10.25.16 by The Paisano

SINCE 1981

VOLUME 54

ISSUE 10

October 25 - November 1, 2016

UTSA A new study by KimKwang Raymond Choo, an information systems and cyber security associate professor, describes a method for detecting “astroturfing,” a practice where an online user will post comments or reviews using multiple accounts. Based on word choice, punctuation and context, the method is able to detect whether one person or multiple people are responsible for the samples.

Roadrunners fail to

grasp homecoming win

Texas The Obama administration filed notice that it will appeal a Texas judge’s ruling that temporarily blocked federal guidelines directing public schools to accommodate transgender students, by allowing them to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity. Federal officials say they will ask the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn an injunction issued by Fort Worth-based U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor.

U.S. Nearly 10,000 California National Guard soldiers are being forced to repay enlistment bonuses a decade after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Audits revealed widespread overpayments by the California Guard at the height of the wars last decade. Investigations have determined that lack of oversight allowed for widespread fraud and mismanagement by California Guard officials under pressure to meet enlistment targets.

Defensive back Dashone Smith of UTEP intercepts a pass to wide reciever Josh Stewart in the second half of Saturday’s game between UTSA and UTEP at the Alamodome. UTSA lost in quintuple-overtime 52-49.

Catch a recap of UTSA v. UTEP on page

UT System has financial ties to Trans-Pecos pipline Alex Birnel News Editor

@alexbirnel news@paisano-online.com “Natural gas could turn things around (economically) for communities that would literally never be able to afford going sustainable with wind and solar

company, controlled by billionaire magnate Carlos Slim. This consortium of companies was awarded the construction and operation contract by Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) in January 2015. Energy Transfer Partners is responsible for constructing and operating the Texas leg of

prompted opposition from activists in the region including ranchers, environmental scientists, archaeologists, indigenous people and concerned residents. An artistic display of their dissent is featured in a short video posted at dearferc.com. Mary Lou Saxon, a Marfa resident in the Big Bend area feels that the

World Venezuelan lawmakers have announced a plan to push for impeachment proceedings against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. In a special session on Sunday, the Venezuelan National Assembly, which is made up mostly of opposition parliamentarians, approved a measure that declared “there has been a breakdown of constitutional order and a continued state of coup led from the highest level of government by President Nicolas Maduro.”

David Guel, The Paisano

Photo courtesy of BBCA Young girls hold signs that draw connections between Trans-Pecos and the Dakota Access Pipeline.

(energy),” said senior environmental science major Andrew Sposato when asked about the construction of the TransPecos pipeline project. The Trans-Pecos pipeline is a subsidiary operation of three companies: Energy Transfer Partners (ETE), MasTech Inc. and Carso Energy. According to the Trans-Pecos website’s home page, the project is “a Texas intrastate pipeline designed to transport 1.4 billion cubic feet per day of clean burning natural gas as part of an agreement with Comisión Federal de Electricidad, Mexico’s federal electricity commission.” While Energy Transfer Partners, LP and Mastech Inc. are based in the U.S., Carso Energy is a Mexico-based oil

the pipeline. That stretch, a 148-mile, 42-inch diameter pipeline, will originate at the Waha Hub outside Fort Stockton, Texas in northern Pecos County. The pipeline will also include delivery locations for local towns and utilities in Central West Texas and will terminate custody at the U.S.-Mexico boundary near Presidio, Texas. From Presidio, the project joins a Mexico-side pipeline at the U.S.-Mexico border approximately 12.2 miles north-northwest of Presidio. On May 5, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted the required permit authorizing the Trans-Pecos Pipeline construction on this side of the border. That authorization has

Trans-Pecos pipeline is a dangerous project. “This area can not afford to be disturbed,” she said. “This whole area is the Big Bend, not just the national park

area. You would never consider running a pipeline in that park; well, this whole area is like a park. It has avoided urbanization by some kind of miracle or the fact that it can be harsh,” she said. “We are relatively untouched by urbanization and we may one day need this area for more mundane uses, like living, star gazing, watching the sunset, sports, clean air. People need that.” For Saxon, TransPecos compromises the rustic beauty of the area. Before Energy Transfers could begin construction, there was an authorization process by FERC that included conducting an archaeological survey to ensure that important geography was not disturbed. Although a review of the area has been conducted and construction has begun, not everyone agrees that the survey thoroughly assessed the pipeline’s potential impact; the Big Bend Conservation Alliance (BBCA), a group that aims to protect the natural and cultural resources of Big Bend argues that “the pipeline system will also impose significant impact on cultural and historic sites and, at an estimated site density greater than one per linear mile, is already

known to have resulted in the destruction of one 7500+-year-old indigenous people’s site, a system of middens, work sites and camping areas.” David W. Keller, Senior Project Archaeologist at the Center for Big Bend Studies, who has an M.A in environmental history, also raised concerns about the nature of the survey. In 2015, he said, “I’ve been conducting professional archeological and historical research in the Big Bend region for almost 15 years; if the methods employed for this survey are indicative of those that may be carried out on other non-jurisdictional portions of the pipeline, then cultural resources along the proposed pipeline route are no better off than if they weren’t surveyed at all. It is difficult to place much faith in an archeological project if the methodology is grossly flawed. That was the case here according to Keller. BBCA found the evidence to back Keller’s claim. According to the group, since much of the route lies along private property, little of it has been subject to pedestrian survey. The company responsible surveyed only 8.4 total miles of the 148mile route. The project will carry 1.4 billion cubic feet of

See Trans-Pecos, page 2

Construction workers from Energy Transfer Partners encounter activists on a segment of the Trans-Pecos pipeline.

