THE PAISANO
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Spirit of the roadrunner
By Laynie Clark News Editor
Anew fall semester means a new Spirit of the Roadrunner duo. The Spirit of the Roadrunner program aims to recognize students who embody the “spirit of UTSA” while striving for the highest levels of academic achievement, campus involvement and community service. They demonstrate the Roadrunner Creed in their daily actions and serve as ambassadors to the university at various UTSA-sponsored events throughout the year.
While the accreditation used to be given to one male and one female — known as Mr. and Mrs. UTSA — the program adjusted to match the values of the students; it is now “Spirit of the Roadrunner,” which has no gender determination.
This year, one of the winners was Alessandro Espinosa, a computer science major whose platform initiative appealed to many students.
“Better Together” focuses on connecting UTSA students with the greater San Antonio community. In collaboration with nonprofits, communitybased startups and local governing bodies, the university would provide a platform for external organizations to discuss their missions, along with opportunities for students to engage in their operations: either by working/volunteering or attending their events,” as described on UTSA’s website.
While originally planning to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin, Espinosa felt a strong sense of home here at UTSA which ultimately led him to running for Spirit of the Roadrunner.
“Initially, I was going to end up going to UT Austin for computer science,” Espinosa said. “I had gotten a full ride there and gotten accepted into their program called the ‘Impact Scholars.’ I thought for the longest time I was going to end up there. But then I started hearing from a recruiter about UTSA and the direction the school was moving in. I was intrigued. After a while, I was like ‘Yeah, this is where I want to end up. This is where I want to be.’”
Outside of UTSA, Espinosa has a strong appreciation for the city of San Antonio, especially because of his home-grown roots.
“I am born and raised here in San Antonio, so this place is home to me and there is really a special kind of air about this place,” Espinosa said. “For me, this really is the biggest small town in America. I feel like this place has such a deep appreciation for its culture and its roots, and it obviously does a really good job of preserving its historical landmarks. This place really cares about where it comes from along with where it’s going, and to be a part of that, and to help promote the university that’s looking to blaze the trail for where this city can go on an academic and professional level, is very, very meaningful to me.” As Spirit of the
Roadrunner, Espinosa is confident that he will be able to serve his community thoughtfully.
“With the accreditation of Spirit of the Roadrunner, I hope to really connect students to the greater San Antonio community, because as we grow, not only as an oncampus community but a general student body population, we’re going to start to get a lot of people not only from San Antonio but from other places in the U.S.,” Espinosa said. “Given the car-centric nature of how the city is designed, along with just the fact that it’s so big, it can be kind of difficult for students to find their place in it all, and find that community not only on campus but in the greater city area. I feel like the way that student involvement handles the promotion of student organizations and the fact that we have so many on campus, there’s a good amount of outlets for students to find their identity here at UTSA, but I feel like there’s maybe not much that the school has explored in regards to doing that for the San Antonio community.”
“So with my platform, called ‘Better Together,’ I aim to make a keynote speaker series where we have people coming in from local nonprofits, local startups with a community orientation and local governing agencies to kind of come in and talk to students about what they have going on for San Antonio, what are they doing in the community and why they feel what they do is important.”
As he begins his journey as Spirit of the Roadrunner, Espinosa remembers to stay true to the heart of the university while aiming to bring a fresh perspective on community involvement.
“I want to make sure I maintain that Roadrunner spirit and focus on making the vibes good here, making sure to be friendly to everyone I meet and making this an inclusive environment. You know, this is Roadrunner Nation and I really feel like I have my friends here, found a family of sorts and that I have enough opportunities to succeed and make a meaningful impact.”
Where to stream the election
By Marisela Cruz Staff Writer
Today marks Election Day across the United States, a tradition rooted in the 19th century. In 1845, Congress established the federal law designating that elections would occur on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November. This year, voters in San Antonio, Texas, are heading to the polls to participate in a pivotal electoral process.
Polling places in Bexar County will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters have access to over 300 voting locations, including schools, libraries, churches, city halls and community centers. UTSA also serves as a convenient voting site for students, faculty and staff. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will still be allowed to cast their vote, ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate.
Election results are expected to be announced later tonight after the polling sites close. ABC News will provide comprehensive coverage
of the presidential election results; it can be viewed on traditional
Bexar County breaks early vote records
By Marisela Cruz Staff Writer
Since Oct. 21, voting statistics in Bexar County have reflected a lowerthan-expected turnout compared to the last presidential election in 2020. With the growth of San Antonio’s population, 40% more people voted on the first day. Although there is an increase reflected, it is not
capturing all the votes. According to Election Administrator Jacquelyn
Callanen, active voters have been dropping off from the enthusiasm day by day. It is expected that Bexar County will end up with a turnout of 57% of registered voters. This shows an underperformance compared to past elections.
This past Friday concluded early voting; it is recorded that 541,000 have cast their vote. This is more of a regular turnout since it was expected more people would vote. Although Bexar County has almost 250,000 more voters than in 2016, San Antonio is underperforming as a city. Overlooking the amount of people who are registered to vote, voting statistics reflect only a slight increase.
Comparing mail-in and in-person ballots from the turnout from this current election to the 2020 election, there has been a 1.8% increase in participants. Callanen emphasizes there is still time to vote until Tuesday, Nov. 5, which is election day. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., voters can still cast their ballot for the 2024 presidential election, statewide elections and county-specific elections.
Stephanie Cortez/ The Paisano
Courtesy of Alessandro Espinosa
ITC designation throws wrench in UTSA’s HemisFair plans
By Matthew Moses Staff Writer
Amidst plans to tear down and relocate the original structure, the Institute for Texan Cultures (ITC) was designated a State Antiquities Landmark on Friday, Oct. 25.
