Volume 25 Issue 25 by Island Waves

Tennis fundraiser Islander teams hold community tournament

Island University career fair preview PAGE 3

Islanders tennis athletes pose with community participants during the Mercedes-Benz tournament.

by JEREMY PAPE sports reporter

he Islanders men’s and women’s tennis teams hosted a tennis tournament on Sept. 20, at the Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center. The event, titled the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Championships, also served as a fundraising event for the men’s and women’s tennis programs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. For a $50 entry fee, which went to the Islanders Tennis teams for their use, each participant was able to compete in a guaranteed three rounds. Lunch was also provided for the participants. Each participant was given a special gift, donated by Mercedes-Benz.

“[The tournament was good because] it got donors involved, got the Islanders involved and it also helped Mercedes,” Goncalo Figueiredo said, associate head coach of the men’s team. The tournament featured a doubles format, as men and women from around the Corpus Christi area teamed up in their respective divisions to compete. The competitors were divided into separate divisions by way of a ranking system entitled National Tennis Rating Program. Although Mercedes-Benz has been holding this tournament since 1993, this was the fourth year people from the Corpus Christi community have been participating. Another mode of play in this tour-

photo courtesy of GO ISLANDERS

nament was called “Islander-Amateur.” Similar to tournaments in various sports called “pro-ams,” this style of play involved one of the members of the community partnered up with one of the members of the tennis program. The entry fee for the Islander-Amateur tournament was a minimum of $200, which also went directly to the tennis programs at the Island University. “It raised a decent amount of money,” Figueiredo said. “[For the Islander-Amateur tournament], there were eight donors that played doubles with Islanders males, and eight female donors playing with the Islander women, so that it would be fair to everybody.” see TENNIS TOURNAMENT on page 10

Banned Book Week review PAGE 6

Sinking ships

Research institute studies artificial reef habitats

Staff Reports by TEXAS A&M—CORPUS CHRISTI

he 155-foot Kinta S slipped to her watery grave Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico off shore from Mustang Island, but the nearly 40-yearold freighter will foster new marine life for years to come. Scuttled in 75 feet of water eight miles out into the Gulf as part of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s artificial reef program, the Kinta S is the largest ship to be reefed since the

473-foot Texas Clipper was sunk 17 miles off South Padre Island in 2006. Scientists with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi were on hand for the sinking, and will continue to monitor the ecosystem that develops around the sunken vessel. “Harte Research Institute is proud to partner with Texas Parks and Wildlife on this project and be involved in enhancing our scientific understanding of artificial reef habitat in the Gulf

of Mexico,” said Dr. Greg Stunz, Endowed Chair of Fisheries and Ocean Health at HRI and Director of the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation at A&M-Corpus Christi. “Our scientists were the first divers down just after the ship was sunk to make sure it was resting at the right depth and orientation on the gulf floor. We will continue to monitor this site for several years to document the colonization by marine life.”

Bailando dance festival PAGE 11

see SINKING SHIPS on page 4

VOLUME 25, ISSUE 25

editorial 2 ISLAND WAVES

a student publication of

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

island waves staff CONNER TICHOTA

10.2.2014

The Reading Corner A continuation of the college reading secrets series

editor-in-chief

MARIAM AMAYA

advertising manager

JUSTIN VU NGUYEN

advertising assistant

AUBREY DANCER layout editor

THI NGUYEN

layout assistant

JAMIE FINK

news reporter

TREY SEAL

entertainment reporter

JEREMY PAPE

sports reporter

MARK MARTINEZ

distribution manager

WENDY MOORE faculty adviser

AMY KOTULSKI staff adviser

write us a letter The Island Waves accepts letters no longer than 250 words. Letters are subject to editing. Send letters to the editor via email at editor@tamucc.edu.

about island waves The Island Waves is a student-produced publication at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The newspaper is printed weekly, except during summer sessions. Since A&M-Corpus Christi has no journalism department, Island Waves is supported by student fees and advertising sales. Any student or University employee may submit material for publication consideration. To become a contributor, e-mail or call the Island Waves editor.