Photo courtesy of BBCA

NEWS Trans-Pecos pipeline snakes through Big Bend 2

U.S. natural gas per day to Mexico, and has no customers in Texas or the United States. Sposato, sees potential for a shortterm benefit for Mexico in the project because liquid natural gas produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline and is much more efficient than burning coal per unit of energy produced. According to Sposato, this pipeline may not be as bad as it looks to activists because of the possibility that Mexico will transition away from coal and toward natural gas. Annual reports from

October 25 - November 1, 2016

CEO and Chairman of Energy Transfer Partners, LP, serves on UT System Chancellor McRaven’s Executive Council. The Big Bend Conservation Alliance has outlined the connections between the UT System and oil extraction on their website in a section titled “Conflicts of Interest in the University of Texas System.” The page features links to a petition started by the group Environment Texas that calls on Chancellor McRaven to discontinue investing in companies that frack for oil and to cease leasing university land for

“The company responsible

surveyed only 8.4 total miles of the 148-mile route.”

Big Bend Conservation Alliance The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) show that the UT System has significant financial holdings in Energy Transfer Partners. UTIMCO is the external investment corporation formed in 1996 that oversees investments under its fiduciary control for The University of Texas and Texas A&M Systems. In 2014, UTIMCO reported $104.4 billion in holdings and 180,999 shares in ETE. Additionally, the report shows holdings in two companies wholly owned by ETE, Regency Energy Partners and Sunoco Logistics Partners. UTIMCO holds a $8.3 million investment from Regency Energy Partners and a $6.97 million investment from Sunoco Logistics Partners. UTIMCO also holds shares of stock in those companies: 257,643 and 147,928 shares, respectively. Further, Kelcy Warren,

extraction projects. The leasing of university land generates approximately $600 million dollars a year. Last month, activists in Alpine, Texas marched in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in their encampment against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) near reservation areas that encompass the borderland between North and South Dakota. Another march, organized by the Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Service, took place in Houston last week. Not all dissent against the pipeline has revolved around environmental concerns. According to Matt Lara, BBCA Executive Director, approximately one-third of the route’s miles were obtained from unwilling sellers through force of the courts in eminent domain condemnation proceedings. There are 39 suits spanning three counties; many are still pending

in court due to the pipeline company’s protest of the damages awards. Moreover, when the FERC application was under review, more than 1000 comments were written in opposition to the project and consequently registered on the docket for CP15-500, the Presidio Crossing Project: the so-called “jurisdictional facility associated with the Trans-Pecos Pipeline.” Activists march to the ETP construction site. Photo courtesy of BBCA One of the more anxious testimonies came from Alpine, Texas resident Elizabeth Ingels Rhodes in 2015 “Over the last 10 years I have seen two massive fires threaten Marfa and Alpine. My husband and I stood all night in our front lawn hoping and praying that the inferno burning on the horizon would not jump over the road between us and reach our home and the homes of elderly neighbors that we would have to help escape the flames. Archaeologist watches as an undocumented archaeological site is dug up by bulldozers. Photo courtesy of BBCA What would happen to this country and it’s flora and fauna were the 42-inch ETP pipeline to explode? Hell would have no fury like the destruction it would cause to all of us,” she said. Under the Safety tab of the TransPecos website, Energy Transfers states that they have long-standing commitments to the safety of people, the environment, property and assets. “We do this because it makes good business sense, but more importantly, it is the right thing to do,” the company said.

The Trans-Pecos pipeline cuts through the Paisano Pass volcano.

Photo courtesy of BBCA

Bexar County breaks voter registration record Tufts University studies UTSA students’ voting patterns states that the voting

Danielle Throneberry rate was 55.7 percent for Staff Writer

@ThePaisano news@paisano-online.com As of Oct. 11, the last day for Texas residents to register to vote either in-person or by mail, a groundbreaking number of Bexar County residents–a total of over 1 million– were registered to vote. According to the Texas Secretary of State (TSS) website, 918,552 Bexar County residents registered to vote in 2012, and 957,110 registered to vote in 2014; statistics show that voter registration has jumped by over 118,000 since 2012. The TSS website also

registered Bexar County voters in 2012 and just 31.4 percent in 2014–likely a reflection of residents’ perceived significance of presidential elections compared to mid-term elections. Furthermore, 25.5 percent of registered voters participated in early voting in 2012 compared to 19.8 percent of registered voters in 2014. Statistics show that early voting rates in Bexar County have steadily decreased since the 2004 presidential election. According to Brian Halderman, the program director for the UTSA Center for Civic Engagement, the university participates in the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement conducted by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University. The study incorporates publicly available voter engagement

data with enrollment records submitted to the National Student Clearinghouse from UTSA. UTSA participated in the study during the 2012 presidential election, the 2014 midterm election and is participating again this year. The university should receive 2016 results sometime next year. New data will provide insight into whether voter registration and voter turnout have improved since 2012 and 2014. The data generated by the study in 2012 and 2014 revealed pertinent information about university voter registration and turnout rates. It indicated that more than half of UTSA’s students were registered—68.1 percent in 2012 and 66.5

percent in 2014. The conversion rate of registered students was 57 percent in 2012–consistent with Bexar county turnout– and 23 percent in 2014, slightly lower than turnout across the county. The report signaled other interesting trends. For example, women voted at a higher rate than men in both of the elections. In 2012, 40 percent of women registered actually voted compared to just 32.8 percent of men. Likewise, in 2014, 15.4 percent of registered women and 13.4 percent of registered men actually voted. However, in both election cycles more men were registered to vote than women. Furthermore, the report demonstrated that in both elections the majority of registered

students voted early—with 68.6 percent in 2012 and 59.4 percent in 2014— illustrating how important early voting is for the university. When asked about her motivations for voting, junior Jamie Ramirez explained that voting has always intimidated her. Despite these fears, she was concerned about the alarming and significant non-voting percentages and that influenced her to become civically engaged. “My fear of what each candidate could do as president is greater than my fear of voting,” Ramirez stated. “I don’t want to be a part of the body that complains about the president—but never voted.” Freshman Hunter Teirney believes that voter registration has increased in the county because this year’s presidential election is seen as

one of the most important in the history of the U.S. “My motivations for voting are to make sure that the wrong person for office does not get elected,” Teirney said. In contrast, junior Stephanie Terranova said her concerns are economic improvement, the impact on the Supreme Court and ISIS. She believes that voting is a privilege and that voter registration has increased because of younger voters’ drive to be more politically active. “More people have seen the direction America is going and want to change it,” Terranova said. “Newer generations care more and want to truly be heard and share their voice.”

