Volume 25 Issue 32 by Island Waves

NEW STUDENT HOUSING opening fall 2015

LIV EMOM ENTU MV I LL AG E .COM

Rendering subject to change.

Welcome the holidays

University to celebrate Islander Lights tradition

University graduate sings with law ﬁrm

PAGE 4

The holiday decor in the Woo Sung Lee Plaza during the 2013 Islander Lights .

by NATALLY ECHEVERRIA news reporter

t’s almost that time of the year again, cold breeze and holiday tunes. But for the Corpus Christi Islanders, it is also time for the annual Islander Lights on Friday, Nov. 21 beginning at 5 p.m. at the CI courtyard and Lee Plaza hosted by The Division of Student Engagement and Success. Islander Lights is in its 9th year of illuminating the Island University with its vibrant blue and green lights

photo courtesy ofTAMUCC Flickr

surrounding most of the campus. Along with multiple activity tables from different organizations, refreshments, games, dancing and of course Santa Claus. Islander lights has become a tradition said Director of University Center and Student Activities Lisa Perez not, just for the Island University, but for the entire city of Corpus Christi. “It gives [Texas A&M Corpus Christi] an opportunity to give back to the community, plus the students love it,” Perez said.

This Islander tradition began in 2005 by an idea from the Student Government Association at that time. “They wanted to show that the university was giving back,” Perez said. With just the Performing Arts Center and Corpus Christi Hall and the Christmas tree being lit up and thanks to grants donated to the university, the first Islander Lights event was a success by raising more than $1,000 donation money. “Every year we try to grow,” Perez said. see ISLANDER LIGHTS on page 5

displaying split opinions about the Dining Hall’s meal options and pricing structure. Island Waves conducted an online, anonymous survey of Islander students to gage their opinions of the Dining Hall. The survey determined whether or not participants were on campus residents, ate in the Dining Hall, liked the food and/or liked the pricing options available.

A total of 45 students participated in the survey. Twenty-three participants were on campus residents and 22 were commuter students. One of the first detailed survey questions asked students whether or not they were satisfied with the current meal plan options.

Inside the world of Human Trafﬁcking

PAGE 8

Dinner is Served Students weigh in on Dining Hall service by CONNER TICHOTA editor in chief

ven before its doors were open, the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Dining Hall was a source of controversy for students. Some supported the upcoming mandatory meal plans for university residents while others vehemently opposed it. One semester later, students are still

see DINNER IS SERVED on page 3

Women’s basketball: Beach Night PAGE 11 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 32

editorial 2 ISLAND WAVES

a student publication of

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

island waves staff CONNER TICHOTA 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

JESSE DELEON

graduate adviser

AMY KOTULSKI staff adviser

11.20.2014

Men face pressure too by NATALLY ECHEVERRIA news reporter

here is a hidden social pressure that people do not realize is lurking in the minds of many men. It is very typical for women to look a certain way and to always act in a proper manner, however men undergo the similar social pressures. Social pressures are combined pressures that society expects out of people such as, socioeconomic pressures, peer pressure and an underlying expectation for, specifically, men to have a certain masculinity based off of media, magazines and television. Freshman Steve Gonzalez shares his views on what men expect from women through a social standard. “I think most men want a girl with looks pretty face, good body and a great personality. It is almost impossible to find, but yet guys expect that in girls,” Gonzalez said. “Girls judge guys just as much as guys judge girls.” Just as men have a certain view of the “ideal” woman, women also have a social standard for men. “I expect a guy to have good hygiene, but the biggest thing I expect is for him to be a gentleman,” Paloma Esparza said. Men feel these pressures from women, trying to be as good looking as men think women want them. “Not all women care about looks. Sometimes we just tend to follow the social flow,” Esparza said. Media outlets are often blamed for these social standards by depicting men as masculine and powerful. In almost every ad that is directed toward a male audience, there is a handsome male that

photo courtesy of online.wsj.com

is toned and has aspects of dominance, with usually a female that is lean and attractive being attracted to the male lead, as if to symbolize that if men look and act that way, they will be able to win over a “gorgeous” woman. Because of these media stereotypes of men, men begin to struggle with their self-image and confidence striving to look and act like what society thinks is acceptable in a male. Male students on campus are becoming aware of these social standards set for them by society. “As a male, a social pressure I face is to be like a top dog. It’s something every guy struggles with, especially in college,” freshman Chris Hargis said. Although the social pressures are in everybody’s day the effects of dealing with them can be hard at times. But

there are many ways to build up your confidence and self-esteem and have the ability to stand against these social gender stereotypes. Here at the Island University students with their Sand dollar ID have free counseling sessions at the Counseling Center located in the Driftwood Building to assist them in any personal issue students may be having. The Counseling Center offers personal consultations, group counseling and psychiatric services and also if a student just needs someone to talk to. The counselors are sure to help any student struggling with the effects of social pressures. For more information regarding the services provided by the counseling center students may contact the counseling center office by phone at: (361) 825-2703.

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.

Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have

Write to us. Send letters to Editor@tamucc.edu

news

11.20.2014

ISLAND WAVES

photo illustration courtesy of SURVEYMONKEY.COM

Pie charts depicting responses Island University students gave to the survey posted by Island Waves regarding the Dining Hall.

