Volume 27 Issue 16

TEXAS TEXASA&M A&MUNIVERSITY–CORPUS UNIVERSITY–CORPUS CHRISTI CHRISTI

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SOUTHERN ROAD TRIP

see ROAD TRIP on page 5

Rodriguez bids farewell photo courtesy of GOOGLE.COM

SGA President leaves office with self-accomplishment, growth

by JAMIE FINK editor-in-chief

I

n Jasmine Rodriguez’s year-long reign as Student Government Association president, she put an emphasis on broadening the communication with student groups and organizations as she worked on different initiatives.

Next semester, Rodriguez will no longer be an undergraduate student at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi or president of Student Government. Rodriguez’ graduation this spring ended her time in charge of the official student voice of the Island University.

Rodriguez’ campaign focused on initiatives that fall in line with establishing SGA as the premiere and ultimate student voice of the Island University, while promoting and enlightening both students and the Islander community who SGA is.

Throughout this semester, Rodriguez headed many drafts and resolutions. None bigger perhaps, than the “Smoke Free 2017 Resolution.” The initiative, which was originally pre-

sented by I-TEAM, received full support from SGA and the student senate. Rodriguez and company assisted in the collection of student body input via paper and online surveys, as well as hosting two open forums.

SGA resolved the resolution by supporting I-TEAM’s second proposal which would call for the Island University to become a smoke free campus with the exception of designated smoking areas.

If passed, the new rule would be the first of its kind for any university within the Texas A&M University system.

“It was honestly just an honor to work for the students and serve them in the best possible way I could,” Rodriguez said. “I hope that students aren’t afraid to get involved, whether it is with a student organization or out in the community. There is a lot to learn.”

One of Rodriguez’ first duties of action came last October when Scott Lazenby, director of athletics, requested a five percent increase in the amount students are charged for

photo by KACI ALVAREZ

Jasmine Rodriguez graduated this spring after serving a year as SGA president.

their athletic fee as part of their tuition. The athletic fee would increase the cost of one credit hour by $1.21, which would bring the total estimated increase revenue from the increase in athletics fee to $289,864.47 by the 2019-2020 academic school year.

Rodriguez said SGA wished to maintain a positive relationship with the university’s athletics department and also wished to voice the con-

INDEX OPINION 2 | NEWS 3,4 | CAMPUS 6,7,11 | ENTERTAINMENT 5,8,9,10 | SPORTS 12

cerns senators had regarding the proposal. SGA later approved the increase in student’s athletics fee by an amount of 3.3 percent in October 2015. The fee increase is set to take effect beginning in the fall of 2016.

Lisa Perez, senior executive director of the University Center and Student Activities, has worked closely with Rodriguez throughout the past year. She said working this year was see FAREWELL on page 4

2 School is out, summer planning begins opinion

05.19.2016

ISLAND WAVES

by MIKAYLA OELSCHLEGEL staff writer

You just turned in your last online final, your brain is officially mush and all you want to do is sleep for a week. Thankfully, once the pretty little submit button is hit or the test is turned into your professor, every college student can rejoice in one solid fact-summer.

Summer is meant for many things, falling in love, spending time with family who does not live in Corpus and catching up on all those hours of sleep you lost during the weeks leading up the final week.

It is for spending countless days at the beach, working on the perfect tan (wear sunscreen!), nights with your best friends without having to worry about class the next morning, and gorging on all those delicious home-cooked meals mom makes which you miss out on.

But if you are having trouble thinking on what exactly you are going to do for the next three and

a half months, here are six ideas to help get your summer rolling: 1. Get a seasonal job. During the school year, you can make excuses like “Oh, I will not have enough time to do my homework or study if I get a job,” but now we get almost three and a half months to ourselves. It is the perfect time to earn a little extra spending money, especially if you are planning on taking some trips.

2. Take the one trip you have always wanted to take but you never had enough time. Well here is three months of non-commitment to school and you have got to use it.

Whether it is a cross-country road trip (hello bucket list!) or a trip to your favorite city, plan it for this time so you are not worried about deadlines for papers or homework.