October 25 - November 1, 2016

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OPINION

October 25 - November 1 , 2016

The Paisano Vote as if our future depends on it Editor in Chief: Caroline Traylor Managing Editor: Brady Phelps

because it does. editorial

News Editor: Alex Birnel Arts & Life Editor: Annette Barraza Sports Editor: Anthony Suniga Web Editor: Ricardo Rodriguez Photography Editor: Ethan Pham Magazine Editor: Jade Cuevas News Assistant: Gaige Davila Arts & Life Assistant: Raquel E. Alonzo

Managing Assistant: Justice Lovin Photo Assistant: Tristan Ipock Magazine Assistant: Raquel Simon Calderon Senior Copy Editor: Katelyn Wilkinson Business Manager: Will Stransky Marketing Director Social Media Coordinator: Kesley Smith

Voters line up to cast their ballots early. UTSA students who are registered can vote early in the Bexar Room of the H-E-B University Center. Sixty-seven percent of UTSA students were registered to vote in 2014, but only 23 percent of those registered actually cast a ballot. Over 59 percent of those who did voted early. Take advantage of this convenience and vote!

POINT, COUNTERPOINT: The pumpkin spice latte Point

Advertising Marketing Liaison: Jenelle Duff

STAFF Ashlee Morales, Raquel Simon Calderon, Casey Luna, Christopher Breakell, Chris Herbert, Aidan WatsonMorris, Anelia GomezCordova, Isaac Serna, Benjamin Shirani, Danielle Throneberry, Abby Sharp

Ethan Pham

@EthanBethan

Pumpkin, spice, together make the fall season nice. Or so it seems. Fall is undoubtedly PHOTO TEAM a favorite time of the Tristan Ipock, David Guel, year in the eyes of big Benjamin Shirani corporations. Year after year, it seems that MARKETING TEAM fall is lasting longer Sam Patel, Kesley Smith, and longer. Catherine Adams, Stephanie Spearheading the Valdez, Valery Assad, Antonio early fall season is Ramirez the quintessential pumpkin-spice latte (PSL for short), which CONTRIBUTORS has garnered a quasiDavid Rodriguez, Josh Zollicoffer, cult craze. Frankie Leal, Jordan Easley The PSL can be nothing short of ADVISOR great considering its Diane Abdo popularity, but it fails to represent the fall season. It seems PSLs ADVISORY BOARD have become nothing Steven Kellman, Jack Himelblau, Sandy Norman, Stefanie Arias, Diane Abdo, Red Madden The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization. The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods. The Paisano is distributed on all three UTSA campuses — Main, Downtown and the Institute of Texan Cultures. Additionally, Paisano publications are distributed at a variety of off-campus locations, including Tri-point and a variety of apartment complexes near the UTSA Main Campus. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed to:

14526 Roadrunner Way Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210)-690-9301 © 2016, The Paisano The University of Texas at San Antonio's Handbook of Operating Procedures states in 5.03 that: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will not exercise control over the format or content of Student Publications, but will regulate distribution on campus. Student Publications will be free of censorship and advance approval of copy, and their editors and managers are solely responsible for editorial and content policies and decisions. Editors and managers of Student Publications will not be subject to arbitrary suspension/expulsion or removal from their positions within a Registered or Sponsored Student Organization (Student Organization) by the University because of student, faculty, administrative, or public disapproval of editorial policy or content. Student Organizations that distribute Student Publications are afforded the same rights and privileges as Student Organizations that do not distribute Student Publications.

more than a marketing ploy to draw in more sales. Before summer has ended, grocery aisles are stocked with pumpkin-spice flavored products, and businesses across the U.S. unveil their takes on pumpkinspice flavored, well, everything. Marketing for pumpkin everything is an ingenious strategy on the part of companies, but an emphasis on marketing detracts from what fall truly represents. Fall is a season not of pumpkin spice but of harvest, autumnal festivities and bringing people inward, both physically and mentally, preparing for winter. By no means does this mean that people should stop buying pumpkin spice-flavored things until fall has officially begun, but they should understand that the emergence of pumpkin-spice season is less about the fall season and more about

making money from consumers. Corporate marketing has created a disconnect about why and how we celebrate things—the pumpkinspice latte—around this time of year. Oversaturation will inevitably lead to desensitization to products. This principle of marketing removing the meanings behind holidays and seasons goes beyond just the PSL; marketing ploys are in nearly every holiday and season, but people should buy what they want because they truly want it. Do not fall prey to marketing ploys that exploit your emotions in order to make a quick buck.