DR. C. HOLMES and DR. D. CULBERTSON reading coaches/ contributing

he instructor has assigned the class a weekend reading assignment, and the first thing students do is check how many pages there are to read. In most cases, the length of the assignment will determine how soon they will actually begin reading. Everyone’s been there. However, checking the length of an assignment says that the student is probably a passive reader. As an emerging reader, students should want to adopt reading strategies that move them from being a passive reader to an active reader. Previewing a text, an active reader’s strategy, is designed to help familiarize students with the content and organization of a reading assignment before

actually reading a new text. It also helps to activate schema and background knowledge, which are essential when approaching a new text. So, the next time a professor assigns an extended reading assignment, do not fret. Review the following components of the assignment, and then read the chapter with ease. 1. Read and highlight the title. It helps to focus attention on the topic. 2. Read and highlight the author’s information. This will provide clues to the content. 3. Read and highlight the entire first paragraph. The first paragraph serves as a lead-in and may include the thesis statement. 4. Read and highlight the boldfaced heading. The headings label and announce the topic for that section. 5. Read and highlight the first

READING TIP Reading Tip: To immediately implement active reader strategies, you can: ask questions, visualize, predict, make connections and respond.

sentence under each boldfaced heading. This sentence may be the central thought. If it seems like an introduction, consider reading the last sentence. 6. Read and highlight any typographical and graphic aids. This includes color print, boldfaced font, italics, graphs, charts, photographs and tables. Aids suggest that the author deems this as important information. Therefore, it should be important to the reader as well. 7. Read and highlight the last

paragraph. This is considered a summary or a condensed view of the text. Using the above previewing strategies, before reading an academic text, will help students maneuver through any difficult passage. Remember to approach new texts from an active reader’s perspective. Source: McWhorter, K. (2012). Reading Across the Discipline: College Reading and Beyond, Fifth Edition. Saddle River: Pearson, 2012. 35-37. Print.

Prepare for new career

Career Services offers advice on life after college

by JEREMY GONZALES contributing writer

here is something interesting that happens in college. Often, students are engulfed by campus life right up until the final semester or few months before graduation. As a student, it’s pretty easy to see why facing the unavoidable truth, “I need a job soon…”or, “what are my future career plans?” is left on the back burners. After all, a new video game or movie is so much more interesting than the paperwork and anxious interviews required to get a job. Sooner or later, students have to face it and their focus changes to prioritizing and consolidating future plans. During this process, all students look for help, whether it’s Google, friends or parents. However, there is an alternative. There is a select group of career specialists trained, taught and forged by their career fields in the pits of Mordor (Lord of The Rings reference, but seriously, mostly from Texas).

Ever see that Tom Cruise movie, “Show Me The Money?” Well, these specialists are kind of like that, they act like agents representing their clientele and help them discover their value. Why? So they can bargain, be confident in interviews, know how and where to find jobs and gain experience. So, picture a bunch of career counselors sliding around and dancing with resume applications in hand at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, but with pants, and that narrows them down to a T. How’s that for imagery? No, not really, but they are special in what they do. Oh, and these agents (career counselors) don’t ask for a single penny…their services are absolutely free to students. Now, how can career counselors/career agents forge students into a resume applying, job interviewing, “sultan of swat, king of crash, colossus of clout, GREAT BAMBINO.” (Yes, a Sandlot reference: reliving your childhood is good.)

Well, these career counselors have secret methods honed by years of practice at a secluded career counseling monastery in the Himalayan Mountains where career counselors learn to control their career chi. Yes, career chi. Reality... the career counselors are specialized in their fields through years of experience in the fields, with employers and career strategies. Career counseling at the Island University is individualized and often incorporates strategies like resume reviewing, mock interviewing, cover letter critiquing or the use of career assessments. So, if someone wants to know what a professional interview will look like in their field, university career counselor can schedule a mock interview with specialized interview questions to simulate the experience. Or, if an individual is unsure of what field to go into, counselors have specialized fortune

cookies that unlock destiny… In the form of a personality career-based paper format. Sorry, no cookies. Resume reviewing is also a handy service that the university career counselors implement. The career counselors are able to review, revise and highlight areas in student resumes. Let’s take it a step further, the career counselors do not only help with the essentials, they take it a step further by negotiating positions for the Island University students. How awesome is that? Thinking it’s only in small local places? Think again. These career counselors got connections: internships, volunteer work, full-time positions, part-time positions, local, statewide, national and international positions. All are a number of possibilities all thanks to the university career counselors. The first step is making an appointment via phone (361-825-2628), or, stopping by (room 216 in O’Connor) to schedule one. Don’t miss out.