DINNER IS SERVED “I have way too many meals and can never get them in, but I was required to purchase the gold plan because I live in a dorm,” participant 43 said. “I hate that I can only exchange one meal per day on campus and the menu options are incredibly limited. The meal plan system was very poorly thought out and needs to be revised.” Currently there are currently three meal plans available to students: silver, gold and platinum. Students living in the Camden apartments are required to purchase a silver meal plan, which covers 10 meals per week. Students living in the dorms require a gold meal plan with 14 meals per week. The platinum plan is an upgraded package that provides 19 meals per week. Similar to participant 43, 18 other students expressed dissatisfaction with their current meal plan options. Director of University Services Reginald Wade said university services and Chartwells have already worked to make changes and improve dining programs. “We’ve made some changes to the meal plan,” Wade said. “For example we added the meal exchange program or meal exchange menu I should say.” The meal plan exchange allows students with meal plans to use their credits or ‘swipes’ on specific items at other dining locations on campus including Starbucks, Subway and Einstein’s. Some of the changes have been made to allow commuters and faculty/staff members who purchase

continued from page 1 meals to participate in this meal exchange program. “[Commuters and faculty/staff] can use their swipes any way they like,” Wade said. Unlike resident students, commuters have the option use their swipes to purchase friends and guest food as well. Resident students are still restricted to using dining dollars in order to purchase food for others. “With the residents there’s this tier price that we have involved,” Wade said. “The residents get our best pricing for the dining hall. That price is basically based on utilizing the dining hall, because we do give them dining dollars associated with that meal plan to be used at Starbucks, Subway, Einstein’s, etc.” Alongside concerns over the various meal plans, survey participants also expressed dissatisfaction with the food options offered in the Dining Hall. Six participants said they were satisfied with the options available. Fifteen said they were not and 23 said they wished different options were available. “The dining hall makes me so mad because [the Island University] is supposed to have gluten-free food for those who have celiac disease,” survey participant and Islander Miranda Garcia said. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten products can lead to intestinal damage and a series of

other long-term health effects. “I walked in, paid $9, because this [ ] lady told me there were [gluten free] options…and then after I paid she told me the options were [ ] things that would make me deathly sick,” Garcia said. “The dining hall needs real gluten free, dairy free, etc. options because, I’m sorry, I need to eat on campus and there is literally nothing I can eat.” Garcia does not currently live on campus. She said she is responsible for buying and preparing her own food to accommodate her gluten-free diet. “Last year I lived on campus and honestly it was really hard to live in a dorm and be gluten free, because I didn’t really have my own kitchen... and my fridge was so small,” Garcia said. “That’s why it would be so nice if the campus had gluten free options, even just a few. Then I wouldn’t stress about trying to find something on campus to eat, when I should be worrying more about my studies.” Island Waves was unable to confirm whether or not a gluten-free menu is provided at the Dining Hall. In response to food variety, Wade said the Dining Hall currently operates on a 60 menu cycle swapping out various items and dishes periodically. “The variety should be there,” Wade said. “That’s one of the reasons I go to the dining hall quite frequently just to make sure that what they are promising is what our students are getting.” One of the final questions on Island

Waves’ survey asked students what their opinion was on the pricing at the Dining Hall. “You come in for lunch, nine bucks all you care to eat,” Wade said. “It’s the best deal in town.” Survey participants seemed to disagree. Forty-three out of 45 participants said no when asked if they like the pricing in the Dining Hall. Only two participants said yes. While immediate changes may not be seen within the Dining Hall, Wade said that the re-opening of the University Center will prompt more changes. “[There will be] an uphill battle to get them into the dining hall when the new UC comes back up, because it’s going to be a market change,” Wade said. “I think students are going to love it… It should be a great menu for them.” Wade also said he will be working with Chartwells, the current foodservice provider, to develop a strategy and pricing options to help draw students back into the Dining Hall when the UC is operational again. “I think the first year the UC is open, it’s going to be that gathering place,” Wade said. “So I don’t know if there is anything we can do to offset that opening. I expect it to be busy.” For more information regarding the Dining Hall, meal plan, pricing and food options visit www. dineoncampus.com.

news 4

11.20.2014

ISLAND WAVES

Island University graduate lands job at law firm in Vermont by STERLEN KEMP contributing writer

exas A&M University-Corpus Christi graduate Megan Sigur recently accepted an associate attorney position at Paul Frank and Collins, an insurance services and ligation law firm in Burlington, Vermont. Sigur graduated Island University magna cum laude in 2008. She received a Bachelors of Arts in history and a minor in philosophy. She then went on to continue her education and graduated magna cum laude from Vermont Law School in 2012. Before joining the team in Vermont, Sigur worked as a judicial law clerk for the New Hampshire Superior Court in Laconia, New Hampshire. Here, she gained experience in an array of legal issues ranging from criminal to civil disputes. Sigur gives credit to her classes in history and philosophy at the Island University for helping her gain critical thinking skills that are imperative for a career in law. She also says that the skills she learned at the Island University, such as writing, has helped her excel at her law school in Vermont. “I owe a great deal of credit to the history and philosophy departments at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi,” Sigur said. “My upper level classes, in particular, really helped hone my writing and critical thinking skills to help prepare me for my

success in law school.” A senior lawyer within the law firm’s insurance division, Nolan Burkhouse had positive feedback about Sigur. “Ms. Sigur is exceptionally bright and has excelled in her early tests,” Burkhouse said. “We are excited to have her on our team and look forward to her advancing her career at Paul Frank and Collins.” Paul Frank and Collins is an awardwinning law firm that is based in Burlington, Vermont. It started off as a small general practice group in 1968, with its founders Allan Paul, Joe Frank and Peter Collins. Today, Paul Frank and Collins Attorneys at Law, represents numerous Fortune 500 companies from around the world. They offer a list services from immigration law to insurance law and claim consultation. At only 28-years old, Megan Sigur is on her way to the top. She completed her bar admissions in 2012 and is certified in the State of New Hampshire. She is also apart of numerous professional organizations including the New Hampshire Bar Association. Her job at Paul Frank and Collins, primarily focuses on advising and defending insurers, domestically and in Europe. Sigur believes that students should take full advantage of their time in college. She says that students should step outside of their comfort zones and explore other things even if they seem hard or difficult.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Graduate-Megan Sigur.