CounterPoint

Caroline Traylor @paisanocaro

Ethan Pham, The Paisano

Finally, the best season of the year is here. There are so many reasons to love fall; the leaves change colors, you can finally wear your favorite, cozy sweaters and the sweet and spicy smell of pumpkin spice wafts through coffee shops. Starbucks debuted the beloved pumpkin spice latte 16 years ago and has sold an average of 20 million drinks each year, according to Forbes. The PSL is an inanimate object and shouldn’t be gendered, but alas, every fall, women and girls are ridiculed for their excitement toward the seasonal beverage. There are social media accounts (such as @brosbeingbasic) dedicated exclusively to mocking girls’ love

of fall activities: wearing leggings, visiting pumpkin patches and of course, purchasing that perfect combination of espresso, milk, pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. Women who drink PSLs are called “basic” which is really just coded language to dismiss “feminine” interests. If a trend emerges, and the majority of participants are women, it’s described as basic. The puppy filter on Snapchat, Taylor Swift and the PSL are just a few examples. These interests are no less vapid than say, fantasy football, but “masculine” hobbies are afforded a legitimacy and understanding that women’s are not. Men: stop dismissing women by calling us basic and let us live! Fall is wonderful and the PSL is delicious. Reject the fragile concept of masculinity and give it a try. Your tastebuds will thank you.

The only clowns we have to fear are ourselves Commentary

Ricardo Rodriguez @ThePaisano

It’s as if the world was suddenly plunged into a John Carpenter slasher film in what can only be described as the invasion of clowns. Recently, clowns have begun lurking in secluded places at night like empty roads or cemeteries to scare unsuspecting people. While some are harmless pranks, others have taken it further by wielding weapons, luring children and even threatening schools. Clown sightings have spread throughout the U.S., baffling police

and terrifying residents. If you ask older generations what their perception of clowns are, they might recall fond memories of silly, smiling clowns at childhood birthday parties. However, newer generations grew up with a different take on the clown. The shift from playful party entertainers to macabre demons was relatively recent. The most infamous incident was in the 1970s when John Wayne Gacy, under the guise “Pogo the Clown,” sexually assaulted and murdered at least 33 teenage boys. The gruesome nature of these murders sparked mass hysteria. The ’80s and ’90s played on the mass hysteria of the demented clown in horror movies such as “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” (1988), “Clownhouse” (1989), “Out of the Dark” (1988) and, of course, Stephen King’s novel and film “It.” These films featured a sadistic side to clowns that

has forever warped their image. In 2016, the advent of social media and viral videos has allowed morose performers to bring these films to life. Various clowns have posted their antics on social media further fanning the flame. It may have started with one but has quickly inspired copycats to follow suit. Some speculate that the clown sightings are part of a viral marketing campaign for the movie remake of “It.” And while this movie marketing may have started the trend, the clown movement has begun to take on a life of its own in the creepiest example of life imitating art. The worst part is not the

clowns themselves but the mass panic that has followed. These clowns have taken our peace of mind hostage. Even those who have not encountered a creepy clown still feel the paranoia as if they had. While it is easy to fall into this wide-spread coulrophobia (extreme fear of clowns), this fear plays into

their hands and gives them the power. It is reminiscent of children’s (and some adults’) irrational fear of the dark. Once they turn on the light, it’s gone. If we detach the fear associated with clowns, they cease to become entities of horror and are reduced to what they truly are: clowns.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

October 25 - November 1, 2016

OPINION

Students launch aeronautics and rocketry club Student organization spotlight Adriene Goodwin @hey_adreezy

At 16 years old, Erick Castillon was depressed and dismayed with his low academic performance at Alamo Heights High School. A final attempt by his school counselor led him to Mr. Colin Lang’s class. Rocketry, it seemed, would become Castillon’s redemption. “I sucked at math; I sucked at science; I sucked at almost everything I could do,” Castillon recalled. “I contemplated just dropping out.” When he walked into Mr. Lang’s rocket-lined classroom, Castillon said he felt an immediate change of heart. While not entirely eager to stay in school, he was eager to get his hands on some rockets and get those rockets in the air. His first launch inspired him to keep going. Though his rocket crashed, Castillon now had an appetite for the sky. “That’s so cool. I want to go higher.” And go higher he did. Castillon channeled his frustration into rockets, but, eventually, those rockets carried a new traction of hope and aspiration.

UTSA’s new Aeronautics and Rocketry Club (ARC) is the brainchild of Castillon. The organization unofficially began in fall 2015, but Castillon, the group’s founder, left school to take his second internship with NASA; his first internship was for nuclear propulsion while the second was for the current Mars Rocket Space Launch System (SLS). Upon his return during the summer 2016 semester, Castillon finalized ARC’s status as an official UTSA club, and he sought to gain more members by a very risky and unusual tactic. He brought one of his rockets to campus as a sort of promotional piece—it was 11-feet long. During a summer school tour, Castillon casually walked behind the tour guide. “No one was paying attention to the speaker,” he laughed. “All eyes were on the rocket. I was basically a one-man parade during the (summer) semester.” Castillon noted that one specific thing contributed to the spark that ignited his interest in the club: the application of STEM inherent in rocketry science. ARC’s mission statement asserts that the club “aims

to expose UTSA to the rewarding science of rocketry” and “to teach students and its members valuable work experience and skills through real-world applications.” These two components are based on Castillon’s personal experiences. “The application really helped me see what science and math can do,” he said. Furthermore, Castillon expressed concern on the fleeting focus of rocketry and aeronautics in American education and culture. During the Apollo program of the 1960s, application was everywhere. “You had eight-yearold kids going to school and flying rockets,” said Castillon. “They were doing something fun to incorporate math and science. After the ‘60s, we just stopped. Our ranking in education stops. We’re no longer number one. What happened, America?” According to the 2015 Degrees Awarded Fact Book from the UTSA Office of Institutional Research, only eight percent of UTSA graduates received degrees from the College of Engineering, with 331 students earning the bachelor’s degree from an engineering field. UTSA

Photo courtesy of the Aeronautics and Rocketry Club

does offer an Aerospace Studies minor within the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Texas A&M University and the University of Texas each have their own well-established Aerospace Engineering programs. UT in particular boasts a wide array of astronaut alumni including Alan Bean, the fourth man to walk on the moon. With SpaceX in Brownsville, NASA in Houston and Boeing and Lockheed Martin around the San Antonio area, Castillon feels like UTSA and Alamo City are ripe to seize opportunities within the aerospace field. The Aero-Engines Americas Conference comes to San Antonio in February 2017, suggesting others have noticed San Antonio’s potential.