Originally built as the Texas Pavilion to showcase the state’s diverse history and cultures, the 180,000-square-foot building is one of the last surviving constructions from the city’s 1968 World’s Fair. After the fair closed in early October 1968, the University of Texas System received the building and the 96 acres around it. The structure has since housed UTSA’s ITC. However, attendance at the museum has dwindled in recent years, and the building is in need of $74 million in repairs, according to San Antonio Express-News.
In February, the UT Board of Regents granted the City of San Antonio an exclusive option to buy or lease the ITC property. Due to the needed upgrades, UTSA closed the ITC in May, with plans to temporarily relocate its collection into a display inside Frost Bank Tower.
Although the board had not publicly discussed the details of that vote, the agenda for the February meeting said the transaction was for a “potential downtown revitalization project,” named Project Marvel. This decision was followed by the release of emails from the city in August, revealing it would cost an estimated $3-4 billion to transform the southeast part of downtown into a revitalized sports and entertainment district. Improvements include a re-imagined Alamodome, improvements to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, a potential land bridge over I-37 and plans for a new hotel.
However, the structure has now been designated as a significant part of Texas history, complicating those plans. Louis Vetter, president of San Antonio’s Conservation Society, emphasized the building’s cultural importance. “It really does have some historic significance to the Hispanic community and architecture, as
Dustin Vickers/ The Paisano
well as the state of Texas,” he noted.
“We’ve actually received status of the state antiquities landmark designation from the Texas Historic Commission.”
The commission approved the designation Friday in a 7-2 vote, which carries more protections for the building. “They are far more bound to preserve and find alternate uses and preserving the structures involved,” Vetter added.
However, the protections are not absolute.
State Antiquities Landmark designation does not mean that sites or buildings cannot be altered or destroyed, only that the land-owning agency must consult with the Texas Historical Commission about such proposed actions through the permit process, and the Commission will determine whether the work will be allowed.
“UTSA has always acknowledged the historical significance of the Texas Pavilion, which is reflected in our efforts to honor its history with extensive documenting and storytelling in our new museum,” Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications and External Affairs Joe Izbrand said.
Officials at UTSA said they intend to proceed with moving the museum, demolishing the structure and selling the land. “The university continues to look at how to best maximize and monetize the resources of the Hemisfair Campus to support the temporary and future, permanent homes of the ITC. The university will continue its redevelopment plans.”
During the meeting on Friday, members of the Texas Historical Commission maintained the aging building is not going anywhere.
“Everybody likes a fair fight, and I don’t think we’re in one. We stand for Texas history, we don’t stand for the University of Texas or any of its affiliates,” Commissioner David Gravelle said during the meeting. “We don’t fold like tacos. We fight.” For now, the future of the ITC building remains uncertain.
Beyond the Vampire Masquerade Ball
By Zoe Hernandez Staff Writer
On Thursday, Oct. 31, the Secular Student Alliance (SSA) held the Vampire Masquerade Ball for the third year. It was held in the Student Union’s Denman Ballroom. Doors opened at 5:30 p.m., the event began at 6 p.m. and continued until 9 p.m. The SSA paired up with PERIOD — an organization at UTSA that works toward providing insight on menstruation — with the humanitarian purpose of packing menstrual products and distributing them to those in need.
For those who forgot to bring a mask, there was an assortment of masks available for purchase outside the ballroom. Adjacent to the ticket booth, the event had tables set up with things that attendees could purchase. PERIOD had a table set up with tote bags, friendship bracelets and crochet hats for purchase. There was another table with free stickers and safe sex contraception provided by the SSA. The night consisted of music and dancing with a “Blood Bank” drink and snack bar. Several rooms were open to attendees with different events. At the PERIOD packing party, attendees assembled care packages of feminine care products. The Neurodivergent Society hosted $1 bingo. There was a room dedicated to vampire movie night with concessions, and another room had free coloring and crafts.
The Vampire Masquerade Ball hosted a costume contest with several categories. The categories consisted of Best Costume Overall,
Most Elaborate Vampire, Best Creature, Most Convincing Cosplay, Most Original Costume and Most Cursed Costume. Winners of each category won a skeleton trophy and a gift bag.
The SSA was founded in the fall of 2013 but has existed with similar goals under different names since 2005. The organization aims to provide representation for non-religious students at UTSA; it is open to anyone regardless of faith. The SSA supports political activism and the right to bodily autonomy. Other values that the organization upholds are freedom of the press and separation of church and state. They are also strong advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and their right to exist without discrimination. The SSA hosts a variety of activities for members to get involved. Interested members will have the opportunity to promote secular, ethical values. Through fundraisers and donation drives, PERIOD strives to make menstrual hygiene more accessible and celebrated. Some events that the organization has held in the past were various packing parties where care packages of menstrual products were assembled and distributed. The organization has also hosted various events with educational information on menstruation.
The night of the ball where eerie met elegance was a fundraiser event open to individuals participating in the organizations and nonparticipants. The purpose of the Vampire Masquerade Ball was to have fun while making a difference and supporting the topics of menstruation and neurodivergence.
Suzanne Clark is still missing
By Alejandra Garza Distribution Manager
Suzanne Clark Simpson went missing on Sunday, Oct. 6.
Investigators were informed by a neighbor that Suzanne and her husband Brad Simpson were arguing that evening. He also told investigators he saw Brad physically assault Suzanne, grabbing her by the upper torso trying to restrain her. The next day, Suzanne was reported missing by her husband to Olmos Park Police; concerns were raised as a result of their daughter not being picked up from school.
On Oct. 14, a search for Suzanne was prompted at a landfill on the Eastside of Bexar County.
“We feel confident there is a good chance of recovering Suzanne at that location,” said Olmos Park police after evidence led them there.
With multiple large extractors pulling debris for police to sift through, the investigation into the landfill was unsuccessful; no trace of Suzanne was found.
On Oct. 21, Brad’s business partner was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony for tampering with evidence after concealing an AK-47 for him. The following day, two additional charges were put against Simpson which are linked to the conversations with Cotter about the hiding of the weapon.