news

10.2.2014

University hosts career fair

ISLAND WAVES

Students have opportunity to network with potential employers by JAMIE FINK news reporter

n Oct. 8, Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi, will be hosting their biannual college career fair, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Dugan Wellness Center. “The Career Fair is just what students expect it to be,” said Nancy Salinas, senior career counselor for Career Services. “The fair is open to students of all majors who are seeking jobs or internships related to their specific major or maybe even their minor.” The Career Fair will be hosted by Career Services. The fair is expected to have at least 70 employers who have registered to be at the event for students that are seeking employment or even an internship. “These employers are going to be here specifically for our students here at the Island University,” Salinas said. “We are excited for this fall’s fair. We have received confirmation from many employers who are excited to come and see what our student here have to offer.” Salinas said she is willing to help provide information to students who are attending or are thinking of attending the Career Fair. Salinas provided a series of tips to give students the best advantage to make the best first impression to the employers. First the most important thing a student can do before attending these career events is to do their research. If students don’t have an idea about what kind of job or internship they are looking for, they should prepare. Once students have a general idea

of what kind of job or internship they are looking for they should prepare specific resumes focused on those specific employers and those specific job or internships. However, in case students find another employer they were not expecting, they should bring resumes that are more general and less specific to a certain employer. The second most important thing for students to remember is to dress professionally, or as professionally they are able to. For men, wear a suit of dark color black, grey, or dark blue and a white shirt with a simple tie. No exotic patterns. For women, the same rule applies. Suits or dresses of dark colors either black, grey or dark blue. Also, when wearing heels, women should not wear heels higher than two or three inches. All candidates should be well groomed and clean shaven. Students should be prepared for onthe-spot interviews by employers. Be prepared to make the best first impressions, give a firm handshake and warm smile. Be able to give a twominute interview spill about good qualities and have quick answers for general interview questions. Lastly, students should just remain comfortable and relaxed. “If you are unable to attend this event, it is OK. We offer multiple internship and career fairs throughout the school year, in both the fall and spring semesters,” Salinas said. For more information regarding Career Services or the services they offer visit careerservices@tamucc.edu.

Got Opinions? Write to Us:

editor@tamucc.edu

Like us on Facebook:

Island Waves Student Newspaper

Career fair 2014 attendees •Allen Samuels Chevrolet •Bay Ltd. •Baytek International •Bradleys Inc. •Buckeye International, Inc. •Buckle, Inc. •C&J Energy Services Inc. •CGI •Cheniere Energy, Inc. •CHRISTUS Spohn Health System •Cintas Corporation •Citgo Refining & Chemicals CO., L.P. •Combined Insurance •CONVERGENT BROADCASTING •Corpus Christi Police Department •CCRTA •Crowe Horwath LLP •Dallas Police Department •Enterprise Holdings •Epic Health Services •Fastenal Company •Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation •FESCO Ltd. •First Command Financial Services •Flint Hills Resources •Freedom Equity Group Builders •HEB •Kiewit Energy Group •Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. •Magnum Oil Tools, International •Melton & Melton, LLP •Mike Shaw Toyota •National Mail-It/Everything Marketing •Navy Army Community Credit Union •Peace Corps •Percheron LLC •PLS Logistics Services •QSROnline.com, Inc. •Service Corporation International (SCI) •Sherwin Alumina Company •Sherwin Williams Company PSG •Southwest Research Institute •State Farm Insurance •Stripes LLC •Supreme Services & Specialty •TeacherBuilder.com •Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, College of Graduate Studies •Texas Department of Criminal Justice •Texas Department of Public Safety •Texas Mutual Insurance •Texas State Aquarium •THE RESULTS COMPANIES •UC Synergetic, LLC. •USAA •Waddell & Reed, Inc. •Western & Southern Financial Group •Whataburger, Inc. •Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend

news 4

10.02.2014

ISLAND WAVES

photo courtesy of TAMUCC & TPWD

The Kinta S sinks in the Gulf of the shores of Port Aransas, Texas.