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Seeking: Lifelong learners and careerdriven, highly motivated individuals Guest commentary Jesse Allen Samudio Associate Director, Graduate Recruitment & Student Engagement @utsagradschool

The Graduate School at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is seeking prospective students who are lifelong learners, career driven, ambitious and highly motivated to succeed. These qualities are essential for students who are seeking an advanced degree at competitive top-tier institutions. As a top-tier institution, UTSA has many of these high-caliber junior and seniors who are on the cusp of completing their undergraduate degrees and entering the workforce. There is a central question that should be asked by those individuals: Do I need an advanced degree to be successful in my career path? The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) reported in 2013 that master’s education is now the

accepted entry-level degree for professional areas such as business and public health. There are skillsets that are directly intertwined with an advanced degree like critical thinking, time management and analytical assessment. Conscientious and astute students are concerned about the additional cost of graduate education and the return on their investment. It is necessary to understand the benefits you may gain as a result of obtaining a master or doctoral degree. First, there is the intrinsic value of being a lifelong learner and understanding that both formal and informal professional development will provide growth and value to your personal and professional life. Second, there is a financial incentive that comes with a graduate degree. CGS reported that the potential income gained over a lifetime for an individual who achieved a master’s degree is $2.7 million compared to those with a bachelor’s degree at $2.2 million. Third, there is a sense of accomplishment and greater recognition that comes

with an advanced degree. An advanced degree is likely to open doors and opportunities for career advancement. As a top-tier institution, we are providing a unique opportunity for all of our students, alumni and San Antonio community to participate in our upcoming “Tip Talk for Graduate Student Panel” with panelists from the NYU School of Professional Studies, UNT College of Business, USC Viterbi School of Engineering and our own UTSA College of Sciences to discuss the road to graduate admission and tips for a successful application on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Graduate School Professional Development Center in GSR 1.204. We will be hosting 67 universities and professional programs from across the country on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the 2016 Graduate and Professional School Fair held in the University Center North.

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Castillon intends for the club to create a UTSA collection of rockets for the university’s own use, capable of launching a payload from 1-50 lbs. at an altitude of one mile. Three launches were planned for this semester, the first having occurred about a month ago. The second will be during the first week of November, with a goal to reach 1,000 ft. using a small Estes engine. ARC’s final launch for the semester is anticipated to reach half a mile up. Students will design their own rockets and have their projects heavily checked and reviewed by the Critical Design Review Process—a standard by which Mr. Lang evaluated the work of his high school students and by which Castillon will now scrutinize the ARC rockets.

ARC has no budget. They operate strictly off donations from sponsors including Southwest Research Institute, which provided materials for ARC to build their first generation of rockets. Community outreach, particularly geared toward young space oddities, is a longterm focus for the club. With his humble beginnings continuously influencing his vision, UTSA’s own rocket man emphasized the desire to share what has been shared with him: to find someone looking down and challenge them to look up to the stars. “I won’t really feel accomplished,” Casillon said, “until I know I inspired some kid or student here— or even a faculty member— that rocketry can be fun... that it is feasible to learn.”

Photo Poll

The Paisano asked: “Do you think media–TV shows and magazines– portray unrealistic beauty standards? Do you feel pressured to have a certain body type?” Photos and interviews by Ethan Pham Austen Guerrero Informational systems junior "I believe so, yes. I don’t feel pressure, but I do feel that it is more acceptable to have it (a certain body type). You’ll be more favored by the opposite sex or society if you have better get-go on it (your body)." Chris Gutierrez Cyber Security junior "I believe so. To a certain extent (I feel pressured), yes.

Alauna Hunt Public health sophomore "I do believe that media does play a big role, especially in women’s body images. It is completely unproportioned to what is natural. I don’t (feel pressured), I’ll just be fat if I want to." Erik Campos Athletic medicine junior "No, not really, I wouldn’t think. No, I don’t feel pressured."

Mallory Eastland Environmental science graduate student " Yes, overall. Currently, no (I don’t feel pressured), but it is definitely something I’ve dealt with in the past, just like every young woman in our society does at some point or another."

ARTS & LIFE

October 25 - November 1, 2016

Quit clowning around ARTS & LIFE COMMENTARY Annette Barraza Arts & Life Editor

@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com

Graphic by Tristan Ipock

Stephen King thinks it’s time to tone down the clown hysteria. As the author of the book “It,” whose words crawled their way into a fear at best and a phobia at worst (later made into a movie that still haunts the subconsciouses of thousands of people who grew up with his movie and are still afraid of clowns), it makes sense for King to comment on the latest clown craze. Penn State went clown hunting. Schools have sent letters to parents and others banned clown costumes while schools in Ohio have temporarily shut down. Conspiracy theorists

have awoken from their slumber and vigilantes have jumped to the cause. Thankfully, no one has died. All this to say that people have some serious issues. Not only those who are deliberately dressing up as clowns to terrify people but also those who would willingly play the role of damsel in distress after listening to the news or reading a Facebook post. Those cowering in fear must have selective memory. We are facing a historic election, global warming, destructive diseases and many more terrifying prospects - all of which are more important than a few adolescents trying to scare people. Instead of focusing on possible solutions to our problems, we decide to lose sleep and organize hunts for crazy clowns. Thus, I humbly submit to you these alternative costume ideas. If you trust your squad, you could all dress up with a common theme or do a variation of the “Secret Santa” tradition and have someone else choose or create your costume. Be prepared to either loathe or love your friends based on their selection. If you have a tangible fear (something you can craft into a costume), dress up in the spirit of Halloween and be the thing