Brad is still uncooperative with the investigation, and there is still a continued search for Suzanne.
On Oct. 8, Brad asked James V. Cotter, a business partner of his, to help hide a weapon. Text messages revealed the two were planning to meet in Bandera, Texas, but it was later revealed that Cotter retrieved a weapon from the Simpsons’ home before detectives searched it. Brad was arrested on Oct. 9 in Kendall County after a search was conducted on his home. Although he has not been identified as a suspect, there was enough evidence to charge him with a misdemeanor of assault, bodily injury and unlawful restraint based on the witness testimony on Oct. 6.
State of the City
Week of 11/05
By Trinity Hewty Contributor
Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay up-to-date on the happenings around town? Look no further. Highlighting notable stories from external San Antonio news sources, State of the City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topics range from the arrest of a New Braunfels man who planned out multiple mass shootings to the VIA Metropolitan Transit offering voters free rides for the Nov. 5 election.
New Braunfels man arrested for threatening to shoot up a Buc-ee’s and two Canyon Lake high schools
The FBI prevented plans for multiple mass shootings after receiving anonymous tips about a New Braunfels man making threats towards a San Antonio Buc-ee’s and two Canyon Lake high schools. The perpetrator, Cameron Darrick Peterson, 20, was in court this past Thursday and has already been charged with one count of attempting to purchase a firearm to commit a felony. Peterson accepted a plea deal before this court ruling that reduced the potential sentencing of 20 years in prison to 10 years.
Federal authorities obtained various pieces of evidence that implicated Peterson before his arrest, including threats to shoot up a gas station on Instagram, being denied the purchase of a gun from a Comal pawn shop because of the type of gun he was trying to procure and his age. Authorities were able to arrest Peterson on June 5 after placing him on a NIBC database from the first incriminations which helped alert the FBI when he attempted to purchase the same weapon again. This led to a search of Peterson’s house which found an improvised explosive device, a modified .22-caliber long rifle with a sawed-off buttstock and six magazines loaded with 60 rounds. The investigation is still ongoing by both federal and state authorities.
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San Antonio Thanksgiving dinner receives $35,000 donation
By Dustin Vickers Managing Editor
As the 45th annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner approaches, San Antonians prepare for one of the largest Thanksgiving Dinners in the country. The tradition began in 1979 by Raul Jimenez, a businessman and restaurant owner in the city. The annual dinner is geared to help the elderly and the less fortunate and serving up to 25,000 people annually.
On Oct. 29, the event organizers received a $35,000 donation from Walmart, which will go towards the turkey, stuffing, green beans and other foods on the spread. The event is entirely volunteer-ran, so no one who works the event will
be paid. All of the proceeds of the donation will go solely to the organization. To get involved, go to rauljimenezdinner.com/volunteer to register as a volunteer where shifts and job types will be available for sign-up. Preparation for the event begins the Sunday before Thanksgiving and continues until Thanksgiving Day. To help the event run smoothly, 4,000 volunteers are needed; signup is available until capacity is reached. The event will be located at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 900E. Market St. and will occur on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28.
Dustin Vickers/ The Paisano
This november, let women live
Texas abortion ban prevents teenager from getting medical care during miscarriage
Naveah Crain, an 18-year-old expecting mother, died on Oct. 29, 2023, after developing sepsis during a miscarriage. Her mother, Candace Fails, spoke with reporters from The Texas Tribune and ProPublica this month to share her daughter’s experience. Both Fails and her daughter believed abortion to be morally wrong and against their Christian faith, which is why they decided that Crain should keep the baby after getting pregnant. Six months into the pregnancy, on the day she was meant to host her baby shower, Crain woke up feverish and in pain. She went to the emergency room three times before finally being admitted into intensive care, where she passed some hours later.
pregnancy. For this reason, they avoid treating pregnant women who are having any kind of complications. Pregnancy is painful enough without having to wonder whether one can trust their doctors to help. Texas’ abortion ban is a suffocating measure that complicates the application of medical treatment, prevents doctors from doing their jobs and kills innocent women.
Her mother told The Texas Tribune and ProPublica that she did not understand why doctors did not treat the situation with the urgency it deserved. The first physician diagnosed her with strep throat and ignored her abdominal pain, and the second did an ultrasound and sent her home after confirming there was a fetal heartbeat, despite diagnosing her with sepsis. The third only sent her to intensive care after conducting two ultrasounds to confirm fetal demise before taking action, which was, by then, too late to save her life.
Is AI responsible for teen suicide?
Crain spent 20 hours in pain, begging for medical attention, being passed around by physicians who were all too scared to provide her with care. Why? They were scared off by the state’s harsh abortion ban. As the law stands, medical practitioners can be prosecuted for any suspected involvement in the termination of a
Rowdy Thoughts
Fails was excited to welcome her granddaughter into the world, but instead she had to say goodbye to her daughter after witnessing her cries for help be ignored. This is the sort of horrible experience that the abortion ban foments. When casting their votes on Nov. 5, Texas voters must keep the story of Crain in mind, and think of all the women and doctors made helpless under the state’s draconian anti-abortion stance. The right to an abortion is one of the most hot-button issues this election cycle — and for good reason. Women should have the autonomy to make this incredibly difficult personal decision about their health; doctors should have the freedom to provide lifesaving care to their patients without fear.
data gathered by Paisano Social Media Team
Is Trump’s plan for mass deportation helpful?
The not-so-small costs of fast fashion
Commentary
By Khoi Nguyen Staff Writer Editorial
When observing discussions around fast fashion, fashion giants SHEIN and Temu are commonly identified as lead culprits behind overconsumption. Looking through their sites, one feels as though they are in on some secret. Among a collage of percentages, poppy colors and pop-up discounts that render like video game bonuses, the price of goods stands out the most. Dresses are listed at singledigit prices. Socks and watches are listed for as little as cents. Jackets promising candid street photos with the Getty Images watermark slapped over them can be bought for a Hamilton. For those remotely aware of the current economy, a headline runs across the brain: this is too good to be true. For the most part, it is.