“Your college experience is largely what you make of it,” Sigur said. “Rather than striving to take the easiest classes that require the least amount of effort, challenge yourself by taking classes outside of your

photo courtesy of PCLW.COM

comfort zone. You may be surprised to uncover interests and abilities you never knew you had.”

College of Business Develops Marketing Plan for Charlie’s Place 50th Anniversary by STERLIN KEMP contributing writer

he students from the College of Business at Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi are putting the skills and knowledge they have learned in the classroom into action. The College of Business, led by professor of marketing and entrepreneurship Dr. Kent Byus, will be constructing a one-year marketing plan for Charlie’s Place 50th Anniversary. Charlie’s Place is the only local drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Corpus Christi. “This one-year plan is at the very strategic level,” Byus said. “What the students will identify, is where the organization’s current marketing strategy exist and make recommendations about marketing aspects such as social media and etc.” Byus wants to use this project as a way to help students gain real-world experience as opposed to textbook case studies.

Students are given the opportunity to be truly hands-on with the information they have received in their Marketing 4350 Policies and Problems course. “The results of this particular class’ work will be utilized in additional classes over the course of the next year such as the Guerilla Marketing class, which I teach during the spring,” Byus said. “I will use some of the strategic issues to develop a guerilla marketing campaign that will tie into Charlie’s Place 50th Anniversary.” The Coastal Bend Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Center, also known as Charlie’s Place, was found in 1965 by Charlie Acklen, who devoted his life to helping and assisting those who were unable to help themselves due to alcohol or drug addictions. Chief Executive Officer Amy Granberry now runs the non-profit organization. “It’s a great partnership. We’re excited to have the help,” Granberry said. “As a non-profit organization, it’s a large undertaking, but with the

help of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s marketing students, it will be an awesome opportunity that will benefit Charlie’s Place in the future.” During its early years, Charlie’s Place began as a small halfway house that was opened 24 hours for patients suffering from alcoholism. Today, the organization has treated thousands of patients, focusing on the belief that a person cannot maintain sobriety until three aspects of addiction have been healed: the mind, the body and the spirit. “Though drug and alcohol treatment is hard to measure, more than 50 percent of our patients report having success through our program,” Granberry said. The students from Dr. Byus’ marketing class met with the staff and faculty of Charlie’s Place last month to understand the goals for their project. The purpose is for the students to formulate a plan that will provide the organization with the ability to get them to their goals faster than they

otherwise would. This project will also offer students real-life experience in the field of marketing business by giving them the opportunity to come up with solutions to real problems. This experience will benefit them as they progress within their careers and education. Marketing 4350 Policies and Problems is only one of the four phases the College of Business will use over the next few semesters as apart of Charlie’s Place marketing strategy plan. The other phases will consist of courses in Marketing 3315: Promotional Strategy, Marketing 3325: Guerilla Marketing and Marketing 4320: Marketing Research. In addition to offering a marketing strategy and advice, the students will also try to bring awareness to Charlie’s Place by attracting volunteers and donations to the organization. For more information about Charlie’s Place Recovery Center and how to help, visit www. charliesplaceonline.com

features

11.20.2014

ISLAND WAVES

ISLANDER LIGHTS This year there will be a new lighted building added to the lighting ceremony. The Student Services Building will now be included as the directors try to add a new building every year to hopefully one day illuminate the entire campus. “Usually we have a fun run before that kicks off the event, but because it is so close to Thanksgiving and the Turkey Trout we didn’t wanna have two runs back to back,” Amy Kotulski, Assistant Director of University

continued from PAGE 1 Center and Student Activities said. “[But] recreational sports helps because this year we will have a Zumba instructor.” So this will also be a new event for Islander Lights. One of the main ways that the Island University tries to give back is by having the Toys for Tots toy collection and having a fundraiser donated to the community. “Last year we donated 482 toys and 597 dollars to the Marine Core

Toys for Tots,” Kotulski said. Kotulski said that their biggest goal is to donate as many toys and money as possible, but also to create that sense of community with the students giving them a piece of home during the holiday season and having the community come together to celebrate together. In case there is in climate weather the events will continue in the first floor of the O’Connor building. But even if it is raining the lighting

ceremony will continue outside at 6:30 p.m. at Lee Plaza. Although this event is free all who are planning to attend, it is encouraged to bring a toy to donate for the Toys for Tots foundation or any monetary donation to help the community will be greatly appreciated. Also if it isn’t possible to make the event but students would still like to donate a toy, stop by Sandpiper 201 and make a contribution.