you fear most. This could be either therapeutic or traumatizing. Channel your inner Dr. Seuss and create something completely new; something undefined by a dictionary or depicted in a movie or book. Conversely, you could pay homage to your favorite character by crafting your costume after them/it (tip: choose the underdog; it will make for a good conversation starter). You could throw it back by dressing as a dinosaur or even a bacteria (see Giant Plush Microbes). Admittedly, this might be difficult to DIY. You could become a kid again by taking the opportunity to buy something from the new Toy Story Vans collection and styling your costume around it or another movie from your childhood. After all, isn’t this the scariest costume of all? It makes us wonder if we are too old to dress up anymore. Lastly, you could be heroic and dress up in a costume for an actual cause. For example, a vulva costume created by Conceived in Brooklyn, partner of “50 Cents. Period.” brings attention to the stigma girls and women in impoverished communities face around menstruation and those who lack access to feminine hygiene products.

Sadly, instead of hearing about worthy and witty costumes , we get to hear about humans who decided to inspire mass hysteria to distract us from the real issues and problems in our world today. The actual victims in this case are real, we-do-this-for-aliving clowns. “Clown Lives Matter” is a movement created by a professional clown actor and followed by clown lovers to remind people that clowns do not lurk in the woods trying to kill people. Instead, they are humans who dress up and go to parties and hospitals to try to make people laugh. Or they work at haunted houses and theme parks to scare people who willingly walk into the attraction knowing what to expect. Many career clowns now fear for their jobs and even their lives in the midst of the mass hysteria created by a few jokesters looking for a bit of fun. It isn’t fair for careers to suffer and people to panic due to a few crazies. Neither is it wise to take this whole thing as a joke because, after all, it only takes one person to take this game too far. If you must dress up as something, at least be original. So please, quit clowning around.

Graphic By: Tristan Ipock

Graphic by Tristan Ipock

A seat at the table By: Ryan Thompson

Ponciano Seoane: The Voice contestant

was so impressive that it turned the chairs of the two coaches with available @ThePaisano spots on their teams. After arts@paisano-online.com turning around for Seoane, Adam Levine and Miley “I was really, really Cyrus fought for Seoane to nervous. It was the last day be on their teams. Because of the blind auditions, and of Seoane’s admiration for I knew there weren’t that Levine’s persuasiveness and many spots left. Have you confidence, Seoane chose ever felt so nervous that all Adam Levine. you literally want to do is Music has always been an cry and get it out?” important part of Seoane’s Ponciano Seoane felt this life. As a child he memoway as he stood backstage rized all the lyrics of the waiting for the opportunity songs his mom and dad of a life time: performing played in the car. In middle on the stage of The Voice school and high school, for millions of people and where he fell in love with the four superstar coaches: music, he played the saxophone and guitar. Seoane started taking his music career seriously when he was a student at St. Mary’s University—he would sing and play his guitar in the dorms and at the open mic nights. Seoane also played at the Main Plaza downtown, which opened many doors for him. Currently, he plays at the Holiday Inn at the RiverCourtesy of Ponciano Seoane walk in the restaurant’s bar. Ponciano Seoane’s impressive voice earned him a spot on this season’s TV show, The Voice. Music allows Seoane to

Taiwo Adepoju Staff Writer

Adam Levine, Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys and Blake Shelton. Seoane, a junior business major at UTSA, decided to audition for The Voice in an open call in Houston, Texas after getting a text from his mom about the audition. Although he didn’t think anything was going to come out of it, Seoane still auditioned because to him, “you never know until you try.” After auditioning, Seoane got to perform a beautiful rendition of “Home” by Phillip Phillips during the blind stage of The Voice. His performance

express himself. It’s something he can’t live without. Before The Voice, Seoane went to school and workedsimultaneously and is continuing to do so today. He takes classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, works on Mondays and Wednesdays, and keeps his weekends free to play gigs. He hopes to use his business degree to further his music career. Having a music career has been a challenge for Seoane, but with his hard work and support from family, friends and coworkers, he is holding on and pushing forward. Being on The Voice will allow Seoane to grow as an artist, and he is excited to make the most out of his experience. Whether or not he wins, he will continue to pursue his music and bring people joy through his songs. You can follow Ponciano Seoane on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Make sure to tune into The Voice, and let’s support our fellow UTSA student.

Beer Festival

Jessica Jimenez, The Paisano

By: Jessica Jimenez

Victoria Cuellar, The Paisano

The Lights Festival By: Victoria Cuellar

October 25 - November 1, 2016

ARTS & LIFE

Oscar Tu on the importance of youth voters ‘Priceless’ tackles human trafficking Raquel L. Alonzo

Katelyn Wilkinson

Arts and Life Assistant

Senior Copy Editor

@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com

Nov. 8, 2016 will be remembered in children’s social studies textbooks for generations to come. This election year has been one hell of a ride for Americans across the nation; Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have made history as the presidential candidates who went head-to-head in an almost gruesome battle for the Oval Office. Those who are registered to vote and plan on casting their ballots on Nov. 8 must make the “tough decision” between Donald or Hillary. And those who are registered but decide against voting because they see their votes as meaningless are wrong. Oscar Tu, social media coordinator for San Antonio’s division of the Hillary Clinton campaign, is a junior studying public health at UTSA. Tu hopes to attend medical school and become a specialist in either cardiology or psychiatry. Though Tu was born in San Antonio, his parents are firstgeneration immigrants from Southern China. “I picked UTSA because it was closer to home, and I heard it was a good school to attend for pre-med students,” said Tu. “Before medical school, I would like to get as much exposure as I can to government, both in the United States and abroad. I believe it’s important for medical practitioners to have a firm grasp of what happens in their government because that understanding will help with developing a more holistic picture of a patient’s situation.” Tu explained that he got involved with the HRC cam-

