Volume 28 Issue 2

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

IslandWavesNews.com

HIGH TECH

Area high school students compete for FIRST Place

by JONATHAN FORNEY • Page 6

News

Anti-Trump rallies form in Corpus Christi Page 3

Also

February 02, 2017 Volume 28, Issue 2

Opinions Page 2 Entertainment Page 7 Sports Page 10

2 Opinion STUDENT PUBLICATION OF TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITYCORPUS CHRISTI

02.02.2017

Inauguration brought mixed emotions GERI LEMMONS @GeriLemmons

The inauguration of our 45 president Donald J. Trump hapISLAND WAVES STI | ISLANDWAVESNEWS.COM | VOLUME 26 ISSUE | 08.27.15 pened Jan. 20. It 20 brought mixed IslandWavesNews.com feelings with one side cheering and another feeling like people Editor-in-chief made a huge mistake.

KACI ALVAREZ

The inauguration itself was a very prestigious event. Full of famous political figures, former presidents, and many people in the crowd looking on. But the most anticipated part about the whole thing was President Donald Trump’s speech and what he had to say after such a tough couple of months.

After watching the inauguration I have mixed feelings. I

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ABOUT ISLAND WAVES Island Waves is a studentproduced publication at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

The newspaper is printed weekly, except during summer sessions.

Any student or University employee may submit material and opinions for publication consideration. To become a contributor, e-mail or call the Island Waves editor.

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don't really know how the future is going to be. Hearing the promises that he plans to make made me feel like we were reliving the rally speeches all over again. Which personally, I feel like it is good that he keeps his promises but I am worried about some of those promises.

I admit that I had a different feeling watching this inauguration over the ones I watched as a kid.

I could still feel the divide in feelings after such a tough election. It was his job that day to try and help heal the country and bring reassurance to those that may have not voted for him. I think he did that by talking about some of the promises he made and telling the American people the work he plans on doing for them.

But one thing that I did notice were the shots of the people around him as he spoke. I did take some glances at President

Barack Obama and it really hit me how polar opposite the two of them are, not only politically but also socially as well.

I thought about the now shift of power and how different a Trump presidency will be. I could just tell by the different ways they address a crowd that one is definitely not like the other.

Overall, the inauguration was at first something I told myself I was not going to watch to be honest. I needed a break from all of the political stuff after the election was over. But as I was walking to work, it was all that I saw on the monitors at school and there was no way of escaping it.

I am kind of happy that I did get to hear and see what was going on. It made me feel connected, informed and like I had a front-row seat to what the next four years could be and what it will be.

2017 spring fashion trends throwback KACI ALVAREZ @earthtokace

Fashion always seems to evolve throughout the years and recycle itself, so it’s no surprise that New York Fashion Week (NYFW) showcased unique futuristic looks as well as throwbacks you only see in your parent’s yearbook.

2017 is all about uniqueness and not caring what anybody thinks. It’s about expressing yourself through clothing you never thought you’d wear and embracing old and new inspiration.

Here are some of the biggest trends at New York Fashion Week 2017.

1. Bellbottom Pants This is it. This is what all the peace loving, The Beatles listening college girls are dying to hear. Bellbottoms are officially back in style. While skinny jeans have reigned supreme for a long time, an an-

ticipated shift toward vintage silhouettes will take over and I’m definitely feeling it.

2. Ruffles When people hear the word “ruffles,” usually the first thing they think of is potato chips, BUT the second thing they think of is girly. Moms everywhere dress their little girls in cute outfits complimented by ruffles. Now ruffles are taking the fashion world by storm by incorporating them into asymmetrical dresses, one-shoulder tops and voluminous skirts.

3. Khaki I practically died when I found out khaki was coming back into style. Neutral tones are flattering on everybody so it’s no surprise that it’s become popular again.

Kim Kardashian slipped into a band-aid colored bodycon dress and neutral hues began to pop up everywhere. NYFW featured slit-shoulder jackets and belted skirt-pants in the beige color.