In the years since SHEIN and Temu’s inceptions, several investigations have been conducted into their business practices, oftentimes yielding, in generous terms, concerning results.
In June 2023, a U.S. House committee accused the websites’ practices of being likely “contaminated with forced labor.” The accusations stem from the use of Xinjiang cotton, which was revealed to be produced through forced labor and found in goods from both SHEIN and Temu. SHEIN’s and Temu’s supply chains come at the expense of the Uyghur and Muslim population in China, over a million of whom have been imprisoned in “reeducation camps” by the Chinese government, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
As SHEIN and Temu hauls populate online spaces, consumers have been doing their own investigating, this time on the quality of the websites’ goods. Results have been mixed.
Does hollyw0od make too many biopics?
“In my experience, the clothing quality at Shein is as inconsistent as the sizing,” wrote Amanda Oliver on USA TODAY Reviewed. “I’d recommend shopping Shein for flash-in-the-pan microtrends that are in one week and out the next.”
“The prices are definitely affordable, but many items were not up to the service quality or expectations,” Kara Harms, founder of Whimsy Soul — a lifestyle blog — wrote about Temu after spending $170 on the app.
Perspectives like those of Oliver and Harms highlight the double-edged sword of fast fashion platforms. Clothes are reduced purely to self-expression, waiting to be disposed of as trends ebb and flow. Landfills pile up. The ethics of abnormally low prices are pushed further to the back of the mind as the joy of buying sets in.
Beyond their appeal, SHEIN’s and Temu’s low prices offer cheap and accessible routes into fashion, yet consumers should question this accessibility when the short lifespan of goods and relentless advertising push further spending. This does not even take into account the reprehensible ethical implications of these platforms’ practices. One-dollar skirts and sunglasses may appear cheap, but the livelihoods of enslaved laborers are not. Consumers may appear innocent, but the money that funds and ultimately perpetuates unethical practices is not.
The port of riches, not garbage!
By Marisela Cruz Staff Writer
should unpaid internships exist?
Was Trump’s Mcdonald’s visit meaningful?
Kamala’s ad sparks red rage
Commentary By Luna Infante Interim Marketing Manager
Last week, Vote Common Good released a political advertisement on YouTube. The ad centered around ballot privacy, specifically regarding women, has faced heavy backlash since its release. The ad portrayed women casting their vote at a poll location, sharing a smile as they filled in the circle for Kamala Harris.
The video begins with a woman walking into a voting location with her husband. After looking around nervously, she makes eye contact with another woman while the narrator states the setting with the double entendre, “the one place in America where women still have a right to choose.” The women smile and mark Harris as their choice. Julia Roberts, the narrator says “no one will ever know,” and the husband returns to the screen to ask if she made the right choice. “Sure did honey,” she says with a smile. The narrator closes out, “What happens in the booth, stays in the booth.”
The ad is half a minute long, but those 30 seconds set off a series of fiery reactions from conservative figures.
Republican men, including Donald Trump, have taken this ad as a personal attack. “I’m so disappointed [in] Julia Roberts. She’s going to look back on that and she’s going to cringe,” states Trump. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shared on The Megyn Kelly Show, “[Kamala] needs people to basically lie to their husbands, which they are promoting, by the way. It is the embodiment of the downfall of the American family. I think it’s so gross.” The same video showed Jesse Watters on Fox News, raving about the ad. “If I found out [my wife] was going into the voting booth and pulling a lever for Harris, that’s the same thing as having an affair,” Watters said. “What else is she keeping from me?”
Their reactions are extreme, comparing different political preferences to infidelity and family downfalls and taking personal offense to what the fictional woman is doing in the video. However, they raise the question about the morality of the ad. Is it okay to promote such actions?
While the ad seemingly appears to be pro-women, as it alludes to the reproductive rights Kamala promotes in
her campaign, the message supports the notion that women hiding their choices from their conservative husbands is necessary.
Why should anyone have to hide their decision from their significant other? This ad promotes an unhealthy dynamic, and while it is extreme to say that Kamala needs people to lie to their husbands, this video reinforces the idea that they should. The problem does not lie in how the woman hid her choice but in the context behind why she did. Women should have a right to vote for whoever they want, and keep that private. However, this ad encourages ballot privacy as secrecy, which may seem necessary to some people, like those with controlling families or pressuring spouses. Regardless, this narrative should not be included in political campaigning. Voting privacy must remain protected and respected, but if one has to go as far as to hide it from their loved ones, there is a deeper issue. Unfortunately, voting does have the potential to cause issues in relationships, and it has become a trend to “cancel out” a partner or family member’s vote. An article published in The Guardian describes a TikTok, “a woman dances to Ciara’s Level Up before driving off to ‘cancel out’ her ‘Trump loving Husband’s vote in a swing state.’” The article then states, “The dozens of women participating are, for the most part, Democrats supporting Kamala Harris’s bid, while their male partners are voting for Donald Trump.” A pro-Kamala voter said to The Cut, “I’ll try every day until November 5 to change his mind, but I also know that he’s a stubborn man. The best I can do is cancel out his vote.”
This ad demonstrates the toxic political environment the U.S. is no stranger to. Political beliefs should not spark family division, or general hatred, aggression and violence, as they have always done. This ad not only strengthens political polarities but also mishandles addressing the harmful nature of many relationships. If a woman has to hide her choice from her husband, or feel that she needs to “cancel out” his vote, she should not be with him in the first place, and vice versa. Kamala should not be using unhealthy relationship dynamics to promote her campaign, even if there is truth to the unfortunate narrative.