@KatelynMarie11 arts@paisano-online.com

Courtesy of Oscar Tu

paign in order to broaden his horizons within government. He said the campaign is aiming to reign in volunteers for the remainder of the election and will be focusing on getting people to actually go out and vote on Nov. 8. The campaign primarily utilizes two modes of communication to reach potential voters : calling people who are registered as Democrats and ‘block-walking’. “Block-walking, or meeting face-to-face, is the best way to increase voter turnout,” said Tu. People generally respond positively to this gesture and see the people who put forth their time and effort going door-to-door as worth listening to. The youth vote has become a hot topic during this election. Millennials (adults ages 18-35 in 2016) have surpassed the massive population of the baby boomers (ages 52-70) and while we have begun to take over as the largest generation of eligible voters in America, we are

still far from being the largest generation of actual voters. Historically, young voters are less likely to vote than their elders. Although millennials are no exception to this norm, Tu explained why eligible, registered youth voters should cast their ballot on election day. “It’s always important,” said Tu when asked how crucial it is for millennials to vote. “A lot of them (millennials) just feel like…(their) vote won’t make a difference because it’s just one in all of these billions of people…if (they) don’t vote, what does that matter?” Although the election has been rather comical, choosing not to vote isn’t as funny as you may think.

According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, an organization dedicated to ending human trafficking and providing resources for victims, 3,646 human trafficking cases have been reported so far this year in the U.S.—307 of these cases were in Texas alone. You didn’t know that human trafficking occurred in our country? Neither did I. Human trafficking, often called modern-day slavery, occurs in every country and is one of the most prevalent crimes in the world, but it is one that is rarely covered in the media. Based on the book by the same title (written by brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, lead singers of the Grammy awardwinning band for KING & COUNTRY), “Priceless” masterfully and passionately covers this largely ignored topic and one of its root causes: the decline of women’s selfworth. The movie combines excellent acting and emotionally powerful scenes to raise awareness of human trafficking and encourage women to understand their worth. The “Priceless” screenplay, written by Chris Dowling and

Tyler Poelle and directed by Ben Smallbone, follows the story of James Stevens (Joel Smallbone), a widower who lost control of his life after his wife’s death. When he loses custody of his daughter, Stevens agrees to drive a truck with unknown cargo across the country to earn some quick cash. When he discovers the cargo is actually two sisters, Antonia (Bianca A. Santos) and Maria (Amber Midthunder), bound for a forced-prostitution ring, he has to make a choice: ignore it and go back home to his daughter or risk his life to save them. Along this journey, Stevens learns about faith, heroism and the value of a woman. Though better known for singing than acting, Joel Smallbone steals every scene he is in. Using his animated facial expressions and body language, he portrays the downcast and lost Stevens at first with apathy, then with strong and unguarded emotion; especially in scenes between Stevens and his daughter. In a scene where Stevens is deciding whether to help Antonia and Maria, he dreams that the leader of the

Screenshot of the movie, ‘Priceless’

prostitution ring (Jim Parrack) abducts his daughter the same way he took the sisters, bringing human trafficking a little closer to home. This scene is one of the most powerful and emotional scenes in the movie, with Smallbone banging on the motel window, crying, screaming and slapping his hands to his head in a vain attempt to save his daughter. Smallbone’s ability to go from apathy to empathy and use his body language and facial expressions to display these emotions make him one of the best parts of this movie. The excellent acting, powerful scenes and faith-based script come together to drive the point home: as James Stevens says in the movie, “you’ve been taught to talk and dress and act like you’re cheap, but…we believe that there is a God who knows exactly what you’re worth”. All people, no matter what size, race, shape or gender, are priceless. “Priceless” is showing only in select theatres. For information on theatres and showtimes, go to pricelessthemovie.com.

Get to know SA: Haunted hot spots

Graphic By: Tristan Ipock

Rocky Horror: Let’s NOT do the time warp ARTS & LIFE Commentary Raquel Simon Calderon

Magazine Assistant @ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com

When Fox announced the remake of the beloved 1975 cult movie, Rocky Horror Picture Show, fans of the original reacted in various ways. Many, including myself, were concerned about the remake being absolutely horrible and, of course, it totally was. The attempt of a remake aired Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. When I found out about the remake, the time and channel were my first concerns. I feared the essence of the original would be lost in the midst of keeping everything family friendly with lots of censorship. The movie was definitely toned down, and it seemed like Kenny Ortega—the director of the High School Musical trilogy and now RHPS: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again— could not leave his past behind as he ruined this iconic movie. Ortega added an unnecessary number of people to scenes and made a fake audience participate throughout the movie, similar to midnight shows in the 1970s where people would dance, scream and mime some of the movie’s scenes—only in this case, it was a paid cast and really did not add anything to the remake. This movie was converted into a musical/concert by adding choir girls, microphones and a band that seemed to be all over the place. There were many things I did not like about the remake. First, they completely butchered every single song, and the most painful one to hear was “Time Warp”; it was off-rhythm with hideous choreography that added complicated steps to a simple routine. That was a big no-no that made the rest of the movie a complete waste of time. The wardrobe was also an issue. The costume designer did