SINKING SHIPS Stunz and his team captured this video footage from the sinking. Launched in Japan in 1976, the formerly Panama-flagged Kinta S will enhance an existing site known as the Corpus Christi Nearshore Reef. The 169-acre reef, composed of 470 concrete pyramids and several thousand tons of concrete culverts, was begun in the fall of 2013. Officially it is known as MU 775. TPWD’s artificial reef program repurposes three types of materials: decommissioned drilling rigs in the Rigs-to-Reefs Program, highway bridge materials and other types of concrete and heavy-gauge steel in the Nearshore Reefing Program, and large marine vessels in the Ships-to-Reefs Program. In waters ranging from 50 to more than 300 feet deep, petroleum production platforms (jackets), scrapped concrete culverts, barges and a variety of decommissioned water craft (including the Texas Clipper) become undersea oases for a wide range of marine species. In addition to improving fishing opportunities in the Gulf, the Corpus Christi reef is one of eight such sites within nine nautical miles of shore that offers diving opportunities, with more near-shore reefs being planned. The most accessible sites are six to 30 miles from major Gulf ports. The importance of the TPWD reefing program has to do with the undersea geography of the Gulf of Mexico. While its water supports thousands of different plants and marine life species that for part of their life cycle need to be attached to a hard surface, the bottom of the Gulf is mostly barren. Man-made structures like artificial reefs provide invertebrates like barnacles, corals and sponges the hard surfaces they need to thrive. Those species constitute the lower

continued from page 1 rung of the Gulf’s food chain, providing nutrients for snapper, grouper, mackerel, shark and other fish species. Texas’ artificial reef program is funded through donations from private and corporate partnerships and government grants, not from general tax revenue. SEA contributed $100,000 toward the preparation, towing and sinking of the Kinta S. “The Kinta S was just a rusty, outdated cargo vessel with no historical significance, but now she will live on as underwater habitat for marine life and an interesting destination for scuba divers,” said Dale Shively, director of the TPWD artificial reef program. Since it began in 1990, the Texas artificial reef program has grown into one of the largest such efforts in the nation, with 68 reef sites in the Gulf of Mexico ranging from 40-to360 acres in extent. The majority of the reefs are in federal water, which begins nine miles off the Texas coast. Some are up to 100 miles from shore, deepwater habitat for popular species like red snapper. The Kinta S, which once plied the Caribbean, was salvaged in Miami in June and towed to Orange Beach, Ala. where the Walter Marine Co. readied the ship for its voyage to Texas. That process included cleaning it and cutting holes in the hull and then fitting them with marine plywood covers that when removed would cause the ship to take on water. Facing backward, the Kinta S was pushed to Port Aransas by the tugboat Walter Marine tugboat Maranatha. The vessel left Alabama on Sept. 10 and arrived in Texas ahead of schedule last weekend. Sinking the vessel had to be delayed until Wednesday due to rough seas.

10.2.2014

features ISLAND WAVES

Latin Dance Night at the Island University

Multicultural Greek Council, Islander Cultural Alliance host Hispanic Heritage event

(from left to right) Sophomore, Lio Nunez, freshman, Morrisa Gonzales and sophomore, Darren Zaulan learn to salsa from instructor, Sloane Black, sophomore, during Latin Dance Night.

(bottom right): Senior, Derrian Campbell shows off his own moves throughout the night. (bottom left): Lio Nunez and Morissa Gonzales practice couplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; salsa with instructor Sloane Black as a guide.

photos by CONNER TICHOTA

features 6

10.2.2014

Bell Library’s Open House features Banned Book Week ISLAND WAVES

Eli Berke (left) and Katia Mandizabel portray banned book characters Sandman and Katniss Everdeen.

Characters from the banned book, “Where the Wild Things Are.” photos by Jamie Fink

by JAMIE FINK news reporter

exas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Mary and Jeff Bell Library held their annual Open House on Sept. 25. The purpose of Open House is to encourage students to utilize the

library for its resources available. “We see our annual Open House as a great opportunity to make the best first impression, especially since the freshmen classes have continued to grow year in and year out,” Jennifer Anderson, Assistant Librarian, said. “Planning the Open House is an important process,” Anderson said. “We always tend to keep our Open

