,” Hood said.

“Having this last year with KT and some of the others on the team, I’m really looking forward to it.”

However, they’re also just looking forward to hopefully having a normal year. As the pandemic subsides, things will move back to normal, including sports. Not only will the team have to go through less restrictive health and safety protocols, but they won’t have to deal with as much anxiety about socializing in their daily lives.

Many of the younger members of the team don’t even know what it’s like to not have to deal with that anxiety, which is why Taylor is so happy that they’ll finally get to have a normal season.

“I’m really more excited for the student-athletes that haven’t had a chance to go through a season without COVID,” Taylor said. “A lot of our younger ones, they’ve never seen a season without COVID, so I’m just excited for us to be able to get the full experience.”

Antoine also recognizes how big it is for her players to not have to deal with that constant anxiety hanging over them every time they step out in public. She also said that fewer restrictions mean her team can now get a lot more done, not only in terms of practices but even team-building exercises and activities.

“There’s things that we’re able to do now where you don’t feel as stressed out ... there’ll just be a greater sense of freedom,” Antoine said. “We feel really safe around each other in a team setting, but when you get out in the general public it can be pretty scary. The hope is that as we go through this the cases go down and [our athletes] can live more freely without that added anxiety.”

After a year filled with that adversity and a need to fight through it, the team will welcome normalcy with open arms.

While the 2021-2022 season didn’t finish with a championship, these Bobcats learned lessons about resilience and leadership that they'll carry for years to come.

Weekend Sports Recap

Texas State junior safety Tory Spears (12) stands up after catching the ball during the spring football game, Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State junior left fielder Jose Gonzalez (23) runs the bases after scoring his first collegiatecareer home run during a game against Georgia Southern, Friday, April 8, 2022, at Bobcat Ballpark. The Bobcats lost the series 1-2.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State junior wide receiver Julian Ortega-Jones (17) catches a pass from the quarterback during the spring football game, Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State freshman outfielder Kyle Atkinson (6) throws the ball to a teammate to warm up in between innings during a game against Georgia Southern, Friday, April 8, 2022, at Bobcat Ballpark. The Bobcats lost the series 1-2.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

8 | Tuesday, April 12 2022

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