a horrible job. Everything was too embellished, cheap and looked like it came straight out of a Hot Topic store. I still have no idea what kind of hat Dr. Frank-N-Furter wore when he first appeared. Similar to the chaotic costumes and choreography, the set was way too clean and perfect. Instead of resembling the creepy old castle in the middle of nowhere, this looked more like a neon party at the Xavier’s school for gifted youngsters from X-men. That clean and organized castle took away the creepy, intruding feeling from the viewers. A major setback to making this movie was that they tried to keep it all too pretty, not only with the set, but the casting as well. The only person I have no complaints about was Tim Curry, who did a great job as the Criminologist with an assistant, since the stroke he suffered four years ago left him in a wheelchair and with a slight speech impediment. Victoria Justice did an okay job as Janet Weiss. Her voice saved her role, but that blue skirt suit didn’t suit her well. Cobalt blue does not represent her character’s innocence and naiveté, but that wasn’t her fault. Ryan McCartan played Brad Majors and that was just painful to watch. Reeve Carney was tall and had perfect hair, not the creepy semi-bald Riff Raff we all know and love. Someone decided to take Magenta’s role too literally and dyed Christina Milian’s hair magenta, which was unnecessary and distracting. Annaleigh Ashford played a rather good Columbia; again, there were some mishaps with the costume but overall she was good. Eddie “Meatloaf” was played by Adam Lambert and there was nothing meaty about him. His voice was magnificent, but apart from that, his only scene lacked some serious acting because once again, it was turned

Manger Hotel (left) and the Crockett Hotel (right) are located in the heart of SA.

ARTS & LIFE COLUMN Raquel E. Alonzo Arts & Life Assistant @ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com

Ethan Pham, The Paisano

into a concert. Rocky, Dr. Furter’s creation who was supposed to be dreamy “with blond hair and a tan” was a disappointment. His very obviously dyed blond hair (with dark roots) and overtanned skin was a total buzz - kill. Laverne Cox, although a great break for the LGBT community with the striking role as Dr. FrankN-Furter, didn’t quite do it for me. I missed the manliness that Tim Curry gave us, with the dark make-up, crazy afro hair, hairy armpits, boxy sexy body and the pearl necklace. Yes, Cox added some sexual flair to the role, but to be honest, seeing the “sweet transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania” with the body of a woman made it kind of hard to appreciate—it was a woman playing a man that dressed like a woman. I would love to be able to say that there were some good parts to this movie, that I could maybe say you could survive watching it and that it may be worth your time. Unfortunately, my love and appreciation for the original cast and movie, the way Fox produced this remake and messed with the essence of the original made me want to say : let’s NOT do the time warp again.

Looking for somewhere to go ghost hunting this Halloween? Then here are a few places I recommend you check out. The Haunted Railroad Tracks located near the San Juan Mission at Shane and Villamain Rd. are a well-known haunted site. Local legend has it that a school bus of about 10 children collided with a train somewhere between the 1930s and 40s. If you put your car in neutral and dust your back bumper with baby powder, the ghosts of the children will supposedly push your car over the tracks and when you check your bumper, you can see their fingerprints. This site has been mentioned in various ghosthunter shows and is one of the most speculated places due to lack of record of the train incident. If you plan on going on Halloween, be cautious of police. Because this site is near the missions, police are on the look out for trespassers.

If you want to spend the night at a haunted hotel, the Menger Hotel at 204 Alamo Plaza is the place to go. Built in 1859, the Menger has a long history of hauntings from rather friendly ghosts. Sally White, a chambermaid at the hotel in 1876, was staying at the hotel to get away from her husband when he attacked her, leaving her so injured that she passed two days later. Sally continues to perform her duties in the Victorian wing at night, carrying a load of clean towels for guests. Captain Richard King, former owner of King Ranch, had his own personal suite at the hotel, and he passed away in his room in 1885. He can be seen walking through the wall, where the door used to be before the remodeling of the King Ranch Room. Both staff members and guests have reported on many occasions the various ghosts they have seen within the hotel; a reported 32 supernatural entities walk the halls of The Menger Hotel. Donkey Lady Bridge is another historically haunted site for San Antonians. Legend has it that a woman who was disfigured by a fire haunts the bridge located off of Applewhite Road on the South Side. Her husband started a fire in their home, killing their two children in the process. When her face had healed from the fire, she looked similar to a long faced donkey and to this day, she can be seen in the eerie for-

Photos by Ethan Pham, The Paisano

est around the bridge. The Black Swan Inn is a gorgeous house that was built in 1867 on top of the grave site of those who died in the Battle of Salado of 1842. This building has been said to house the spirits of those who died in the battle (and honestly, people need to stop building houses over grave sites; talk about rude). The Gunter Hotel located at 205 E. Houston St. has a murder story. In 1965, Walter Emerick murdered a woman in room 636 and soaked the bed with blood. The blonde woman has never been identified, but she still haunts the hotel. Emerick killed himself in the St. Anthony Hotel at 300 E. Travis St. when police came to arrest him. A few honorable ghost mentions include The Chinese Graveyard, located in South San Antonio, where if you turn off your car with the windows down then quickly turn it back on, you will see the spirits of the graveyard; Woman Hollering Creek, located on the far East Side near exit 591 of I-10, where the infamous La Llorona haunts the creek, lures men by her beauty and takes children that walk in the night; and of course, The Alamo with about 850 deaths from the battle, there are multiple ghost stories to go around. Be safe this Halloween and happy ghost hunting, y’all.

ECK Wisdom on Inner Guidance

Free Discussion Series – Includes booklet Weekly Thursday night meetings Sept. 1 to Nov. 17 7:00–8:30 pm , UC 2.01.30 (Magnolia Room) With this booklet, discover how to: ● listen to the Voice of God; ● attune to your true self; ● work with an inner guide; ● benefit from dreams; ● ignite your creativity to solve problems. Info: Mitziani: rbo233@my.utsa.edu Justin: 832-244-6502 www.Eckankar-Texas.org Sponsored by the Eckankar Student Organization