3. Read a book (or three). Now, without being forced to read any boring (and long) textbook, you can dedicate some well-needed time to a few favorites you have been dying to read. My personal favorite is “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt.

4. Learn a new hobby or take

some time to refine the hobby you let slack during the many hours put into school. Want to learn how to paint with oils? Or want to learn a new language? Summer is the perfect time.

5. Summer classes, okay, maybe not the most popular choice but if it gets you out of college quicker and off to the dream job in your dream city, who would not take this route?

6. Spinning off the last idea, apply and (fingers crossed) land the internship since summer is one of the perfect times for internships because, again, you are not worrying about deadlines for papers and homework.

Likewise, start applying over the course of the summer for the fall or spring internships as they open up.

These are just a few ideas to possibly fill your summer up, but there are endless possibilities, especially if you are staying in Corpus for the holiday. You could hit up the beach or take a trip over the bridge and explore the Lexington and Aquarium. Summer is all about having fun and taking chances, so go out and explore new places, make extraordinary memories and we here at Island Waves will see you in the fall.

illustration by IZZY SNEED

Students should keep minds fresh during summer

by GERI LEMMONS staff writer

The summer is here and the one thing people do not want to do is completely lose all of the things they learned over the school year.

People should be able to keep their minds fresh and not go blank while they are taking their time off. Here are some tips as to how to keep your mind fresh while on vacation.

One thing people can do is one of the simplest things, read books. This is an easy way to be able to keep your mind fresh. School requires some sort of reading and it is important to look less at the TV and look more into books. This way one can maybe

learn new things and they can make sure they will not be reading for the first time in three months when the first day of school happens.

Another tip is to try to write a page a day. This way you can keep up with all of the writing skills you have learned over the years. One can write about anything from something personal or just a random story. This way you can keep your writing skills fresh and a page a day does not seem so bad.

Another way to keep your mind fresh is to try and learn something new over the summer. Whether this is learning a new language by learning a word a day or simple learning a little bit more about politics.

The point is to look into or learn something you have always wanted

to know about but really have not had the chance to really look at.

This way a person’s mind is always learning even if they are not in school. There is less pressure because there is no test over what someone has learned and it is something they are interested in.

Of course one of the things one can do is try to find a job over the summer. This way they are not only keeping their minds fresh by doing certain tasks every day, but they are also making money in the process.

A job is better than being at home with nothing to do. This way they are learning how to do something or are meeting new and exciting people every day and they have a paycheck to show for it.

Keeping your mind fresh can JAMIE FINK

Editor-in-chief Web Editor STUDENT PUBLICATION OF TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY–CORPUS CHRISTI | ISLANDWAVESNEWS.COM | VOLUME 26 ISSUE 20 | 08.27.15

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ABOUT ISLAND WAVES

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

be as simple as just getting some apps on one’s phone with different brainteasers. This way they are having fun while also trying to solve something. There are tons of apps available in the app store and they are only a click away. They have tons about math skills, spelling and even some with trivia that could actually help them later on in a class.

Summer is a great time but it can also be a time where one can lose the motivation to learn. By being able to keep using ones brain to do different activities it is easier to get back in the swing of things when school starts up again. It is easy to want to completely shut down after school ends and finals are over, but keeping your mind fresh does not have to be a hard task.

WENDY MOORE

Faculty Adviser

ALEICHIA WILLIAMS Features reporter

GERI LEMMONS

KACI ALVAREZ KELSEY FLORES Features reporter ABBEY WEAVER Photographer/cartoonist IZZY SNEED Sports reporter Copy Editor

Layout assistant MIKAYLA GONZALEZ News reporter JONATHAN FORNEY Layout assistant KARA HERRERA Entertainment reporter Distribution Manager

KELSEY LARGENT

SLOANE ZAPATA

Advertising Assistant

KELE ISIBOR

3 Lavender cords honor LGBTQ+students news

05.19.2016

ISLAND WAVES

by KACI ALVAREZ staff writer

T

exas A&M University-Corpus Christi made history by hosting their first ever Lavender Graduation Ceremony on May 11 in the University Center Lonestar Ballroom to honor LGBTQ+ students who are graduating this May and December.