A list of things to do in the Corpus Christi area that won’t bust your wallet by DANIELA CAMPOS features reporter For those who are new to Corpus Christi you have probably discovered that it’s not as lively and exciting as

THE BEACH. Pretty much a given. The

water is always a nice temperature the sand is what a student would expect sand to be and if one is willing to spend the $20 on gas they can drive to Port Aransas where the water is a little bluer and the sand is sandier. Take friends, take a football or a volleyball and spend the day hanging out. Best of all? It’s free. THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM. There is actually a bus that will take students from campus to the aquarium which is free for students who have proper sanddollar ID. The aquarium is a great group outing, great for dates or if one just wants to be by themselves and enjoy the exhibits the aquarium has to offer. Students will most likely spend the $20 just to cover the admission ticket cost but it’s an all day ticket and can someone really put a price on education and the environment? Tip: take a school ID as they might offer some discounts for college students.

THE ART MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS.

The museum is way cheaper than the aquarium and just as fun. And by cheaper, free. Yes, free. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi students get in for free just take a sanddollar card. Save that $20 bucks for a coffee from Hester’s a café that is conveniently located inside the museum. The art museum always features local artists and their works of art. The museum always has a theme going on. For this month it’s all about Rock’n’Roll. THE USS LEXINGTON. History majors will love this as well as plane fanatics. Located next to the aquarium, admission is $13.95 and parking is $3.50. Corpus Christi may be small, but doesn’t mean it isn’t full of history. Go in the colder months just because it’s a large ship and air conditioning isn’t an option. And for those who love a good ghost story the USS Lexington is infamous for haunted sightings and has even been featured in Ghost Hunters. Spooky

let’s say Austin or San Antonio. For those who have lived here most of your life like I have you probably already knew that. But that’s not completely true. There are actually plenty of cool things that happen in Corpus things that won’t actually cost

you more than that crumpled twenty dollar bill in your pocket. And if you’re a college student struggling to pay your way through school like I am then that twenty dollar bill you have is probably the only thing you have to keep you

entertained until the end of the month when your parents mercifully grant you a couple bucks to keep you fed and alive. Here’s the list my friends the top twenty things broke college students can do in such a small city.

and educational.

dollar students get to sit in this nice theatre that isn’t dirty contrary to popular belief and watch a movie they’ve been wanting to see but couldn’t. And since it’s not a very populated area, chances are, students will have the theater to themselves so none of those crying babies, phone alerts and talkative people. Just one person, a theater and a really good movie. FUNTRACKERS. If a student has a need for speed, Funtrackers is the place to go. They have go karts, bumper boats, mini golf and batting cages. $5 per game and $7.50 for the batting cages. It is fun for all ages, has an arcade with games that are always being updated and a great way to make some good memories. HOUSE OF ROCK. The House of Rock is pretty literal in its name when it comes to what it’s all about. Rock. Anyone 21 and up can enjoy a draft beer and jam out to some music. Check out their website for upcoming shows and events House of Rock may have going on that night. CONCRETE STREET. It’s similar to House of Rock. Students 21 and up can enjoy a drink, eat good food, and enjoy live music. They have concerts going on almost every month so check out their website for a full list of who’s performing and ticket prices.

a drink and a fresh baked apple pie is always a classic meal.

THE SOUTH TEXAS BOTANICAL GARDENS. A super cheap price of $6

for college students (take sanddollar ID), and a day to see what Mother Nature has blessed the Earth with. Students can see tropical and native birds, a wide variety of flora, a lean, mean, green iguana Ivan “The Terrible”and so much more. Students be advised to go on a cloudy day, wear proper walking shoes and bring water. THE WHATABURGER FIELD. Corpus is pretty much the all American city and what better way to be American than watch a good all American sport? Baseball. Tickets are $12-$14 and right now the Hooks are doing well in the season.

THE ICERAYS AT THE AMERICAN BANK CENTER. Believe it or not

Corpus actually has a hockey team and it’s really popular. Tickets are roughly $14 + tax. Students can go online and find out the schedule as they usually play Fridays and Saturdays. And if students stay after the game is over sometimes they open up the rink to the public and students can go ice skating. BOWLING. Saratoga Lanes is a Bowling Alley that will make anyone want to yell STRIKE. College nights are on Tuesdays from 8 p.m. to closing for only $6.99 which means unlimited bowling from 8p.m. to midnight. Just present a school ID and then students can show off their skills in bowling. ANTIQUING. A plaza entirely dedicated to blasts from the past and antique collectibles that are super cheap, and super memorable. Try Renaissance located on 4317 S Alameda St. Two floors of pure bliss ranging from old vintage cameras to forever classic and stylish wedding dresses. DOLLAR MOVIES. The dollar movies are one of those things that are surprisingly cool and fun. For one

RENTING PADDLEBOATS AND SURRIES. Down Ocean Dr. there is

a trailer Fun Time Rentals that rents paddleboats and surries: a four wheel cycle. $20 for an hour, $15 for half an hour for a trip on the bay or on the sidewalks of Ocean Dr. WHATABURGER BY THE BAY. For those who aren’t aware Whataburger was actually founded in Corpus Christi. Whataburger on the Bay is on Ocean Dr., and is a two story Whataburger joint with a view of the ocean. Meals are usually under $10 depending on what a student may get. A number one with French fries,

PICNICS BY THE WATER GARDENS.