4. Bra Tops

For those with ample, there will be endless opportunities this spring to take the crop-top trend to its logical conclusion and skip the “top” part all together. Lingerie-like pieces are all the rage at the moment. You can pair them with evening skirts, cropped jeans and slinky suits.

5. Stripes.

Stripes were huge at NYFW. Many designers showed off bright and bold horizontal stripes on their pieces with different textures to add a bit more to the entire looks. This look can be worm casually or dressed up with the perfect amount of accessories.

The biggest trends at fashion week are more of previews to what style bloggers and normal people will be wearing in no time.

So keep an eye out for these and more, fashion lovers.

Photo courtesy of GOOGLE.COM

News 3

02.02.2017

Anti-Trump rallies form in Corpus Christi MELISSA RODRIGUEZ @__melisssaaaa

A

s the 45th President of the United Stated, Donald J. Trump, was inaugurated on Jan. 20, hundreds of thousands took to the streets all across the globe in opposition of Trump’s inevitable assumption of power.

There were protesters in Corpus Christi also; upwards of 100 city members rallied that same afternoon outside the US District Federal Courthouse on N. Shoreline Blvd. Both the young and old showed up to exercise their freedoms of speech and rights to protest provided by the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

“This is a good starting point,” said Jenny Espino, leader of protest chants and representative for Corpus Christi Solidarity Network.

“This is where we want to build from.”

Espino refers to this starting point as the beginning of a movement to end all the bigotry, sexism, racism and overall sense of hatred that anti-Trump protestors have expressed feeling subjected to. “[Protesting] is just a way to bring different organizations, different activists and people together because we have to take it a step further than just individual demonstrations,” Espino said.

Over a dozen organizations

showed up that day to speak out against the newly appointed President of the U.S., several of which included: Clean Economy Coalition, Sierra Club, For the Greater Good and RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services).

“There seems to be a lot of groups involved today,” said Leslie Jernigan, another local protestor in attendance that day. “Mostly [I’m] here for unity and to show that we’re resisting whatever policies [Trump] will put forward.”

Many protestors, both local and nationally, have had very opinionated thoughts about President Donald Trump, and they have not been afraid to express those thoughts.

Jernigan expressed her strong feelings against Trump, when she called him “a racist, sexist, and xenophobe.”

The rally attracted attention from many. Drivers passing by would honk in support and others would yell out their personal opinions against those outside the courthouse.

Media crews, such as KRIS 6 News and Entravision News, covered most of the processions.

Despite the misty weather, the turnout in Corpus Christi appeared high given the city’s majority Republican status.

“I think this is more than we could have ever asked for, and I’m really excited to see what comes out of this,” Espino said.

O N L I N E

Island Waves News .com

Weil Gallery presents Sarakisian

Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi’s Weil Gallery presents Peter Sarakisian: Selected Works from Jan. 27March 8. Visit www.islandwavesnews.com to see photos of the exhibit.

The RipTide returns to Island Waves After a long winter break, Island Waves’ video news segment, The RipTide, will return. Anchor, Jeffery Thomas will recap the current events happening on the Island Campus. Stay tuned for videos all semester long. Visit www.youtube.com/c/IslandWavesNews for more videos.

‘Trans Visibilty’ arrives on island

Photos by IZZY SNEED

Men and women raised flags and signs of all sorts on Jan. 20 in downtown Corpus Christi to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Picketers lined up on the lawn across from the United States Courthouse on Jan. 20 to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Queering the Island presents “Trans Visibilty on the Island” with Dr. Kelly L. Bezio and Dr. Brooke Friley on Jan. 31. The “Pride Alliance” event took place in UC Oso 221 and welcomes all students, faculty and staff. Read more about this event on islandwavesnews.com.

ON THE COVER: Photo by ZACH ALDRIDGE

4 News

02.02.2017

Culture Alliance honors a man, his dream JONATHAN FORNEY @jb4nay

T

he University Center’s Lone Star Ballroom was the location for the Second annual MLK Luncheon.

The event was put on by the Islander Cultural Alliance (ICA) and served to honor the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event was free to the public but attendees were encouraged to RSVP through OrgSync. An introduction to the event was made by ICA member, Frank Gallegos.