The Lavender Graduation ceremony aims to honor the students’ academic success, leadership and contributions to the Island University. The students were given purple cords to wear at commencement. The event was open to all Islander students, faculty and staff as well as the general public.

The Lavender Graduation began at the University of Michigan in 1995, with only three graduates participating. There are now more than 45 graduations happening each year across the country.

“What our graduates have done is extremely difficult,” said Delaney Foster, Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi student engagement coordinator. “It’s something that not all those who identify as LGBTQ+

have been able to do.”

The ceremony was sponsored by the Inclusive Islander Network and was supported by many faculty, staff, family members and students who all attended to support these students. Island Campus Alumni and transgender woman Kitana Sanchez was the keynote speaker for the event.

Sanchez spoke about her personal story, life at Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi, the freedom movement for the community and the quote “love over labels,” which discusses how no love should deserve a label, however, Sanchez said without the labels the strong LGBTQ+ community would not exist.

The graduation ceremony honored eight students who identify with the LGBTQ+ community, one of which was Mariah Claiborne a theater major minoring in women and gender studies.

“I thought it was extremely important for me to recognize this as part of my success and to recognize my identity as part of my success,” Claiborne said. “I think it is important for others to recognize that as well.”

photo courtsey of GOOGLE.COM

Inclusive Islander Network was the sponsor who helped put on this monumental event.

Claiborne said she felt a sense of accomplishment when she walked across the stage and received her lavender cord, not just for herself but also for the entire LGBTQ+ community. She said it felt great to be able to represent the community.

“I want others to know that the point of Islander Inclusive Network is to feel included also, not just to include others but to feel included,” Claiborne said. “I want other people to approach that and to seek it out.”

Claiborne as well as the other seven students who received purple cords are now considered the makers of history at the island campus and ambassadors for

MAY

photo by KACI ALVAREZ

Lavender cords were given to those students being honored in the graduation.

NO TIME TO READ THE PAPER? THAT’S FINE! Island Waves is desk-top as well as mobile friendly. You can find us at www.islandwavesnews.com. And be sure to keep an eye out for new and exciting things happening right here at Island Waves

Make sure to become our follower or fan on our social media to keep track of what is cool for the summer!

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

26 JUN

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all those who identify with the LGBTQ+ community.

“Today’s celebration is one more step to a brighter future for everyone,” Foster said.

Following the graduation ceremony there was a celebration reception in the Legacy Ballroom, which included a photo booth, beverages and purple cupcakes for the graduates and guests to enjoy and mingle amongst one another.

The graduates had the opportunity to get to know one another as not only members of the same community, but also as graduates who have started a movement here on campus.

JOSH WARD

with Midnight River Choir

Spazmatics parking lot party!

JUN

parking lot Aaron Watson with Ned Ledoux and Cameran Nelson party!

JUN

Turnpike Troubadours

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9

MAY

29 JUN

11

with Old 97’s & the o’s

parking lot party!

Bash at the Beach

with Josh Abbott Band, Pat Green, Stoney LaRue, and more!

WEEZER

& PANIC! AT THE DISCO

JUN

IN THIS MOMENT

JUL

Slightly�Stoopid

27 16 AUG

with HellYeah, Shaman’s Harvest, and Sunflower Dead

w/ SOJA & Z-G-E

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SUBLIME WITH ROME

AUG

Summerland 2016

18

w/ Dirty Heads, Tribal Seeds, and Bleeker

with Sugar ray, everclear, lit, & Sponge

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news

05.19.2016

ISLAND WAVES

Job on campus prepares student for life

by GERI LEMMONS staff writer

W

hile some students may have a hard time handling a job and going to school, others make it work because they have to. When it comes to being able to keep the balance between school and work some students have this routine down pat.

One of these students happens to be Juan Javier Zapata, a junior at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. His major is kinesiology with a special emphasis in special education. Zapata works at the campus Starbucks.