Stephanie Cortes /The Paisano
Kara Lee/The Paisano
By Alejandra Garza Distribution Manager
As the richest man in the world, and now the person who is on presidential candidate Donald Trump’s leash, Elon Musk is providing an exponentially large amount of money to Trump’s campaign. This money is being used unethically to manipulate some of the key swing states in the election. How is Musk doing this?
He is persuading individuals to sign a petition only offered in swing states. To qualify, people must be registered to vote and believe in the Constitution. Those who sign it are eligible to win $1 million. The catch is that Musk is Trump’s #1 advocate, and his PAC is Pro-Trump.
Musk’s controversial voter scheme has led to a civil lawsuit against him. The lawsuit is to block him from continuing to award money to voters. He was set to appear in court, but cowardly no-showed.
Another way Musk is using his power to influence how this election turns out is by using the platform “X.” He has dedicated his whole page to falsely depicting Kamala Harris as the villain in the election by posting AI-generated photos and demonizing the Democratic Party. Musk also attended one of Trump’s campaign rallies, where he appeared in an ominous way dressed in all black wearing the overused slogan “Make America Great Again.” The term “Dark MAGA” has been apparent and associated with Musk on several occasions. The meaning behind the saying is a post-alt-right aesthetic that promotes an authoritarian version of Trump. He was then photographed jumping for joy after being announced for his accomplishments. Narcissism at its finest. The behavior Musk is exhibiting towards Trump’s campaign and Trump himself is concerning.
Zoe Hernandez/The Paisano
OpiNION
Texas universities helpless against state politics
Commentary By Matthew Moses Staff Writer
As election season ramps up, a new poll reveals potential college students have begun ruling out universities during the application process because of the state they are located in.
The Art & Science Group released results from a survey conducted this summer that showed 28% of students had ruled out certain colleges because of the politics and policies of the university’s state. This trend holds true for both sides, with 75% of those who identify as liberal reporting they would exclude schools they feel are “too conservative” on issues such as abortion or LGBTQ rights. Likewise, among those identifying as conservative, 66% had crossed off colleges in states they labeled as “too liberal” on LGBTQ issues or lenient on crime.
The poll arrived at a time rife with politics. Debates over abortion in postRoe America and inflammatory social policies like bans on transgender students’ participation in sports teams have transfixed many state legislatures. In 2024, universities are more helpless than ever as they are “increasingly trapped with the politics of the state where they reside.”
The most excluded state was Texas, with 31% of respondents listing the state as a dealbreaker for them. Other states frequently ruled out by 15% or more potential college students were Alabama, California, Florida and New York.
Additionally, professors and experts believe that the Texas’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ban at the start of the year will lead to more high school seniors —
especially those who are women or people of color — opting to attend universities in other states. One of the biggest factors in determining where students decide to pursue their education is a community where students feel comfortable, safe and accepted, but Texas is failing to meet any of these marks.
According to the poll, most of the respondents agree that colleges and universities should support free speech, student activism and protests. Many students feel that the politics of the state bleed over into the politics of the school; however, this mindset results in further political division.
“This seems to be symptomatic of how polarized the country has become on many things, and one can understand why people make these decisions. But it’s kind of a shame that we’ve got ourselves into this situation,” said Dick Startz, professor of economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
However, the schools do not have much recourse besides tailoring their pitch to convince potential students they are not defined by their state. “I think some institutions are likely trying to emphasize that despite what may be happening in the state, there are different realities in their particular area and that there is a greater diversity of students and viewpoints that you can find there that creates somewhat of an island within the greater political context of the state,” said Kevin McClure, associate professor of higher education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
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The Paisano
Editorial Board
Jake Mireles | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com
Dustin Vickers | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com
Laynie Clark | News Editor News@paisano-online.com
Marcela Montufar Soria | Opinion Editor Opinion@paisano-online.com
Malaki Lingg | Arts & Life Editor Arts@paisano-online.com
Haley Aguayo | Sports Editor Sports@paisano-online.com
Raul Martinez | Web Editor Web@paisano-online.com
Armin Suljovic | Photo Editor Photo@paisano-online.com
Kara Lee | Graphic Editor Graphic@paisano-online.com
Samantha Ysaguirre | Multimedia Editor Multimedia@paisano-online.com
By Tyler Hirata Contributor
Professional sports are essential to San Antonio’s culture. They are a pastime that many families enjoy, ultimately connecting many people. However, there has been a shift in what is acceptable for athletes to express politically. To the dismay of many fans, politics is becoming quickly and readily discussed in the sports industry. Whether it is the Colin Kaepernick protest or Nick Bosa promoting presidential candidate Donald Trump there is a societal leniency that allows athletes to express their political beliefs on the field to thousands of viewers. Some of whom are children who lack the proper understanding of what political expression even means.
Athletes expressing their political affiliations live on television is dangerous as it creates an environment that does not rely on educating the populace and instead provides people an easy and misinformed way to start supporting politics that their favorite player or role model supports. It exposes the youth to politics in the wrong way through a role model whose job is just to play sports for an organization.
For example, on week nine of the 2024 NFL season, Nick Bosa interrupted an NBC interview and pointed to a MAGA hat before quickly leaving the screen. The problem does not stem from Bosa having political opinions and expressing his First Amendment rights, but in his disregard for his position as an employee of the NFL. Bosa promoted something that was not sanctioned or allowed by the NFL per their bylaws.
Suppose an athlete wishes to express themselves politically. In that case, they should keep it on platforms that encourage that type of speech, excluding the official media created by their employer, which actively avoids becoming political. It is up to the parents to monitor their children and ensure they are consuming acceptable content.
By Mogbekeleoluwa Shebioba Staff Writer
In the 1980s, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena had been investigating marijuana and cocaine drug traffickers for four years and became close to exposing the top leaders of a multi-billion dollar drug empire. On Feb. 7, 1985, he was kidnapped by five men and never seen by his family again. He was tortured and brutally murdered by drug traffickers; his badly beaten body was recovered almost a month after.