“MLK continues to inspire generations to achieve his iconic dream,” Gallegos said.

Following the introduction, attendees were treated to a free meal. Once the guests had their fill, it was time to present the Spirit of MLK awards.

The following were all recognized for their embodiment of MLK’s historic dream: Katrina Chapa, Andrea Montalvo-Hamid, Dr. Bilaye Benibo, Ana Salamanca and Angela Walker. Some were unable to attend and the ICA accepted the award on their behalves.

Benibo, guest speaker of the event,

accepted his award before getting into his speech. The Kenyan sociology professor explained how he found himself teaching at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Benibo has seen this university change since his arrival, more than two decades ago. He took time to reflect on the magnitude of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. “In 1995, we had the first march,” Benibo said. “Within that period we had our first African-American student body president who received death threats and had to walk around campus in a bulletproof vest.”

Back in the early days of the Island University, students were originally presented with an option to start the Spring semester after MLK day, but Benibo and others opposed because they wanted to be able to congregate with their fellow students to celebrate the occasion.

Benibo also took time to reflect on the legacy of former president Barack Obama.

“The last transfer of power is unlike any other in the history of the United States because the person handing over

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power is African-American,” Benibo said.

Benibo said, former President Obama embodied Dr. King Jr’s dream in a monumental way.

“How did a black man, once considered nonhuman, then three-fifths of a person, ascend to the highest office in the United States?” Benibo asked.

“Through the efforts of individuals.

Somebody dreamt and that person was Martin Luther King, Jr.”

Excerpts from Dr. King, Jr.’s legendary “I Have a Dream” speech gave context to Benibo’s ideas, but he understands there is more work to be done.

“The full realization of the dream is yet to be, but we must not take our hands off the plow,” Benibo said.

ICA concluded the luncheon by encouraging attendees to partake in some of the many events going on around the university for Black History Month.

photos by JONATHAN FORNEY

Dr. Bilaye Benibo discusses his own experiences with MLK Day at the Island University since he arrived in 1995.

The staff of ICA, who helped put on the event, took time to pose with the event’s guest speaker, Dr. Bilaye Benibo.

News 5

02.02.2017

ABC opens icy floor to movie goers MIKAYLA OELSCHLEGEL @mikaylaMOG

O

n Jan. 21, citizens of Corpus Christi got to experience one of the joys of winter.

The American Bank Center held a movie night skating event in the ice rink that is up from September through the beginning of April for hockey season. For $10, anyone who wanted to participate could ice skate. The event was split into two two-hour sessions, which allowed participants some flexibility.

“In South Texas where nobody sees snow, nobody sees the cold air, this is

the perfect way to bring the holidays over to the public,” said Kristen Bily, marketing and media relations manager.

The evening also featured a movie, “Frozen”, which was shown on the big screen. The auditorium was free to sit in for people just wanting to watch the movie and maybe buy something from the concession stand.

“It’s the middle of January, where it should be cool,” Bily said. “Its 85 degrees out, we’re keeping the cold back here in South Texas while watching the movie as well.”

Bily said she and her team were looking into doing another event around

IZZY SNEED/ISLAND WAVES

Valentine’s Day because of the draw in it created. People began lining up to get inside close to 3 p.m.; and once they were let in, the line continued to stretch outside. While there was no definite answer about the continuation of this event, Bily has high hopes.

“I think this should become a regular thing because right now we’re already a full house and it is just barely 4 p.m.,” Bily said. “It’s showing that people want to get out and do something with their families.”

South Texas did not experience much of a winter, temperatures drop below freezing very briefly.

“Ice skating is something you don’t get

to do here in South Texas, unless you go to a bigger city,” said Avien Siegriend, a junior English major. “I feel like I’ve always wanted to ice skate, and I feel like a bunch of other people feel the same.”

This event made it possible for the ABC to cool off the Corpus Christi community for a short amount of time and experience a winter activity most South Texans do not get to do.

“I know, personally as a student, we are always trying to find something to do, especially since no one really gets to ice skate much down here in Corpus Christi,” said Kristen Garcia, a senior communication major, “It is really fun and something different.”