Zapata said he wanted to work there specifically because it is convenient and he could work on his networking skills.

“Networking wise it would get

me to know a lot of the faculty and people that I really needed to be in touch with in order to build up my resume on campus, and just to be more involved on campus. I felt like it would encourage my educational background,” Zapata said.

Zapata said he had to learn how to balance work and school, there was really no choice. Money was a necessity and he had to make it work.

“I support myself, I am able to balance it because I have to,” Zapata said. “When the first of the month comes in and I have 800 plus dollars I have to spend on bills and everything, I don’t have a choice, I have to step up.”

The thing which keeps him going is work ethic and always being able to stay positive even when he

FAREWELL continued from page 1

an overall good experience with ups and downs just like any relationship, business or personal, but was pleased with the progress and growth made in legislation.

In addition to working with other student governments, Rodriguez has also looked to increase communication between SGA and non-SGA students at TAMUCC. To ensure that students have a better knowledge of SGA, Rodriguez has spent endless hours delegating and creating better representations of SGA through social media outlets, OrgSync and emails to the entire student body.

“Working so closely with her, I hope I made a genuine impact in her life,” Perez said. “There is lots of pressures in the Latina culture. Jasmine did a great job of overcoming a lot of those challenges, while rising to a top position of authority in a good way.”

Perez said she has noticed an increase in the overall student awareness of SGA’s role on campus this past year, mainly through the growth of SGA as a whole.

“Jasmine and her team of senators set out to make some goals and those were making SGA more visible and credible,” Perez said. “I think they did a great job of accomplishing that.

Jasmine did a great job of ensuring students’ voices would be heard.”

Rodriguez has also tried to improve student safety maintenance both on and off campus. The student senate was approached from students expressing concerns regarding to the unsafe road conditions of Ennis Joslin Road south-west of South Padre Island Drive near Aspen Heights.

Aspen Heights is home to a majority of the Island University’s student body. Residents were concerned with hazardous conditions with the roads which lack street lines, as

well as utility posts fixed with street lamps, which could possibly prevent accidents and liabilities.

SGA, along with the student senate, initiated a resolution in support of a request to be prepared for the City of Corpus Christi allocating funds toward Ennis Joslin’s unsafe road conditions in a timely manner.

“I never knew what was going to happen, especially at our weekly meetings,” Rodriguez said. “Being able to travel and work with the A&M system and other presidents really helped me resolve problems and do my job more efficiently.”

Rodriguez said her experience with Student Government Association has not always been a cup of tea. Serving as the SGA president brought on plenty of hardships that Rodriguez had to overcome.

“My experience with SGA was very stressful yet rewarding,” Rodriguez said. “I learned a lot about myself and my potential as a leader. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking and being able to feel important enough to communicate to administration the issues needing to be discussed.”

Rodriguez began her last active duties as the SGA president this past week, as she prepared to pass the torch to the new president Garrett Ransom. Ransom previously served as the Vice President for the University Council of Student Organizations (UCSO).

Rodriguez said the door is still wide open upon graduation. Rodriguez is set however on attending graduate school.

“I’m not entirely sure of where I am wanting to go yet,” Rodriguez said. “I have three grad schools in mind, starting with staying here and then both Tech and College Station are my next choices.”

has bad days. According to Zapata, stress may get the best of him sometimes, but he tries to stay positive and not let it get the best of him.

Being able to reach his goals is very important to him and being positive about getting there in the process is very important to him.

“You are here for a reason and you are here to better yourself,” Zapata said. “Why not be positive about being better about yourself.”

Andrea Lozano is Zapata’s manager and she said he was a hard worker and she enjoys having him around. She said school is his number one priority and that is what makes him a good student from what she can tell.

“I think it is awesome that he is going to school for special education,” Lozano said. “He is a gentleman and a really outgoing, outspoken, and shows lots of respect.”

When it comes to school and what he wants to do after he graduates, Zapata said he wants to become a special education teacher.