In honor of Camarena’s life, Red Ribbon Week started in 1985 in his hometown of Calexico, California. Communities would wear red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raising awareness of how drugs affect people, whether directly or indirectly.
will keep children away from them. This ideology lacks nuance and is often mocked by the general public. People can easily be pressured by their peers, and saying no gets even harder when a person is already addicted to a substance. It simply is not that easy.
Red Ribbon Week soon gained momentum across California and the rest of the country. In 1988, the National Family Partnership sponsored the first national Red Ribbon celebration.
Red Ribbon Week is important to remember how dangerous drugs can be, even if it is not the drugs themselves that are doing the killing. The story of Camarena is important, and kids in school should be aware of the lurking dangers in the real world.
While Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drugs, the celebration emphasizes that simply saying no to drugs
Even with anti-drug campaigns like Red Ribbon Week and Drug Abuse Resistance Education, teens are overdosing now more than ever, likely because of the increasing availability of stronger substances.
Ribbon Week has its flaws, but it is necessary to remember Camarena, who lost his life because of the presence of drugs in his life. The celebration should not be completely eradicated, even if its methods are not necessarily effective in keeping kids away from that lifestyle. It makes it easier for parents to discuss drugs with kids, but there needs to be a different approach taken towards the war on drugs.
So how should drug awareness be handled? Well, a key aspect of modern prevention and treatment programs is empowering youth to make their own decisions around substance use in a developmentally appropriate way. Adolescents are exploring how they relate to drugs, learning how to weigh the consequences of their actions and preparing for adulthood, which involves making choices about their future. The Seven Challenges program uses supportive journaling exercises and counseling to help young people practice informed decisionmaking around substance use.
arts & life
Vintage treasures await at Ironside Antiques Mall
As a surge of vintage and antique love washes over
Gen Z, why not go to the place that has it all? From jewelry and clothing to accessories of all kinds — including real fur cuffs, collars and hats, antique furniture, decorations and so much more — Ironside Antiques Mall is perfect for collectors, antique fanatics and, of course, casual shoppers.
Ironside Antiques Mall is home to over 50 vendors, selling a wide variety of interesting items, trinkets and knickknacks. A thorough walkthrough could take hours but to explore the entire building, leaving no stone unturned, a full day may be necessary.
Immediately upon entering, one is met with bright and sparkling lights emitting from the many chandeliers and an aroma of pine along with other nostalgic scents coat the building, making it feel homey and cozy. The vendors are kind and welcoming, some willing to negotiate prices while others are stern and stubborn. There are many selections and vendors to choose from. Some offer old Gameboy cartridges and collectible figurines, while others offer truly antique artwork and furniture.
A wide variety of CDs and vinyls can be found scattered throughout the shop — enticing all music lovers. Speaking of music, portraits of stars, like Jimmy Hendrix and Bon Jovi, line the walls, and are available to purchase. For more extreme music connoisseurs, stationed
Get a Greep!
By Sarah Quintanilla Staff Writer Reviews
near the back of the building, one vendor boasts a true gem: two jukeboxes in impeccable condition and different styles. One is classic and recognizable, while the other is a unique CD-flipping jukebox with a see-through screen.
Fashion fanatics also have something to look forward to as this building is covered head to toe in clothing and accessories. A quick glance into almost any vendor and one will easily find something they like: beautiful authentic gold and silver jewelry; lockets with designs found nowhere else; vintage nightgowns, coats, scarves and much more are sure to make anyone fall in love.
Countless hours could be spent going through just one or two vendors due to their large collections of jewelry. If the vendor is not present, they will normally have their contact information on display — so reach out and reserve the piece before someone else does.
Ironside Antiques Mall is truly a gem and offers something for just about everyone. Even for nonshoppers, a survey of all the unique and odd items displayed is sure to at least pique their interest.
Ironside Antiques Mall is located at 10211 Ironside Dr. and is open every day — except Tuesdays — from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Make sure to bring cash as some vendors do not accept cards and, of course, enjoy all they have to offer.
For a debut album, Geordie Greep does more than a mind-blowing job. Describing what Black Midi’s exvocalist did in “The New Sound” is a hard task. It is a fresh take on experimental rock, jazz fusion, samba and every other music genre that Greep jumbles together in this fast and intense release that leaves the listener stunned.
The album starts strong with “Blues.” Fast repeating drums from Morgan Simpson and the out-of-tune vocals make a psychotic entrance, resembling a circus ringmaster losing his mind. The whirring and the overlapping crowd of instrumentals create an intense feeling throughout the whole thing as if one is running looking for cover. As the intensity increases even more, the drums, trumpets and every other instrument loudly come to a halt. That is the way to start an album.
“Terra” is the next song on the record. The shackling of cymbals and complex guitars reminds the listener of a bossa nova. Greep’s vocals do not stress the listener despite him sounding stressed. The instrumentals are melodic, with a strong Steely Dan influence of jazz fusion. A slight cowbell makes a quick appearance, trumpets increase the intensity and then a choir is singing “Terra!” in unison. It is an incredibly danceable song. Howling, Latin-sounding trumpets and a melodic piano end the song with the lead single “Holy, Holy.”
What a cathartic song. Strong repetitive drums start, with equally fast repetitive backing guitars showing off Greep’s style. It is understandable why it is a hit; the guitar squeaks through the speakers; fast strumming comes from the lead guitar; and the piano follows the theatrical vocals. Choir sings “Holy, Holy!” With a strong Latin influence, the overlapping of instrumentals and repetitive guitars, the intense and danceable song fades away into the title song “The New Sound.”