House date around the same time, if not for sure, on the same week as Banned Book Week.” Anderson said the Open House allows the library to welcome in new freshmen or new students who have not had access to this caliber of a library. “We want our students to feel comfortable, and feel encouraged to come and spend their time studying and being active in the library,” Anderson said. Banned Book Week is an annual event that has taken place in the United States since 1982. “We recognize banned books to help raise an awareness in our community about the freedom of reading,” Anderson said. “We have become accustom to having those certain freedoms. However, there are many communities and countries where that’s not the case. This is our way as a campus to highlight the fact that there are books out there that are challenged and we have the right to read them.” The American Library Association and the Banned Books Organization set this year’s national theme as Comics and Graphic Novels. “This is extremely relevant because there are a lot of parents out there who think that just because a book is labeled a comic, that means it is suitable for children, and that’s just not the case,” Anderson said. “A lot of comic books and graphic novels are created for an older, more mature audience and these organizations thought this was a great topic to address.” Since the beginning of Banned Book Week, more than 11,300 books have been challenged. There were 307 challenges reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom in 2013, and even more are said to go unreported. “Every year whatever the theme is we always try to accommodate our students with not only banned books related to the theme, but also some

of the more popular banned books,” Anderson said. “This year’s theme however, seemed to have grabbed the attention of a lot of our students here on campus, because a lot of our comics and graphic novels were the first ones to go.” The following list shows the 10 most challenged titles of 2013: 1. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey. Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group, violence. 2. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison. Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence. 3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie. Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group. 4. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James. Reasons: Nudity, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group. 5. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. Reasons: Religious viewpoint, suited to age group. 6. A Bad Boy Can Be Good for A Girl, by Tanya Lee Stone. Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit. 7. Looking for Alaska, by John Green. Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/ smoking, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group. 8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky. Reasons: drugs/ alcohol/ smoking,homosexuality, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group. 9. Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. Reasons: Occult/ Satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit. 10. Bone (series), by Jeff Smith Reasons: Political viewpoint, racism, violence.

entertainment

10.2.2014

ISLAND WAVES

Want to dance?

photo courtesy of CCBailando.com

University hosts the 15th Bailando dance festival

by TREY SEAL entertainment reporter

he art of dancing has been a part of nearly every culture throughout the entirety of its long history. In celebration of this commonly shared passion, the Corpus Christi Concert Ballet in association with the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi department of Theatre and Dance are holding the 15th annual Bailando Dance Festival. The Bailando Dance Festival will run from Thursday, Oct. 2 to Saturday Oct. 4. The festival has various experts on

hand to teach a wide variety of styles including Ballet, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary and Russian Dance. There’s no need to worry about bringing a partner either as instructors will be pairing students together. On Thursday and Friday, a panel of expert judges will critique the work of choreographers from across Texas at the Adjudication concerts. The Adjudication concerts consist of groups of experienced choreographers performing for on stage. The judges will then select a few of their favorite groups to perform at a Saturday evening Gala Concert. Judges will include Randall Flinn, Susan

I Pledge to:

Judicialaffairs.tamucc.edu

Trevino and Dana Nicolay. Flinn is the founder and artistic director of Ad Deum Dance Company, a professional contemporary dance company based out of Houston, Texas. Flinn, who is well versed in ballet, has worked with groups such as Cirque De Soleil in addition to having been mentored by Patsy Swayze (mother of Patrick Swayze). Trevino is co-director of the University of the Incarnate Word dance department since 1977. The final judge, Nicolay, is a full tenured professor of dance at Sam Houston State University. The Saturday evening Gala Concert will be the grand finale of the Bailan-

“Demonstrate intergrity” and “Lead with courage”

do Dance Festival event. In addition to the aforementioned selected groups from the previous two nights, there will also be performances by the Island university’s Island Dance Company and the Corpus Christi Concert Ballet. Tickets to the festival will be $10 for the public and $5 for students. The master classes will be offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 2-3 in Island Hall. They are intended to be a crash course for both experienced and inexperienced students. Visit CCBailando.com for more information.

entertainment 8

10.2.2014

ENTERTAINMENT calender ISLAND WAVES

October 2

Book Fair

he Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will hold its Scholastic Book Fair from Thursday,

he Gay Straight Alliance will host a screening of the film Gay Latino.: Coming of Age which is a docu-drama journey into adulthood of three young men and their search for identity while dealing with issues of family, hyper masculinity, religion, culture, and life in L.A. The screening will be held October 7th at 6:30 in the TAMU-CC Welcome Center. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Courtney Beeksma at cbeeksman@islander.tamucc.edu

October 6

Oct. 2, through Friday, Oct. 10, in the ECDC Library, Room 210, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (closed weekends). Teaching resources and books for children in Spanish and English, ranging from pre-school to young adult, will be on sale. The ECDC Book Fair is a school fundraiser that promotes literacy by putting as many books into the hands of young readers as possible through book sales and donations from the “All for Books” literacy campaign. To preview books and fill out an online wish list, go to http:// bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/earlychldhddevctr. The book fair is open to the public. For more information, contact Julee Murphy at 361.825.2812; or by email, julee.murphy@tamucc.edu.