“I want to work at the high school level. My main focus is to make an inclusive classroom more common,” Zapata said. “I want special

photo by SLOANE ZAPATA

education kids to be mixed in with the general education as much as possible. I want less restriction for the special education programs.”

Zapata mostly has time on the weekends because during the week he is working 37 hours and he takes 14 hours of class as well. Sometimes when he is done working he just changes in the back and goes straight to the library, so the weekends are when he can get personal things done.

“The weekend are my ‘me time,’ because all of my homework is due on Friday. So on the weekends I will relax, clean the house, have a good nap,” Zapata said. “My weekends are my time for me.”

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news

05.19.2016

ISLAND WAVES

Road trips are must in the summer

by KACI ALVAREZ staff writer

S

ummer is the perfect time to clear one’s mind of schoolwork and go on many memory-filled adventures with loved ones.

The great thing about the Lone Star State is it is so big there are so many places to see and the potential to discover new things.

Here are just some of the several amazing Texas road trips you must take over the summer break.

1. Hamilton Pool Hamilton pool is located around 30 miles south of Austin, Texas and was formed when the dome of an underwater river collapsed due to erosion. It is perfect for a day trip filled with relaxing, swimming and exploring.

The pool consists of natural spring fed water and limestone mounds where visitors can jump off. If one is looking for a fun day trip that will not hurt the bank then Hamilton Pool is the perfect place.

2. Marfa, Texas Marfa is a small city in West Texas, located between Big Bend

National Park and the Davis Mountains. Marfa has many unique sights to see while visiting for a few days.

One of the famous trademarks Marfa offers includes the Marfa Mystery Lights. These lights are a popular phenomenon just outside the city and began during the 19th Century and continuous today. No one knows why these ghost-like lights appear or where they come from, but according to witness they are beautiful, whimsical and strange. A definite must see if you enjoy mystery and unexplained sights.

3. Enchanted Rock You enjoy the outdoors and exercise, then Enchanted Rock is the place for you. It is located right in the Llano Uplift about 17 miles north of Fredericksburg, Texas.

Enchanted Rock is a giant pink granite dome, perfect for a day of exploring, hiking, picnicking, camping and even geocaching. The massive dome is surrounded by a national park, which makes a day trip have the capability of turning

6

Lunch Dining Hall

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Cooking Class Hurry, Space is Limited!

(980)521-8666.

photo courtsey of GOOGLE.COM

Hamilton Pool is just one of the many refreshing spots where one can spend a day in Texas.

into a weekend trip full of nature and great company.

4. Gruene, Texas Gruene is a historic town, which dates back to the 1840s when it was settled by German farmers and has now been a happening town filled with the arts.

Gruene is known for the famous Gruene Dance Hall, where “Michael” starring John Travolta was filmed.

Country bands, well known and just starting out, perform there and

people can two-step dance, drink beer and enjoy the music almost every night. If you are not really into the country scene, Gruene also provides wineries and tastings, art festivals and the Guadalupe River if floating is more your thing.

The best part about summer is you can travel as much as you want (granted you have the time). Texas is the perfect state to plan road trips to all parts and will guarantee an exciting time.

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Whether it is Enchanted Rock, Big Bend or the Greenbelt of Austin, Texas always has a great scenery to welcome you on your hike.

6

campus

05.19.2016

ISLAND WAVES

Island Waves

Top Stories of 2015-16

1. From Dean To Provost Former dean of the College of Liberal Arts was officially announced as the new provost and vice president of Acadmeic Affairs for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Dr. Kelly Quintanilla served as the interim provost after the departure of Dr. Chris Markwood.

3.

2. Dining Services Upgrades Following record-breaking student enrollment, the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Dining Services made some prominent upgrades for the on-campus dining system.

3. Think Pink Royalty The Zeta Tau Alpha sorority held its third annual Think Pink Man of the Year Pageant on Oct. 9. Nolan Stack, a sophomore Delta Chi member majoring in marketing, was crowned this year’s among the 26 contestants who entered.

photo by KACI ALVAREZ

10.