For $20, a student can buy bread, cheese, assorted meat, some fruit, a cheap basket and drive to the Water Gardens located near the Art Museum. Take a blanket, enjoy the breeze, eat some food and have a good time. Every month, Corpus Christi Drive-In Movie Theater is held there at the Water Gardens. Admission is free. This month, Grease Sing Along will be on the big screen at 8 p.m. on November 14th. MINIATURE GOLF. If Funtracker’s miniature golf course is too miniature for students try Treasure Island Golf and Games where golf is their game. A game is $7 for 18 holes of golf goodness. Located on 14041 S Padre Island Dr. mini golf is a good way to spend $20. BUC DAYS. Buc Days Festival and Carnival is going to happen on April 23 through May 3. It’s an annual carnival that is a Corpus Christi tradition. Wristbands for all the rides are $20, and they have a lot of rides to choose from. So if anyone likes carnivals, Buc Days is the place to be. TANGO TEA ROOM. All peace lovers and hippies unite. This is the place to go for some vegan soy gluten free-everything. The plaza consists of a café, an art gallery, clothes shop and more. The food and drinks are good, the people are mellow, and if a student wants to sit, relax and study, Tango Tea room is there. WALK THE HARBOR BRIDGE. The last item on the list of 20 things to do under $20 is free and is something that is a really cool thing to experience. At night time when the sun sets the lights on the bridge turn on. It’s really a sight to see. On the bridge there is a walkway for people to use. It’s good exercise and it’s an adventure one can share with friends and best of all: it’s free.

ads 6

11.20.2014

ISLAND WAVES

MYASPENHEIGHTS.COM/INTERESTLIST

12.1.2014 The biggest is getting bigger.

entertainment

11.20.2014

ISLAND WAVES

2 MINUTE PHOTO

Double Trouble

2 20A

by TREY SEAL entertainment reporter

n the early 1900’s, photography was a hobby reserved for only the most dedicated enthusiasts. By purchasing a camera, a photographer had two options when it came to seeing their final results. They would either invest in a set of chemicals to set up a dark room or they would mail the film off at a kiosk for a period of up to two weeks. This was considered the standard procedure, and in addition to cost, stood as a barrier for the average consumer. That all changed when Dr. Edwin Land, owner of an optics company known as Polaroid changed history forever. Land, a hobbyist photographer, was walking on a beach with his young daughter, taking the occasional photo along the trek. When the young girl asked to see the photo he had just taken, he responded that she’d have to wait. “Why can’t I see it now?” she responded. Land knew the answer but he proceeded to ask himself: “why not?” He organized a group of chemists and engineers to help him in his pursuit of inventing an instant photo technology. The result of their tireless labor was the Polaroid Land Camera. He unveiled his invention to the world on Feb. 21, 1947 at a meeting for the Optical Society of America. The first consumer Polaroid camera known as the Land Camera 95 premiered at Jordan Marsh department stores in Boston for $89.75. The machine was large, bulky and featured accordion style spacing between the lens and the film. None of those factors stopped the camera from being a success though. In its first year, Polaroid made $5 million from the Land Camera alone. The way the film worked was innovative. By utilizing a light sensitive sheet of paper and a positive paper containing a developing chemical the two would combine to start a quick development process in the user’s hand. After

one minute, the user would separate the top layer negative from the bottom positive to reveal a pristine black and white photo. The film that launched the Polaroid into modern pop culture was its 1972 integral film, which went from black to color in front of your eyes. The first camera to utilize this was the Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera. The camera was a hit and resulted in notable artists such as Andy Warhol and photographic artist Ansel Adams. Warhol utilized the films matte frame nature to take pictures of him and the many celebrity guests who entered his home. The Polaroid reigned as the gold standard for instant photography until the emergence of the digital age of cameras. With the onset of the millennium, Polaroid fell into an identity crisis. It tried making digital cameras, instant film cameras that came in wacky shapes and even celebrity endorsements from top artists like Britney Spears. The drop in sales raised the cost of materials, which increasingly turned the Polaroid into a hobbyist camera. After emerging from bankruptcy and being placed under new management, Polaroid halted production of all instant film in 2008. Three days before the final factory could be demolished, a group of hobbyists banded together to buy it and save the jobs of the employees who called it home. This group founded the organization The Impossible Project, the only modern source of instant film for Polaroid cameras. Alex Holbrook, marketing communications manager for the Impossible Project, said no recipes or chemicals were left behind. The team and the factory workers who they hired had to re-engineer the entire formula from scratch. The team released the first batch of film in 2010. Although it was imperfect, the classic cameras were given new life. The Impossible Project now sells five film stocks for four different types of Polaroid camera. Now on its

Bobby’s World second revision, Impossible’s film has about 30 seconds to be put in darkness upon ejecting from the camera. It has a third revision in the works with a 20-minute development time. The ultimate goal is to get it back down to the original film’s one to two minute development time. Holbrook said instant film is far from dead. Sales of Polaroid film have in fact doubled in the second half of 2014 and the team plans to launch its own modern camera next year with modern features such as Bluetooth wireless control. Holbrook attributes 40% of sales to a market comprised of young people aged between 25 and 34 years old with the fastest growing segment being the 18-24 year old market. The cost of entry into the Polaroid market isn’t nearly what it used to be. Cameras that were once several hundred dollars can now be found on eBay and garage sales from $5 to $50. Impossible’s film comes in at $24 for a pack of eight which still keeps it in the hobbyist/novelty market but still a worthwhile investment. The resulting photos often look as if they were