First Year Islanders (FYI) Writing Exhibit

exas A&M University-Corpus Christi will present a First Year Islanders (FYI) Writing Exhibit from Monday, Oct. 6, through Friday, Oct. 10, (location pending) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of the Hispanic Heritage Month events. This exhibit will showcase the narratives of diverse students in the First Year Composition and First Year Seminar to show the writing style of students. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Andrea Montalvo-Hamid at andrea. montalvo@tamucc.edu.

October 7

Gay Latino LA: Coming of Age

exas A&M University-Corpus Christi will host a Superhero Dinner, honoring Dr. Flavius Killebrew, President and CEO of Texas A&MCorpus Christi, on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Holiday Inn Marina, 707 N. Shoreline Blvd. Reception and silent auction

October 3-4 Bailando Dance Festival Gala Celebration Concert / Master Dance Classes

photos and info courtesy of TAMUCC.EDU

begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Table sponsorships available. Individual tickets are $75. Proceeds benefit the Young Leader Endowment. Email young.businessprofessionals@tamucc.edu for more info or see details at http://ideasweekcc.org.

October 14-17

t 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Select performances from the adjudication concerts will be showcased as well as performances by the hosts of the festival, Corpus Christi Concert Ballet, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Island Dance Company. Special guests will include principle dancers from Ballet Austin, Ad Deum Dance Company from Houston, and Urban Souls Dance Company from Houston. Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 students, and can be purchased at www.ccbailando.com or the box office one hour prior to the performance. For more information, go to www.ccbailando.com; or contact Jilissa Cotten ext. 3296; or e-mail dance@ccbailando.com. Master classes on Friday, Oct. 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. in the Dugan Wellness Center and Island Hall. Classes will be offered in a variety of dance styles such as ballet, Russian Folkdance, Musiccal theater, partnering, hip hop, contemporary, modern, and jazz. Guess teachers and professionals come from across Texas.

Theater Production: William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale

he Department of Theatre and Dance will present a production of William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale from Tuesday, Oct. 14, through Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Warren Theatre, located in the Center for the Arts. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. from Tuesday through Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. A tragi-comic fairytale, The Winter’s Tale weaves the mysterious and extraordinary story of a man consumed by an inexplicable jealousy that destroys his family, his kingdom and himself. Wracked with guilt, Leontes sets off a chain reaction of events that leads to a miraculous climax and the chance of redemption. Ticket prices are $10 for adults; $6.50 for students online or at the Box Office; and $5.50 for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi students with a valid SandDollar$ ID at the door. Group rates are also available. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to cla.tamucc.edu; or call Susie Jarvis at ext. 3077; or email Susie.jarvis@tamucc.edu.

entertainment

10.2.2014

Life in Hollywood

ISLAND WAVES

The story of musician Joey Alva

(from left to right) Public relations manager Joey Alva and comedian Andy Dick visit with Nev Schulman, host of MTV’s “Catfish”.

by TREY SEAL entertainment reporter

etting pulled out of a daily job and into the fast-paced environment of Hollywood, California sounds like the fictional narrative of countless movies. For Joey Alva, PR manager of comedian Andy Dick, it’s nothing more than a surreal reality. At 20 years old, Alva was working a customer support job at Results, a local “XM Radio” outbound call service “I looked at the screen in front of me and saw the name Andy Dick, I knew the name but couldn’t pinpoint just how I knew it ,” Alva said. When Dick answered the phone, Alva connected the dots by hearing Dick’s iconic voice. “I love the service, I love the service but call me back, I have to take a call,” Dick said. Going against company protocol, Alva wrote the number down and returned the call later that day. Over time, Dick and Alva became close friends and began communicating over the next year. “I told him that I was going to come out to Los Angeles for my 21st birthday to which he responded, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’,” Alva said. When the time came around, Alva showed up in Hollywood. While Andy Dick was on Dancing with the Stars, Alva stayed with a friend of the star. After a few months, Dick’s roommate moved out of his home, so he invited Alva to take up the now vacant room. He then began to start assisting with scheduling events and picking up sponsorships, which was the start of his current assistant career. “I utilize a lot of the business skills that my father taught me from his experience in the entertainment indus-