A relaxing yet fast bossa nova is heard again. Bongos,
guitars, piano. Jazz instrumentals are all over the song in a fast and entrancing tune. Makes the listener run laps through their mind. “Walk Up,” originally meant to be a Black Midi song, starts with a slight riff. Greep’s vocals have no verses and no rhymes; it is just him singing stories of people that he met at bars. Here the sounds of a choir, the overlapping of the fast drums, cymbals dinging, a synth, a piano, whooshing and the vocals are drowned by the overwhelming feeling it evokes. Then a country song is inside the same tune, ending with an audience speaking.
Trumpets start “Through a War.” This song, once again has Latin guitars, a cymbal beat and a piano paired with echoes. Everything is going on; Greep has an
evident style of increasing the intensity of his songs. To grasp everything that is going on is hard, not because it is bad, but because there are so many things happening at once as thirty musicians played on the record. This is exactly how ADHD sounds if it had musical arrangements. “Bongo Season” starts with bongos and a melodic tingling that rapidly transitions into the same fast jazz drumming. The guitar comes by yet it is strenuous to catch up to describe it; it goes incredibly fast. Vocals start in Greep’s unconventional way, and
trumpets fade away the song.
The low and slow voice of producer Seth Evans throws off the listener in “Motorbike,” as one is now used to the vocals of Greep. Slow guitar starts, scaring the listener of what it will become, as it is Greep’s album. But there it is, the entirety of the overlapped drums and Evan’s voice are catching on the style of storytelling with a tune. It quiets down and thunderous drumming and excessive cymbal crashing increase the intensity once again, ending with a wailing in the background. The song ends with repetitive instrumentals as if it were a fan spinning.
“As if Waltz” has a steady beat and guitar. Greep’s vocals enter the song as the piano comes along as well. One is out of breath to even describe what is going on. Radio intermission sounds, violins, cymbals crashing and lyrics that have to be read after soaking in the tune. Instruments make appearances but do not stay. The song slows down by a lot, quieting down with soft guitars, but avant-prog enters with a squeaky guitar solo.
“The Magician” is a twelve-minute song that commences with what sounds like shakers; the guitar has a relaxed strumming and slow drums. It was meant to be a Black Midi song, but never got on a record. The listener braces themselves for impact, yet it is somewhat slow. One has to be patient as it slowly intensifies, but never fully. The piano chords play as Greep talks slowly to the microphone. It is a very long song, yet it is good for concentrating on another task.
A nostalgic fairytale ending is heard in “If You Are But a Dream.” The piano and trumpets calm down the listener from the intensity of the album with the cover of this 1940s romantic ballad. The vocals were never good but that did not matter. The piano was as dreamy as the title as if one was soothed by a nightmare that turned into a dream, ending the album in a way that listeners are perplexed and processing what just happened an hour and two minutes ago.
What an album; what an experience. It is not for listeners that enjoy simple songs. It is a complex amalgamation of instrumentals and vocals that sound like voices inside one’s head. The fusion of genres happening all at once skillfully creates what Geordie Greep fittingly names “The New Sound.”
By Cora White Contributor
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SA Gems
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Arts & Life
Down in the Juban District
By Noah Hernandez Staff Writer
An LED sign with the words “Thank You Ginger Root” and “Retro Pop Princess” stood on an expectant stage, while the crowds waited in casual anticipation. The Aztec Gods of the beautiful Aztec Theatre looked down, listening to “Zhi Qui San Bi Qu” and “Amayo No Seppun,” J-pop setting the tone for the rest of the evening. On the right and left flanks lay vintage TVs, large strips of yellow fluorescent light bulbs, while in the center an ironing board held a MacBook.
As the audience filled the pit and balcony, the opener, Amaiwana, came from the wings resplendent. In an almost Red riding Hood cloak and a flared silvery sequined dress, finishing the look with a light red bob and blue sunglasses. Opening with “I’m Crazy” from her sophomore album, the room had a feel much closer to the Harajuku district of Japan than downtown San Antonio.
Running through a set complete with telephone vocals, a light-up toy sword and ridiculously voracious synth playing, the opener had successfully primed the room for the main act. Amaiwana had one more trick up her sleeve, as Cameron Lew, better known as Ginger Root, came from stage right with a bass in hand — joining the fun. Whoops and hollers echoed through the venue, with an “I LOVE YOU” being shouted from the balcony. Eventually heading backstage, Lew put down his bass while Amaiwana rounded out her set with two more songs, thanking the crowd for making her first time in the United States so special.
After a short intermission, Lew returned. This time with his old high school friends joining the fray: Matt Carney on drums and Dylan Davis on guitar. Ginger Root had finally taken the stage.
Self-described as “Aggressive Elevator Soul,” the Huntington Beach-based project began producing music in 2017. His debut album, “Spotlight People,” was only the beginning, as the Los Angeles native has since produced an impressively wide discography and equally impressive range of music videos, eventually landing his first hits with the songs “Juban District” and “Lorreta.” Since then, he has continued creating his signature funky bedroom pop fusion and producing odd yet interesting media, which culminated in his most recent album and name of the tour, SHINGBANGUMI.
It was with his latest album that he began, as lights dimmed once more revealing a
video of “Juban TV’s” CEO providing a warm welcome with the line “Hello Peasants.” Informing the audience that Ginger Root Productions had been taken over, he began to drone until the band took the stage and opened with its newest hit, “Better Than Monday.” With such an odd start, it was clear that the group had a rather special night planned, more akin to a full-scale production than a measly concert.
Running through the first song with both precision and improvisation, the room transformed into an ‘80s Japanese TV set, one of the group's favorite gimmicks. Fuzzy depictions of Lew and the group appeared on the giant screen behind them and on the tiny televisions littering the stage, creating a technicolor fever dream complete with a double bass solo.