6 News

02.02.2017

High school students compete robots for FIRST JONATHAN FORNEY @jb4nay

F

or the fifth time, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi hosted the FIRST Tech Challenge in which several teams competed in a robotics competition for awards and a chance at the state championships.

The namesake of the event, FIRST, is the acronym “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,” which was founded in 1989 to build interest in the fields of science and technology. The competition featured 21 teams of up to 10 members from grades 7-12. These teams designed, built and programmed their own robots to compete in the Velocity Vortex competition against their peers.

“Through competitions like these, students can develop primary interests in these [science and technology] types of careers,” said Mayra Alvarado, the event coordinator.

The Velocity Vortex challenge consisted of two teams, each with two robots, that tried to score points in a variety of ways before the allotted time ran out. Participants could push colored balls up ramps, launch them onto platforms, activate beacons and push larger balls into scoring positions. Each match lasted 2 minutes and 30 seconds, of which the first 30 seconds was entirely autonomous; the remaining time was driver-controlled.

Each team had to delegate drivers, coaches, engineers and coders before competition began and those members stayed in their respective roles for the duration of the afternoon. During the day of robotic competition, pizza was provided to the teams and fans alike.

After the qualifying matches and a semi-final round, which included a malfunctioning controller causing the Botqueros to call a timeout, the final round was set between the Beach Bots from Flour Bluff and Droid Rage from Corpus Christi.

The finals were best two-out-of-three.

The Beach Bots, and their respective Red Alliance, won the first two matches taking the victory. The second round was won by a margin of five points demonstrating the competitiveness of the teams.

Prior to the distribution of the day’s trophies and awards, all team members gathered together for a group photo to commemorate the moment. The awards were decided upon by a panel of judges, most of whom were from the

Moody Robotics getting ready for their robotics match.

engineering department at the Island University.

The Control award went to Droid Rage 4. Droid Rage (2 and 3) also won the Motivate, Connect and Inspire awards, respectively. These awards were about forming a connection with their community and promoting the values of FIRST. The Botqueros won the Innovate award, while the Think award went to Nerd Herd. The Alliance award went to the Red alliance, their captain team, Beach Bots, as well as Team Chaos and Squad Up. “Students in this [competition] also develop their leadership and outreach skills, while getting others interested in robotics,” Alvarado said.

Volunteers and SACNAS, an organization looking to contribute to the success of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American students in scientific fields, helped make the event possible. Chair of Engineering at the Island University, David Bridges, took time to thank volunteers, officials, and the competitors.

“Our STEM programs are a fantastic opportunity for students to have the hardest fun they’ll ever have,” Bridges said.

Robots are tested on the practice field before the big match.

photos by ZACH ALDRIDGE

Entertainment 7

02.02.2017

New bar delivers healthy raw deal MIKAYLA OELSCHLEGEL @mikaylaMOG

I

n Nov. 2016, a new kind of restaurant opened in Corpus Christi.

The Raw Bar, which is owned by Kristy Aleman, a Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi alumni, is located on Santa Fe. About a 10 minute drive from the Island University, the Raw Bar is no typical bar. This bar caters to a healthy and nourishing menu rather than alcohol and fried foods. I was impressed.

The Raw Bar carries three different juices, five different smoothie recipes and three protein bowls. New creations also pop up throughout the week on their social media accounts.

Every item the Raw Bar creates is designed to help treat your body right.

The juices have certain greens in them to either get you balanced, energized or build up your immune system.

I tried the 16 ounce Foxy Matcha smoothie. I decided that one had the most products I would like, such as mint, raw honey, matcha green tea and honeydew melon. Although almond milk is not my favorite, I could barely taste it.

One flavor overpowered everything in the smoothie, the mint.

The smoothie was delicious but I do hope that they come out with a smaller size because I was struggling to finish all of the drink as well as eat my protein bowl. If you just get want to get the smoothie, however, the 16 ounce was a great size.

I also ordered the Power Bowl protein

DINING REVIEW

bowl and that was my favorite. The organic yogurt mixed with the bananas, oats, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, granola and honey, plus more almond milk and almond butter, topped with cinnamon gave me a boost to finish out the rest of my long day.