try,” Alva said. Alva overcame a lot of strife to arrive at his current position. His story began with a stressful childhood, which ended in attempt to run away to California as a teenager. Alva said, a man who barely knew him, Phillip Dickson, changed his life. Dickson who hosted a local late night talk show called “Chill with Phil” on Channel 7 KTOV. “There was one young man in my audience named Joey, he would call in every night trying to win prizes,” Dickson said. The two became close and Dickson would engage young Alva in conversation, Dickson then getting a better idea of his situation began to send him free food vouchers. “One day, I got a call from Child Protective Services saying that they had Joey over in Big Spring, Texas and he was trying to get away from his mother,” Dickson said. After his mother filed him as a runaway, Alva was stopped in Big Spring, Texas when workers asked if he wanted to call his mom, he refused and gave Dickson’s name as a potential caretaker. Dickson then decided he was going to adopt Alva as his own son. “Child Protective Service hated my guts, they did not want me to adopt that kid,” Dickson said. CPS tried everything they could to prevent Dickson from adopting Alva purely on the basis of him being an older bachelor. Dickson said he was given every reason imaginable from water damage to Alva’s room not being up to code. “They basically wanted to bounce him back between his mother and foster care for the rest of his young life,” Dickson said. Throughout the ordeal, Alva lived in a shelter called the Rainbow House

which Dickson described as a sort of halfway house for kids with no other place to go. After a long-winded fight and court case, Dickson was granted custody of Alva in 2006, a life-changing event for both of them. Alva’s persis-

photo by TREY SEAL

tence to fight for a better life eventually paid off for him and the skills that he learned have helped him to be the great PR assistant he is today. “I love him and couldn’t be more proud of him,” Dickson said.

sports 10

10.2.2014

Cross Country is victorious

ISLAND WAVES

Teams take first and third overall at Islanders Splash Staff Reports by GO ISLANDERS

he Texas A&M-Corpus Christi cross country teams wrapped up the Islanders Splash Friday evening at West Guth Park, with the men taking first overall as a team in the 8k race, while the women took third in the 5k. The men took five of the top10 spots in the 8k race. Philipp Baar impressed once again as he finished the race first overall with a time of 25:14.9. He was followed closely by Justin Adame (26:27.8) who finished fifth, while Cesar Gonzalez (26:31.1) took seventh. Edgar Martinez (26:35.6) and Logan Pittdman (26:37.8) finished ninth and tenth, respectively. “The guys ran really well,” head coach Shawn Flanagan said. “This was the best overall team performance we have had in awhile. Philipp [Baar] was strong all the way through — Cesar [Gonzalez], Justin [Adame], Logan [Pittdman] and Edgar [Martinez] all ran really strong

and I’m proud of how they finished.” For the women, Regina Salinas (18:23.5) led the Islanders with a sixth-place finish in the 5k. Senior Vanessa Galindo finished behind Salinas with a time of 18:36.5. Freshman Carissa Piñón finished the race 12th overall with a time of 18:59.0 while Jasmine Boutte (19:12.7), Liz Romo (19:18.4), Shelby Polasek (19:25.4) and Molly Tucker (19:48.4) finished 15th through 18th, respectively. “I thought our women ran 110 percent better than they did last weekend,” Flanagan said. “Last time out Sam Houston beat us by about 100 points and they beat us by just 15 today.” For the latest information, follow Islanders Cross Country on Twitter and Instagram (@IslandersTFXC) and Facebook (Texas A&M Corpus Christi Track & Field/Cross Country).

Islanders Cross Country team participates in the Islanders Splash.

Men’s 8 km Run Team Division I Scores:

photo courtesy of GO ISLANDERS

Women's 5 km Run Team Division I Results:

1-Texas A&M-Corpus Christi-32 1-Sam Houston State-34 2-Houston-50 2-Houston-43 3-Sam Houston State-70 3-Texas A&M-Corpus Christi-56 4-Texas-Pan American-112 4-Texas-Pan American-102 5-Prairie View-137 5-Texas Southern-151 6-Texas Southern-144 6-Prairie View-159