4. Sold out Science During the Fall 2015 Distinguished Speaker Series, Bill Nye the Science Guy spoke to students, faculty, staff and the general public about evidence of climate change. The event sold out in a few hours.

5. Soccer clinches postseason The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi women’s soccer team clinched its first-ever appearance into the Southland Conference Tournament after winning five of their last seven regular season games.

photo by KACI ALVAREZ

6. A cut above the Rest The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi women’s volleyball team capped the best year in program history by winning the regular season Southland Conference Championship by defeating the Univer-

sity of Central Arkansas at home.

The Islanders finished a perfect 16-0 in conference play and swept the Southland Conference Tournament to get an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

7. Educator of the Year Dr. Michelle Maresh-Fuehrer, a TAMU-CC graduate and professor of communication, was named the University Educator of the Year for 2015-2016 by the Texas Speech Communication Association.

8. Blue and Greene After capping off a 31-4 season and falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Islanders’ volleyball team saw the departure of head coach Tony Graystone to Texas Tech University. The Islanders followed by hiring Texas A&M University assistant coach Steve Greene as the new head coach for the Islanders.

9. Undefeated The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi women’s tennis team capped off the best finish to a regular season by any Islander athletic program, by finishing 24-0 and sweeping both the regular season and Southland Tournament Championships. The Islanders faced No.15 Stanford in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, falling 4-0.

10. Hydrographic Surveying is all aboard Students from the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Geospatial Information Systems degree track accompanied professor, Christopher McHugh, on a surveying trip off the Corpus Christi bay area for a hands-on approach to experiencing hydrographic surveying and measuring.

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campus

05.19.2016

ISLAND WAVES

photo courtesy of TAMU-CC FLICKR

8.

6. photo by JAMIE FINK

photo by SAMANTHA MAHLER

4.

9. photo by JAMIE FINK

photo by JONATHAN FORNEY

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entertainment

05.19.2016

ISLAND WAVES

2016: Gamers catch glimpse of games to come

by JONATHAN FORNEY staff writer

I

t is nearly halfway through the year and consumers already have plenty of great video games available to play and the lineup is only going to improve as the year progresses.

There are games spanning all manner of genres, so there will certainly be something for every gamer looking for something new to play this year.

A staple of the gaming industry is the First Person Shooter or FPS, for short. These twitchy, fast-paced games are popular among younger gamers and hardcore players alike.

Annualized franchises like “Call of Duty” will be returning this year with “Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare” on Nov. 4. One of the original first person shooter IPs, “Doom” will bring its long-awaited reboot of the same name May 13.

Lastly, newcomer to the FPS genre, Blizzard Entertainment, known for their “World of Warcraft” franchise, will try their hand at shooters with “Overwatch.” The game is a teambased objective driven shooter with more than a dozen unique characters to keep things interesting and May 24 cannot come soon enough.

Another genre poised for a big year is the action-platformer. Players will be able to traverse brilliant cityscapes in “Mirror’s Edge Catalyst,” sequel the critically acclaimed “Mirror’s Edge,” on June 7. On the trend of sequels, popular stealth game

“Dishonored” will continue the story of the first game along with new protagonist, powers and setting.

“Dishonored 2” will be out Nov. 11. For younger players or those who just fancy cute, colorful games, “Kirby: Planet Robobot” (available June 10) will put the world’s favorite little puffball inside a mech suit with more enemies to absorb.

The fourth and final installment in the “Uncharted” series is set to wrap up Nathan Drake’s adventures on May With video games, you control your own destiny. possibilities. The culmination of this 10 in “Uncharted 4: A Thief ’s End.” The cinematic action technology looks to be “No Man’s series is known for its epic sequences Sky” (June 12). The game allows and powered by the Playstation 4, players to travel not only from planet the conclusion should be the most to planet, but across galaxies in a never-ending universe filled with dynamic yet.

“I’m curious to see how they procedurally generated animals, conclude this chapter of the plants and atmospheres.

“The ability to explore a full universe series,” Harris Hipp, a sophomore mechanical engineering major said. that will never be fully complete The trend of big and expansive is just awesome,” Joshua Hunter a open worlds to explore has been sophomore communications major said. “The hype has been a year long, growing in recent years.