Photos by TREY SEAL

sent 20 years back in time. Video Production professor Bobby Lewis, a self-proclaimed child of the seventies and digital imaging expert still sees the magic of instant photography in the modern age. “The funny thing about Polaroids being instant, is that they’re not really instant at all, especially when comparing them to modern digital cameras such as a DSLR or smartphone,” Lewis said. “When I was kid, watching a polaroid develop in front of your eyes was special. There is something magical about seeing a photo emerge from a blank white sheet. Today, photos are deleted as fast as they are taken. We upload them to Facebook, garner some likes and then forget about them. You can take 100 photos on an iPhone and not a single one of them will compare to the one magic shot you took with a sheet of instant film.” Instant film has had a long, tumultuous journey to arrive at its current position, but through the support and passion of photographers everywhere, future generations will understand the beauty of a tangible photo sitting in their hands.

special 8

11.20.2014

University tackles Human Trafficking ISLAND WAVES

by JAMIE FINK news reporter

ith standing room only, students, faculty and special guests from all across Corpus Christi, packed into the Warren Theater on the campus of Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi for the Combating Human Trafficking symposium. The symposium was an event sponsored by the World Affairs Council of America in help with A&MCorpus Christi’s Communication and Media department and Communication Club. The symposium addressed the global issue of human trafficking. Attendees were offered the opportunity to better understand the issue through film, guest speakers and a panel who was there to answer any questions. A&M- Corpus Christi student, Brittany Holland, a junior Communication major, was one of the students responsible for hosting the symposium alongside liberal arts professor Dr. Anantha Babbili. “Human trafficking advocacy is something I am very passionate about,” said Holland. There are three reasons why spreading advocacy on human trafficking and modern day slavery is important. First, people don’t know very much about human trafficking if at all. “I once had someone ask me if it was just a different type of vehicle traffic before,” Holland said, “which something like this is clearly not.” Second, people thinking of human trafficking as an international issue only and not a domestic issue. Texas is one of the top states in the country for human and sex trafficking. Lastly, people think of human trafficking as something that was simply created by movie producers and directors in order to make movie, such as the popular film “Taken” featuring Liam Neeson. “Our main goal here today was to spread awareness on the subject and to share valuable knowledge and to help us get the word out to others,” Holland said. “There are several local organizations doing a lot with human trafficking.” Babbili began the symposium by showing the film “Not My Life,” a documentary film about human trafficking and modern day slavery. The film elaborated on the stories of people, mainly children and young adults, who had been kidnapped and sold into human trafficking rings all over the world, even here in the United States. The film helped set the tone and atmosphere for the symposium’s keynote speaker, Mrs. Katina Stith, who was a survivor of sex trafficking. “I was so nervous to even come and speak to you all today, but with

Judge Brent Chesney, one of the guest panelists during the symposium, encourages the audience to make human trafficking a public issue.

the help of my prayer warriors and my husband, I’m proud to stand here today and tell you my story,” Stith said. Stith began explaining her life growing up in Virginia before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, where she was taken from her own home one day. Stith explained how important it was to recognize the signs of human trafficking. “Students, I am pleading with you not to take this lightly. Do not feel like this is something that only happens overseas,” said Stith. “I was the girl next door, and it’s important for you all to realize [that] and that someone was watching. This is something that happens right here in Corpus, Houston, California and all across the United States.” Stith closed her story by urging the audience to become involved with any organization in the bend area that helps with victims, both present and past, which have experienced the life of human and sex trafficking. After Stith gave her life testimony and her experience with trafficking, Babbili then opened the floor to the panel of remaining guest speakers: Judge Brent Chesney, Todd Latiolais,

Texas State Rep. Todd Hunter addresses the crowd during the symposium about what his actions and plans are for human trafficking within the state of Texas.

CHILDREN AT RISK representative, and Texas State Representative Todd Hunter. Hunter addressed the crowd with his reassurance that Texas is helping lead the frontier of fighting human trafficking within the United States. “Human trafficking is the prostitution and slavery of children,” Hunter said. “It’s occurring in Texas. It shouldn’t occur any place. As we are sitting in this room, it’s happening outside.” In 2009, Hunter returned to the Texas legislature. Ever since his return, Hunter has been fighting to create and pass laws to help abolish human trafficking and keep it out of Texas. “The number one drop of point for human trafficking in the United States, is Interstate 10,” Hunter said. Interstate 10 crosses the country between Jacksonville, Fla., to Los Angeles, Calif., with the longest part of the interstate crossing none other than Texas. In 2013, Hunter offered a statewide joint committee to come up with an act against anti-human trafficking. The Coastal Bend is the author of the act. “I don’t come up with these ideas, I

get these ideas from all of you,” Hunter said. “If it wasn’t for the involvement of all of you we wouldn’t be able to create the bills that are necessary to fight this horrible thing that is happening.” The panel offered an opportunity for the audience to better understand the type of impact of human trafficking has within Texas. “Laws are only good as good as the people who will help bring attention to those laws,” Chesney said. “We have to have you to help bring it into the attention of the judiciary and law systems. Unfortunately for us in the judiciary system, we don’t see these cases of human trafficking and that is a big, big problem.” Spreading the word about human trafficking within the United States is the only way that people are going to become aware that it is actually occurring in the country. “It’s not something that we see on Facebook or we see on TV, we don’t think that it is something that is real,” Chesney said. “If you don’t think it’s going on right now you are greatly mistaken.” see HUMAN TRAFFICKING on page 9

special

11.20.2014

The girl next door:

ISLAND WAVES

A story of surviving human trafficking

by JAMIE FINK news reporter

n Nov. 12, a symposium hosted by the World Affairs Council with the help of Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi’s Communication and Media department helped bring awareness to the human trafficking issue America. The event featured a keynote speaker, Mrs. Katina Smith, who is a survivor of human sex trafficking. Stith was able to grab the attention of everyone in the audience as she began to tell her story of survival. “I really don’t need a whole lot of reminders of what is happening and what went on in my life, but at the same time it is important for you all to hear and see what is going on and to hear the stories of survivors,” Stith said. Stith’s story began when she was a 6-year-old only child growing up in Virginia. Stith’s parents were very involved in the community, so everyone knew who the Stith family was. “I want to start here because I want you to grasp how something so small can turn into something so huge,” said Stith. “For me it wasn’t that I had an abusive background or grew up in that type of environment, it was the fact that I was an only child and how I was raised.” When she was six, her mother enrolled her in one of the top dance companies. To Stith, dance was the most important thing in her life. She traveled all over for competitions. This is where it started, Stith said when one of the boys on her dance team would come into the bathroom and take advantage of Stith in the bathroom. That was the beginning of a very dark path. “I didn’t tell anyone, because of who I was and how I was raised,” Stith said. “I was that quiet, submissive girl. So that led to me not telling anyone when I turned seven, or eight, or nine, ten. Every year it seemed like there was someone who had full access to me at any time. People took advantage of the vulnerability of my family. They saw the fact that my

HUMAN TRAFFICKING CHILDREN AT RISK is a nonprofit organization based out of Houston that has been serving Texas for 25 years. CHILDREN AT RISK serves as a catalyst for change to improve the quality of life for children through strategic research, public policy analysis, education, collaboration and advocacy. Latiolais and CHILDREN AT RISK are adamantly working beside both politicians such as Hunter and the individuals who are out working to protect and save the lives of children who have been affected by human trafficking. “Sixty percent of runaway children in the United States at one point in their lives had been in the foster care system or the group homes,” Latiolais said. “66,000 confirmed children who lived in homes of neglect, and over 30,000 children who were living

mother and father were working all the time.” Just six years later, at the age of 16, Stith said a family member assaulted her. She described how she felt that if she could just open her mouth, then that would be her opportunity for her to talk about all the other times. However, when Stith began to tell her family about what had happened, she wasn’t believed. “Now that I’m older, I can now say that the reason I felt that I wasn’t believed is because your family doesn’t want to believe that someone else in your family can hurt you,” said Stith. “They thought, she’s just a kid maybe she is mixing things up and she didn’t know what really happened.” Shortly after, the Stith family moved from Virginia to Atlatnta, Ga., the worst human trafficking city in the United States. It was where Stith would be taken. “I was taken from my home due to threats and out of fear,” Stith said, “The man who stole me from my home took a hot hair curler to my private areas, for me to do exactly what he told me to do and I did.” As Stith continued to tell her story, the room began to fill with the sounds of sniffles. Even Stith had to take a few minutes to compose herself as she struggled to continue her story. “I tried to run again even after he took the hot curler to me and he chased me with a weight in his hand, luckily for me, the Lord was watching over me,” Stith said. “When he threw the weight at me he missed.” Stith stressed the importance of being able to recognize human trafficking in the U.S. “You make yourself vulnerable when you post things on Facebook or Instagram. People are watching what you say and what you put out there,” Stith said. “I am here to be able to speak up and tell each of you how to not be so vulnerable, how to start using the voice that you still have and how to become involved with these organizations that are helping to fight human trafficking and help those who have been infected.” continued from page 8 in the foster care system in the state of Texas.” Latiolais blamed the reason that human and sex trafficking has found its way into the country and become a rising issue among state legislatures is the fact that the United States is becoming a more and more sexualized country leaving nothing sacred. “The only way we are going to be able to help put an end to human and sex trafficking in the U.S. is by becoming more educated,” Latiolais said. “We are trying to get our public educators, doctors, and even public officials educated into seeing the signs of human trafficking and modern day slavery.” Holland, closed the event. “A 13 year old girl or boy doesn’t wake up and decide they want to be a prostitute, they are a victim of human trafficking,” Holland said.

Katina Stith, a survivor of human trafficking within the United States, spoke before a packed Warren Theater audience about her time while a captive of trafficking. photo by JAMIE FINK

sports 10

11.20.2014

ISLAND WAVES

Women’s basketball tries to overcome key injuries

by JEREMY PAPE sports reporter

he Islanders women’s basketball team has just started their 2014 through 2015 campaign but they have unfortunately had to do so without the assistance of senior Shola Adebayo and sophomore Brittany Mbamalu who will be missing the season due to injury. The two athletes were the highest scoring returning players from last season’s team which went 18 to12. The coaching staff had to adjust, but that wasn’t the first thought that head coach Royce Chadwick had when he assessed the situation. “[My first thought was of] tremendous sadness for the individuals,” Chadwick said. “They have worked so hard in the offseason to be prepared for this season. They had such high hopes for themselves and their team, and because of the circumstances, it was taken away from them,” Chadwick added. Chadwick did mention that losing key returning members of the team was personally frustrating. “There’s the frustration of [the fact that] we’d done a great job recruiting, we had a great team lined Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi the way we had wanted to,” Chadwick added. Chadwick also stressed the importance of the team’s depth, especially when situations such as this one occur. “That’s why you have more than five girls on a team it’s ‘next girl up’,” Chadwick said. “[Injuries happen] throughout sports. It’s just an unfortunate part of the industry. The silver lining is both of these young ladies are working diligently on and off the court to be ready for next year,” Chadwick added. The depth of the roster is something that will be key to the team’s success going forward.