TENNIS TOURNAMENT Though proceeds went to the tennis teams, the Islanders were not awarded anything during the tournament. “The Islanders don’t win anything for [their play] during the tournament, as that isn’t legal,” Figueiredo said. Go Islanders said that Charlie Hicks, employee of Mercedes-Benz import shop car dealership, has been one of the pivotal sponsors of the Islanders’ tennis programs. With his donations, Hicks helped the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Championships to

continued from page 1 become a success, both for the Island University and for the community around it. Dr. Mike Rodriguez, who works in the Corpus Christi area, came out victorious on the men’s side against Reese Buchanan. Carlotta Santos fell short of the title, losing to Alexandra Williams. Both matches were exciting, hard-fought contests. Both Rodriguez and Williams will now be advancing to the national round of the MercedesBenz championships. The national rounds will be held in Pinehurst, North Carolina. The ultimate

prize awarded to the winner of the competition is a CIP package. The prize will be presented to the victor during the 2015 U.S. Open, which will take place in New York City. Both the men’s and women’s tennis programs have achieved a high level of success over the past few seasons. In the 2013 season, both squads were able to advance to the NCAA championships. The Island University was one of only 39 schools around the nation to accomplish this feat.

sports

10.2.2014

Islanders volleyball ISLAND WAVES

defeats Incarnate Word in home opener

Islander volleyball team huddles with fans in celebration of their win.

by JEREMY PAPE sports reporter

he Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders won agaisnt the Incarnate Word Cardinals on Sept. 18, in the Dugan Wellness Center at the Island University. The Cardinals got out to a 4-0 lead in the first set before the Islanders got on the board. With some very strong plays and great effort, the Islanders were able to tie the first set at 7.

Neither side was able to get on a big run during the first part of the match. The lead changed hands, and the Islanders led 16-15 before the Cardinals took their first timeout of the contest. The Islanders excelled at blocking, scoring some key points in the first set on those blocks. The Islanders found their momentum late in the set, scoring 8 of the last 9 points during a fantastic run to give them a 25-18 win in the set.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR ACHIEVE PARTNER

To learn more or become an Achieve Partner please visit achievepartnership.tamucc.edu

to call a timeout to regroup. The timeout seemed to give the Cardinals renewed hope, as they were able to cut the deficit to a more manageable 15-13. As volleyball sets so often are, the second set in this match was a back-and-forth affair. Three straight points by the Islanders forced the Cardinals to call a timeout. The Islanders avoided giving up a big run to the Cardinals following the timeout, and took control of the set and the match, winning the second set 2515 and taking a commanding 2-0 lead into the locker room. After the halftime break, the Cardinals looked energized and ready to try to get back into the thick of things. Incarnate Word got out to a 7-4 advantage, somewhat quieting the energetic home fans. As they had done all match, the Islanders proved their resilience as a squad, battling back to a 9-9 tie. The Cardinals fought for a 1513 advantage in the third set. Incarnate Word was able to get some momentum going when the most needed to, grabbing a 19-15 advantage that forced the Islanders to use a timeout. The Cardinals rode the momentum, proving they were in this match for the long haul and winning the set 25-18. The beginning of the fourth set saw the Islanders return to the form they had previously shown, as the team got out to a 6-1 advantage. The Cardinals did not seem to have an answer for what the Islanders were doing.The Islanders got out to an 11-4 advantage before photo courtesy of GO ISLANDERS Incarnate Word called a timeout, looking to change the momentum. The second set started quite The Islanders looked determined differently, as the Islanders were able to keep their steady advantage. The to make smart plays to get out to a Cardinals used their second and final 7-4 advantage. The Cardinals would allotted timeout for the set after the not simply lie down, as they were Islanders battled their way to a 19-9 able to get the next three points in lead. Ultimately, the Islanders won the set to tie it up at 7 apiece. the final set by a score of 25-12. The crowd inside the Dugan was Islanders head coach Tony Graystone loud and proud in their support of was contacted for comment, but did the home team, and the team kept not respond. giving the crowd something to cheer The Islanders’ next home game about in the set, as they got out to a is Oct. 4, against Houston Baptist 13-8 lead that forced the Cardinals University.

ads 12

ISLAND WAVES

10.2.2014

Island Waves

Te x a s A & M Un i ve r s i t y - C o r p u s C h r i s t i

student newspaper

Now Hiring News Reporter Sports Reporter Entertainment Reporter Features Reporter Photographer applications now being accepted career-services.tamucc.edu contact us in the newsroom (361) 825-5862 â&#x20AC;˘ editor@tamucc.edu