As technologies like procedural but I believe they can make it.”

Rounding out the big titles to generation allow for literally infinite game worlds with limitless look forward to is the 15 installment

photo illustration by Jonathan Forney

in one of the longest running and most successful franchises in gaming history: “Final Fantasy XV.” After several rumors and delays, the game will officially release Sept. 30.

2016 is gearing up to be a huge year for games. Developing technologies like virtual reality are opening new frontiers for gamers and with the aforementioned games as well as plenty of others who did not make this list. So make sure ones controllers are charged and try and remember to take breaks to eat, because every one is going to be busy these next few months.

Hurricane Alley Roller Derby portrays women empowerment

by SAMANTHA GANDY contributing writer

T

he official derby team of Corpus Christi, Hurricane Alley Roller Derby (H.A.R.D.), encourages diversity and women empowerment.

Roller derby is a contact sport dominated by women and fueled with aggression.

H.A.R.D. has come a long way since its debut on Oct. 21, 2005. Founding member Nina McDermott (derby name Nina Cochina), helped bring the sport to the coast and has played ever since.

“Our original thought was to start something unique for Corpus,” McDermott said. “Roller derby is a sport that is one of the fastest growing sports for women in the United States.”

McDermott said derby is a way to escape normal life and have fun.

“During the day I have to be a motivating person,” McDermott said. “At derby I still get to be a positive motivation person, but I

also get to hit people.”

McDermott is the only founding member that is still on the team.

She said she is way past her derby expiration date, but that she continues to play because it empowers her and makes her feel strong.

Fae Dziadek, known as Professor Dziadek at the University of Texas A&M Corpus Christi and as Willa Shankspear on the court, has been playing with H.A.R.D. for 6 years now.

“In derby everyone is equal,” Dziadek said. “It doesn’t matter if you are a larger stature or you are very athletic looking; you all have a place, you all have a purpose, and you all need each other to make the game work.”

Dziadek said that she feels derby is the epitomy of empowerment for women.

“I play roller derby because it gives me a sense of being a strong and athletic woman,” Dziadek said.

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entertainment

05.19.2016

ISLAND WAVES

PURRRFECT LIFE

7. The Congo

5. An octagon

3. Chlorophyll

1. 4,164 to 1

10. Mercury

8. Vixen

6. About 16 days

4. Clio

2. Venice, Italy

ANSWERS

9. Jane Austen

1. GAMES: What are the odds of getting four cards of a kind in five- card poker?

2. EXPLORERS: Where was the explorer Marco Polo born?

3. SCIENCE: What is the green pig- ment in plants called?

4. MYTHOLOGY: Which of the Greek Muses was associated with his- tory?

5. GEOMETRY: What is a polygon with eight sides?

6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is the average gestation period of a ham- ster?

7. GEOGRAPHY: What is the only river that flows both north and south of the equator?

8. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which of Santa’s reindeer comes last in the list alphabetically?

9. LITERATURE: Who wrote the 19th-century novel “Sense and Sensi- bility”?

10. ASTRONOMY: What planet is closest in size to our moon?

Izzy Sneed

10

entertainment

05.19.2016

ISLAND WAVES

Hit movies to catch in May

Based on “Through the Looking Glass” by Tim Burton, the second rendition of “Alice in Wonderland” follows Alice who travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter as well as Underland from the evil grasps of the Queen of Hearts and Time, an evil clock-like creature. In theatres May 27.

photos courtesy of GOOGLE.COM

Louisa (Emilia Clark) moves from one job to the next to help her family make ends meet. She becomes the caregiver for Will (Sam Claflin), a wealthy young banker who is now paralyzed. Will’s outlook on life changes when Louisa shows him that life is worth living and their lives and hearts change for the better as their bond deepens. In theatres June 3.

When the raging sisters of Kappa Nu move in next door to couple, Mac (Seth Rogan) and Kelly (Rose Byrne), they get the help of former frat brother and ex-neighbor, Teddy (Zac Efron), to get the wild sorority off the block, so they can sell their house. The sisters refuse to go down without a fight, resulting in a scheming frenzy. In theatres May 20.