The recipes, while different, are not the only unique things about this restaurant. The restaurant is based in a house setting. In fact, if you were not looking for the building, you might glance over it as it is placed in a neighborhood making one wonder if that is the true location.

Despite a little bit of difficulty finding the restaurant, once in the building, there is a sense of homeliness and comfort, which made me excited to try new options on the menu. The white walls bring a sense of cleanliness, while the wood accents and the chalkboard add a sense of playfulness.

The sizes of the sitting areas were rather small but it adds to the atmosphere of home and the healthy lifestyle, especially as the open blinds let in the natural light.

The Raw Bar only uses fresh fruits and veggies to keep everything working toward the “good for your body” concept, but it also keeps the prices average with everything ranging in price from $7-8 plus tax, which makes it affordable

Photos by MIKAYLA OELSCHLEGEL

The Power Bowl and the Foxy Matcha are just two of the items served at the Raw Bar daily.

for the majority of the city.

Facebook posts on their page, as well as comments on their Instagram, show support for the business and excitement that a new juice bar is in Corpus.

One person on Facebook writes, “I love fresh juices.... I’m stoked to have it so close to home.”

For more information, go to Raw Bar on Facebook or http://rawbarcc.com.

The Raw Bar was opened in November 2016 by TAMUCC Alumni Kristy Aleman.

The menu at the Raw Bar informs everyone what is in the products as well as their prices.

8 Entertainment

02.02.2017

Textbook prices differ by location

GERI LEMMONS @GeriLemmons

W

ith every new semester comes the usual expense of having to buy textbooks. The process can either be quick and easy but not cheap, or tough but not that expensive.

The real key is to figure out where to go and how to compare prices from different book selling websites. The trick is to also look at stores around you and the people around you as well.

“Usually I use the school store for access codes,” said Quyn Quach, junior marketing and finance major. “I use both Amazon and the school store.”

Students can begin their search at the bookstore on campus located in the University Center. The first step is to look up the books required for each class and the campus bookstore prices. Also, take a look at the edition, author, and the title of the book to have that information handy when searching for a lower price elsewhere.

“I use the school store to make sure that I am not buying something off of Amazon that I am not supposed to get,” Quach said.

One website to check out for lower prices is Chegg. Chegg is a textbook buying, renting and selling website. They provide both hard and digital copies of textbooks.

The company also offers a buyback program. Chegg send students books through the mail and one would send the book back through the mail when done if renting or selling the book back.

Their prices tend to be cheaper than the school’s bookstore. For the exact same book, the prices are usually about $10 or more off the price from the bookstore.

Amazon has also been competing for student’s attention when it comes to buying textbooks.

Amazon now has a free 6-month trial of Amazon Prime-Student. This is a certain type of Amazon account geared toward college students and has many benefits. They offer two-day shipping for all types of items, but most importantly textbooks.

Prices found on Amazon are around the same price as those found on Chegg.

They can sometimes be even cheaper depending on the book, especially when free shipping is calculated into the equation.

For some students, asking class mates for books in classes that they have already taken has been a useful tactic.

“The fourth book I bought for school was bought through a friend,” said Joshua Reyna, senior communication major.

“He had the class last semester and I bought the book from him for $35 and through the school they were selling it

for $60.”

Some students will take all approaches to finding books for the best price. It just takes some research.

“This semester I had to get five books,” Reyna said. “Three of them I got through Amazon.com, another I got from a friend, and the last one through the school store.”

IZZY SNEED/Island Waves

Recent hits head to Netflix KACI ALVAREZ @earthtokace

F

ebruary is a big month for Netflix as new arivals are debuted.

With a long list of hits and favorites, the streaming platform will have something for everyone, ranging from kid friendly movies to horror flicks.

Here’s what to expect on Netflix, this coming month.

1. Finding Dory The childhood favorite and throwback sequal to “Finding Nemo” will be available for streaming on Feb. 1. The underwater phenomenon will be able to gather children and adults together to watch Dory, played by Ellen Degenerous, find her parents.

