Alumnus makes new path
THE GREAT HIP RACE
Graduate Mayra Zamora discusses journey into art world by AMBER QUAID managing editor
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rtist, alumni and first generation of her family to live in the United States, this is but the surface of Mayra Zamora. Her family was of limited means and they decided to leave Mexico and come to the United States so Zamora and her sibling could have a better future. They ended up in a small Texas town called Tivoli and that is where her education began and where she graduated from a class of nine. “I think growing up in a small town helped me become the person that I am,” Zamora said. Zamora had the same art teacher from kindergarten all the way through high school. Even when she did not have class with this teacher she would still go visit during lunch and after school to get ideas and opinions on her latest work. She said this art teacher inspired her and kept her doing artwork which lead to her receiving a scholarship to go to college. Zamora stayed at home drawing most of her childhood until she entered college where she discovered the many different forms of art. “When I was an undergrad I kind of lost my confidence, lost my way,” Zamora said. “I was finding my way and in college I was discovering the difference between an artist and a fine artist.” She finally found her way in an advanced art class with Joe Pena, assistant professor of art at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Once she developed her own style she became more inspired by the Calaveras or Day of the Dead skulls. She has paint-
Greeks host supply drive for local shelter by REED HORTON contributing writer
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photo courtesy of MAYRA ZAMORA
“El Whataburger” was commissioned by the Whataburger corporation for the company owner. The scan, seen here, was resold by Zamora during the Fiesta de la Flor festival.
ed many of these with ties to her and her family. She represents herself with the color purple to show strength and femininity. Her sister is represented with the color yellow and butterflies, which is her favorite animal. Her dad
is represented with the color blue and spider webs, because of his dream to be Spider-man when he was little and her mom is represented with the color turquoise to show where her strength and femininity came from. see ZAMORA on page 9
Pride Alliance comes to campus Students start new gay-straight alliance group by STERLEN KEMP news reporter
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n organization that focuses on the Gay-Straight alliance has been revived at Texas A&M University –Corpus Christi in the form of the Pride Alliance. The Pride Alliance hosted their first meeting at 7 p.m. on April 16 in Island Hall 160. The meeting described the mission and vision for the organization, aiming to provide a safe place for members of the LGBT community. “The purpose of the Pride Alliance is to create a safe place for all people who identify as LGBTQIA etc. or also known as MOGIA people,”
said Chauncey Brandom, founder and president of the Pride Alliance at the Island University. “This is a place for education for allies as well, learning to be a better activist.” The presence of a Gay-Straight Alliance has been inactive for the past few semesters. Many of the previous members graduated and moved on to others things, leaving an absence of an organization that is specialized for members of the LGBT community. “Having a safe place for LGBTQAI students is absolutely necessary,” said Jason Farr, Co-Advisor to the Pride Alliance and assistant professor in the English department at the Island University. “Speaking from personal experience, being able to talk to people
n April 2, Phi Delta Theta and Alpha Gamma Delta held an oncampus community service project on the East Lawn, collecting pet supplies and raising awareness for PALS, a local, no-kill animal shelter. Students were encouraged to leave supplies with the organizations on Thursday, but there will be collection boxes placed in the Faculty Center, Center for Sciences, Center for Instruction, and the Mary and Jeff Bell Library until April 8. Both organizations are proud to be involved with raising awareness and collecting much-needed goods for the animal shelter. Jonathon Le, junior and president of Phi Delta Theta, said the Islander community has an excellent opportunity to impact the Corpus Christi community by participating in this event. “PALS is an excellent mission, but regrettably does not have all the resources to accomplish its goals,” Le said. “As a Greek, it is humbling to be involved with furthering the mission of PALS and helping to save the lives of innocent pets.” Jeena Jimenez, junior and President of Alpha Gamma Delta, voiced a similar sentiment. see PALS on page 3
who are going through similar things is invaluable and empowering.” Many of the newly joined members expressed the need for inclusivity at the Island University. Discussions about educating the public about the LGBT community and how to create a united campus community were some of the topics tossed around. “The Pride Alliance was created out of a need to have a place of support and education here at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi,” according to the Pride Alliance’s website. “Therefore, the Pride Alliance’s argument is: the best activist is an educated one.”
INDEX OPINION 2 | NEWS 3 CAMPUS 5-8 | ENTERTAINMENT 9-12 | SPORTS 13-14
see PRIDE ALLIANCE on page 3
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 13