Jason Sudeikus plays Red, flightless bird who just can’t get passed the annoyances of his daily life. Due to this outlook, he ends up in an anger management class where he meets fellow misfits, Chuck and Bomb, and gets even more annoyed with green pigs are welcomed by the others. Red, Chuck and Bomb team up to find out the true reason as to why the pigs have arrived. Set to arrive in theatres May 20.

05.19.2016

11

campus

ISLAND WAVES

Communication, media seniors present final projects

Melanie Moroney proudly displays her senior capstone project.

Communication professor and Island Waves faculty adviser Wendy Moore critiques Ernesto Torres’ capstone poster.

Senior Matt Mahavier poses after presenting his senior capstone to the Communication and Media department faculty.

Above: Clarisa Salinas proudly presents her senior capstone research during the poster presentation.

Right: Communication senior Shelby Forward presents her presentation to Communication Professor Dr. Michael Sollitto.

Below: From left to right, Communication professors Dr. Stephanie Rollie-Rodriguez, Shad Tyra and Brooke Friley conjugate to discuss student presentations.

12

sports

05.19.2016

ISLAND WAVES

Softball Team Honors Seniors

by JONATHAN FORNEY staff writer

F

rom April 29-30, the Islander softball team played their last three-game home series of the season against the Wildcats of Abilene Christian University. The team ultimately dropped the series after losing the decisive third game 5-3.

The first two games were played back-to-back and each team took a win from double-header. The Islanders won the first game 4-3 due in part to their advantage at the plate with eight hits compared to six for the Wildcats. Senior Cosette Hernandez went a career high 3-3 in the game to help her team come out on top.

The second game told a different story however. In the 7-3 loss, the hitting dominance went in Abilene Christian’s favor (11 compared to 7, respectively). The team came back to take the lead in the third, but after giving back-to-back threerun innings, there simply were not enough innings remaining to mount another comeback.

In addition to forcing a third game to decide the series, some Islander history was made in the doubleheader. Junior pitcher Liz Carter became the second player in program history to tally 147 strikeouts in a single season. The accolade puts Carter in elite company alongside Islander great, Sarah Pauly.

In the third and final game of the series, head coach Stephanie Hughes put her seniors front and center in their final home game. Before the game began, those in attendance took the time to honor the four seniors and their families for their time at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The foursome of Stephanie Flores, Cosette Hernandez, Dani

Tefft and Allison Bressie all received hugs, flowers and recognition from their coaches, teammates and fans.

“Their leadership is something you can’t coach,” Hughes said. “Their leadership for the younger players is definitely what I’m going to miss the most.”

In her final game at Chapman Field, Flores echoed the sentiment of her coach on leadership.

“You have to do things right when you want others to follow,” Flores said.

Once the photos were taken and hugs exchanged, it was time to finish the series. With Flores on the mound, things began evenly enough with no hits given up or earned through the first inning.

Things took a turn in the second, however. Four hits and three runs later, the Islanders found themselves in a hole. The team responded with their own threerun burst of their own in the sixth

by Tefft, junior Jessica Mendez and sophomore Mariah Clay.

The run for Clay marked the very first of her career, a memorable moment indeed.

Once all was said and done, the team ultimately came up short but the loss felt differently than others.

Obviously, the team wanted to win, but the real goal of the last game was a showcase of everything the seniors had done up to a point and served as a sort of last hoorah in their final game at Chapman Field.

“All four contributed,” Hughes said. “I just wanted to make it a special day for them.”

Following the game, the team’s record stands at 16-29 and 5-18 in conference play. Their final series of the season will be played against Incarnate Word in San Antonio as the team looks to finish the season on a winning note.

photos by JONATHAN FORNEY

Senior Stephanie Flores takes the mound at Chapman Field one last time.

Senior Dani Tefft embraces her head coach before her last home game.

Junior Jessica Mendez attempts to tag a runner to save the play.