2. Magic Mike A favorite for women young and old, “Magic Mike” will be giving a show right from the living room. Channing Tatum and company will be able to perform for the consumer exclusively on Feb. 1.

3. Project X The high school party flick of this generation will be able to be streamed

this coming month. Live it up with high schoolers who are doing things they shouldn’t be doing from the comfort of your home.

4. The Blair Witch Project The first of the handheld horror movie genre will also hit the small screen this coming month. Follow a group of friends into the woods while cuddling up on the couch with your favorite horror movie enthusiates for Valentine’s Day. 5. Twilight [Just the Original] Everyone’s favorite sparkly vampire, awkward teenage girl and ripped warewolf will debut on Netflix as well. If you are one of those people who didn’t go through a “Twilight” phase and buy DVD copies of the movie, then this is the perfect rainy day movie to watch. Just don’t get too emotionally invested in the love triangle.

Netflix has an array of movies and shows lined up to be released this February, including hits not mentioned such as “Sausage Party.” For more information on the entire list, visit www. whats-on-netflix.com.

10 Sport

02.02.2017

Nick Anderson plays hard on diamond

MELISSA RODRIGUEZ @__melisssaaaa

W

ith baseball season quickly approaching, Nick Anderson and the rest of the Islander Baseball team have been hard at work on and off the field in preparation for the new season.

Being drawn to sports his whole life, Anderson has been playing baseball since the young age of 6, after his parents noted his desire to play with any ball he saw.

“I just loved it and never stopped playing since then,” Anderson said.

Starting at center field for his second year on the team, Anderson has proven to be a valuable asset to the team since his freshman year, which ended with a good track record.

“Nick had a great freshman year,” said Scott Malone, head coach of Islander Baseball. “And it just reminds me that sometimes I judge these guys on their age

and experience [but in this case] you just have to put them out there and let them play.”

Anderson, recruited from Kempner High School in Sugar Land, Texas, has had a long history in athletics. He said his family has been instrumental to his athletic career since, they too, have all been in competitive sports.

The sophomore outfielder has not always been tied to the sport nor the position he plays today. In high school, Anderson played both football and baseball, ultimately choosing the latter to continue on at the Island University.

Before excelling as a center fielder in college, Anderson had some experience in the infield playing at short stop from the beginning of his baseball career up until switching over at age 16.

“I just like going out there and working on something different every day, and getting better at it,” Anderson said. ”It kind of applies to all aspects of life and

that’s the thing I love about baseball.”

Aside from being a star on the field, Anderson has high goals set in his academic life. The sophomore is currently enrolled at the university as a business marketing major where his hard work does not go unnoticed. “[He has a] great, outgoing personality, and by the time he leaves here he will be the definition of an ambassador of Islander Baseball,” Malone said.

With a .252 batting average and 20 runs scored last season, Anderson looks to get even better as the Islanders head into this season with an away game on Feb. 17. His goal personally, and for the team, is to win conference championship and then head to playoffs with high hopes for the greatest success.

“I think [Anderson] will draw people that will want to watch him play because he plays with energy, he’s got a smile on his face, plays the game with success and plays it the right way,” Malone said.

photo courtesy of ISLANDER ATHLETICS

Sam Mahofski takes time to rhyme MARIAH OLIVE @mariahmydear

W

hen someone finds passion for something it shows in what they do and for Sam Mahofski a transfer baseball player from Weatherford Junior College, that passion is rapping.

Rapping is defined as spoken or chanted lyrics that often rhyme in rhythm with a beat.

He stumbled across the talent freshman year of high school in his English Literature class. Admitting he really wasn’t any good at writing in English Lit class, yet he found himself to be surprisingly good at poetry.

Explaining that he was always better with numbers, mathematics, and the concept of building he correlates the creations of his raps and rhymes (his poetry) as a puzzle that he’s building.

“Obviously when you love something so much like that you want to do that” Sam Mahofski had to say about his rapping.

Since his initial epiphany of a passion for rapping Mahofski said he uses the talent to express himself. Confessing he isn’t the best at plainly expressing emotions conversationally writing raps allows him an outlet to let those feeling out in an artistic way.