photo illustration by KARA HERRERA

“You have people who in the summer might have been designed to be the sixth man. You have a seventh player who moves up, an eighth player who moves up, a ninth player,” Chadwick said. “It avails opportunities for younger players quicker than what they would have gotten with that much depth on the team.” The gameplan has been redesigned to reflect the changes. “[As a coach}, you design an offensive and defensive scheme for the talent that you have and we basically have refocused, redesigned, and worked to do the things that we need to do for the talent that we have and the experience that we have,” Chadwick said. “You’ll see us doing a whole lot fewer things offensively and defensively while we help [newcomers] get acclimated,” Chadwick said. Adebayo and Mbamalu had specific skills that the team now will be looking for from other players. “What we lost was an awful lot of three-point shooting from Brittany and some tremendous defensive prowess from Shola,” Chadwick said. The players know that they must also adjust to try and make up for the loss of their teammates. “I plan to talk to my teammates and to communicate with them as best as I know how,” junior forward Gee Lawler said. “Starting with our point guards, and ending with our posts, as long as we communicate, we get stuff done,” Lawler added. Lawler also explained, from a player’s perspective, how team chemistry was affected. “It loses a big part to our team, and we just have to overcome it,” Lawler said. The team will have their next game at home against the University of Houston on Friday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Dugan Wellness Center.

sports

11.20.2014

Islanders women’s basketball hosts

ISLAND WAVES

Beach Night

photo illustration by KARA HERRERA

by JEREMY PAPE sports reporter

n Friday Nov. 21 the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi women’s basketball team will host a theme night during their contest against the University of Houston Cougars. This game will be held in the Dugan Wellness Center and the theme is the beach. “This is our first theme night of the season,” assistant athletic director for external operations Bill McDaniel said. Students who attend the game which will be held at the Dugan Wellness Center are encouraged to dress the part. Since a great deal of the students that are attending these games live either on campus, in Corpus Christi, or the surrounding area many people are likely to show up looking like they could have just come from the beach. Creativity (and of course appropriateness) will be key in determining what to wear to the event. “Prizes will be awarded to students who are the best dressed [to fit the theme],” McDaniel said. The community around the campus and around the various athletic events is growing. Theme nights such as this one are a way for those involved in the athletic events at the University to give back to the community that has given them

support. “Islanders Athletics want our games and events to be a fun environment where students can let loose and enjoy themselves,” McDaniel said. As this is the first theme night of the basketball season it will be exciting for the fans and for people around the department to see the engagement and sense of community that is certain to be shown at the arena on Friday. This event will also be the first theme night for any of the sports at the University. “We are looking to continue to grow additional theme nights for basketball and other Islander Athletic events throughout the year,” McDaniel said. Since there are so many students at the University, there are many different people to entertain. Some are there primarily to watch the sporting event that is taking place. Others are there to have a good time visiting with their friends. The important thing is that all of the people in attendance have a great time. “We feel that providing different theme nights, along with having giveaways [at the events], helps to change up the environment periodically,” McDaniel said. “[It keeps] the experience fresh and enjoyable for those who support us all season long.”

SFB visuals ISLAND WAVES

Light guru Phil Johnson helps to set the lights.

11.20.2014

behind the scenes

Actors sit in the audience seating while receiving notes from their director.

Actors receive line notes (lines that they have messed up on) from their stage manager, Calan Welder.

Riley Wood controls the lights from his desk.

Don Luna reviews notes at the end of a run through of the show.

Director Don Luna has a passionate conversation with his cast.

Friday, November 21, 2014 Toys for Tots Toy Drive

Holiday Bash

5:00–6:30 pm CI Courtyard

Donate an unwrapped toy to the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots toy drive and brighten up a child’s day! Sponsored by the Division of Student Engagement & Success in conjunction with the United States Marine Corps.

5:00–6:30 pm CI Courtyard

Fun for the whole family! Come enjoy games, crafts, inflatables, and dancing. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Division of Student Engagement & Success.

Lighting Ceremony

Ho! Ho! Ho!

6:30 pm Lee Plaza

5:15–6:15 pm CI Courtyard

Get your list ready! Santa is coming to campus! Come tell Santa everything you want! Bring an unwrapped toy and get your photo taken with Santa. Sponsored by the Staff Council.

The switch will be thrown to illuminate the campus along Ocean Boulevard in Islander blue, green and white lights. The evening, which will include music, games and other activities, is free and open to the public.

Senior Austin Vaught, who plays Sorn in SFB, gets a little sleep before a long night of rehearsing.

The Department of Music’s 14th Annual Holiday Gala Concert 7:00 pm Performing Arts Center Adults: $10 | Students: $5 | Children 10 & under: Free

The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi School of Arts, Media & Communication presents the 14th Annual Holiday Gala Concert in the Performing Arts Center at 7:00 pm on Friday, November 21, 2014. The concert will feature students and faculty in a wide variety of holiday favorites for the whole family, from familiar Christmas carols to new arrangements. For more information, contact Courtney Noe at (361) 825-5523 or go to pac.tamucc.edu/events.html.

6300 Ocean Drive • For more information or special accomodations, call (361) 825-2231.

Nate Scott, who plays the main character Conrad, rehearses a scene on stage.

A techie stands on the stage to help direct the lighting team.

Photos by ELI T. BERKE