Mahofski said that his inspiration is

coming from the life he is living. The lessons he has learned and the experiences he has had. He said he pulls better from himself using those feelings to create space in order to write raps.

“Expressing the life that I lived comes more naturally than trying to write about something I haven’t experienced,” Mahofski said.“My first rap was about a girl I like in high school, very cliché like.”

Since then, Mahofski has developed to bring in life events that have taught him and made him really feel.

Mahofski said he does not seek out one artist or genre of music to fashion himself after but has an appreciation for each genre of music. Looking slightly forward, he imagines being able to combine multiple genres into his own raps.

A computer science major, Mahofski said he wants to begin creating his own beats for his lyrics after graduation. He has the vision of exactly what he wants the finished product to look like.

Currently when he is looking for beats to be the background to his spoken words he prefers a more mellow beat, still enticing, but not something that would take away attention from the lyrics. The lyrics are where his passion resides.

“I think it’s really fun to be able to put words together to make my raps,” Mahofski said.

He hopes to create uplifting messages

to encourage his audience. Ironically, Mahofski creates these messages when he’s a little down and out. He said he feels the most creative when he is “in his feels.”

When he is in a mellow state of mind sitting in emotions or feelings he finds himself able to put together series of lyrics that have depth and bearings. While doing this, he brings himself up out of that slump. He said it’s a continuation building his puzzle piece from the mis-

matched pile to where it belongs in the bigger picture.

“Sam rapped for us the first time the other night, it was crazy.” “You don’t really expect it to come from him because he plays baseball and just kind of looks like a geek. But, then he busted out in full rap hand motions and everything, it was great.” said Chayse Bauer, a friend of his.

Check out his work on twitter @SMahofski_21.

Sports 11

02.02.2017

Islander comeback effort falls short

JONATHAN FORNEY/Island Waves

JONATHAN FORNEY @jb4nay

T

he men’s basketball team of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi were unable to take the lead against Stephen F. Austin in a 61-58 loss on Jan. 19.

The loss marked the Islanders’ first at the American Bank Center for the season. Prior to the defeat, the team had won all seven other games at home.

“Our mentality is always to protect our home,” said Ehab Amin, junior guard.

Following an indefinite suspension, a coach’s decision, the team was without their leading scorer, senior forward, Rashawn Thomas. The Islanders kept it close all night after taking an early lead in the first half.

“We had a lot of chances to tie up the game or even take the lead in the last couple minutes,” Amin said.

In a low scoring first half, the Islanders went to the locker room trailing 24-16.

During this time, the team was unable to connect on any of its seven three-point attempts, compared to the Jacks going 3-10 from beyond the arc. Shooting woes for the Islanders were not for lack of looks, however.

“We had great looks, we just had to knock a few down,” said Kareem South, redshirt freshman guard. “Our execution was really good. We just have to stay with it and make shots.”

In the second half, however, the team began pressing to speed up their opponents and force turnovers. All five of

their three point makes also came in the second half as they kept within striking distance of the Jacks.

The team was able to hang around in large part due to South’s offensive contribution. South went 8-8 from the free throw line in route to a career-high 18 points. The performance is the result to try and regain his rhythm on that side of the ball.

“The past few games, I’ve been struggling,” South said. “But when you’re at the free throw line, you gain that confidence and things start going your way.”

After a hard foul on Amin, the momentum began to shift the Islanders’ way. The crowd got involved and South hit a big three to give the team the lead.

The Jacks took a one-point lead as the

Islanders took possession with less than one minute remaining. Junior guard Joseph Kilgore was tripped on his drive attempt leading to a Jacks’ layup. Following missed free throws, the Islanders still had a chance, down by three, for a full-court heave, but Amin’s prayer bounced off the rim and out as the buzzer sounded.

“We were right there with them, the whole game,” South said. “It just comes down to a few more stops and a couple more baskets.”

The team remains optimistic going forward.

“We’re a young team, so we’re going to learn from our mistakes,” Amin said.

“We’re going to get way better in February and March. That’s when it really matters.”

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