Breezing past the seamlessly blended “All Night” and “Out of State” psychedelic combo, Ginger Root moved on to ‘Karaoke,” leaving his synth set up and breaking out into a metal pipe solo. During all of this he wore a bowl on his head and a 70’s ruffled pink button-up to complete the fit. With each moment between songs, he greeted San Antonio with different city names, much to the joking chagrin of the concertgoers, first playfully mistaking SA for New York and then for Toronto. As the laughter subsided, the projector screen began playing his video “Overdrive Academy,” leading into the SHINGBANGUMI song, “There Was a Time.”
Once again misnaming the city, this time using Fresno
Noah Schwencke/The Paisano Reviews
heights as he got ready to play the ever-popular and irresistibly danceable “Juban District.” Finally getting it right and yelling “Hello San Antonio,” the crowd went wild, with deafening applause thundering throughout the Aztec, unmatched until “Juban District” began with its signature dreamy electronic percussion. Through the haze and awash in purple and green, the audience danced along and sang their hearts out while the heavy bass shook the ground beneath their feet. The band had finally reached their peak, but rather than descend, they stayed on this musical mountaintop until the very end. “Over the Hill” and “Loneliness” were no exception, with the “Loneliness Intro Video” providing a framework that built up to the opener Amaiwana entering from stage left to sing along to the Ginger root staple. Clad in the same yellow dress seen in the video, the move bridged the gap between the music video and the live performance, showing a level of thoughtful craftsmanship and storytelling that elevated the whole experience. This level is only heightened when the band pauses to play their “Anime Video” while performing “Everything’s Alright,” creating an almost surreal sound that can only be described as an epic symphonic anime soundtrack.
After taking a short water break, Ginger Root moved on to their new and endlessly relatable song, “No Problems,” eventually moving on to “Only You” which had some fun audience involvement and had Lew singing in an obscenely high falsetto. “Giddy up” followed this, but in a surprise twist, the band broke out into a rendition of the Beatles’ “Day Tripper” and “Helter Skelter,” showing that the instrumental sensation can scream just as well as he can sing.
Indie fall or bratumn?
Reviews
By Christopher Delgado Staff Writer
The audience's joy had reached a frenzy at this point, with the crowd sounding like a stadium, yet there was still room for more as Ginger Root began playing the long-awaited “Loretta,” marking the true highlight of the night. Rounding out the set with “Show 10,” the group bid the crowd adieu and left. Immediately shouts for one more went up, and the band relented — providing an encore and finishing the night with an MJ room medley and “Weather.” Exhausted but happy, the audience slowly emptied out of the room, a sea of grins spilling out into Travis Street. Each of them assured that Ginger Root had put on a truly stellar performance that was both faithful to their records and still uniquely intimate, creating an unforgettable night down in the Juban District.
‘The Last Dance,’ hopefully Reviews
By Valentina Quintanilla Staff Writer
The empty auditorium could have been a sign of how exhaustive “Venom: The Last Dance” was going to be. One of Marvel’s favorite anti-heroes returns for the last part of the “Venom” trilogy, starring Tom Hardy as both journalist Eddie Brock and alien symbiote Venom. Although audiences were not expecting a lot from this film, it is still a massive letdown for the fans.
The film starts off with Brock and Venom at a bar in Mexico. Brock is running away from the disastrous events that resulted from his battle with “Carnage,” a bloodthirsty red symbiote from the prequel “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.” The battle left Brock as the main suspect of the murder of former police officer Patrick Mulligan, who is actually alive and possesses a symbiote named “Toxin.”
The film failed to convey all the various backstories into one cohesive plot, along with the addition of new storylines into the already complex narrative, creating a confusing and heavy mess of a film. Moreover, the CGI shown in the film is no different than the film’s plot: a catastrophe.
A sequence halfway through the movie showing Venom and Mrs. Chen, owner of the convenience store in Chinatown, dancing to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” makes it more evident that the CGI in the film is
not only a product of indolent work but also the result of a cash grab production. The scene is long-lasting and tiresome, giving the only three people in the theater enough time for a bathroom break.
The seemingly emotional ending of the trilogy is overshadowed by the dreadful acting and squirmish dialogue, excluding Hardy’s performance which is perhaps the only reason the film is somewhat watchable.
With absurd plot holes, messy visual effects, corny song choices and awful dialogue delivery, “Venom: The Last Dance” is simply a way to hastily end the “Venom” storyline, leaving the audience with a feeling that this film is just a mere waste of their time.
Kara Lee/ThePaisano
UTSA baseball dominant in win against Navarro College
By Michael Rios Staff Writer
UTSA baseball notched 26 strikeouts en route to defeating Navarro College 21-2 on Friday at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners dominated on both offense and defense, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back. With contributions from key veterans and flashy newcomers, the ‘Runners cruised to a win in their first exhibition of the fall season.
Navarro College got the upper hand in the top of the first inning as infielder Ryan Alexander hit a deep sacrifice fly off of sophomore pitcher Zach Royse to bring in the runner from third base to take a 1-0 lead.
The Roadrunners responded in the bottom of the first with a steal from home by infielder Jordan Ballin to tie the game. Sophomore outfielder Tye Odom extended the lead by hitting a two-run single to center field.
The ‘Runners were not finished there; junior catcher Lorenzo Morresi hit an RBI double of his own with the bases loaded to leave the inning with a 5-1 lead.
After giving up the lone run in the top of the first inning, Royse was able to settle in and provide the Roadrunners with two scoreless innings before passing the baton to junior pitcher Braylon Owens in the top of the fourth inning.
The Bulldogs were unable to take advantage of the pitching change as infielder McCann Libby went down on strikes and left his teammate stranded on second base.
As the game went on, the Roadrunners’ infield defense continued to be fundamentally sound as they rarely let ground balls get past them. Ballin and utility Diego Diaz shined as they played great second base and shortstop defense. Catchers Morresi and Andrew Stucky also played good defense, throwing out any Bulldogs who tried to steal second base.
The ‘Runners gave their pitchers more run support, tagging opposing pitcher Drake Dowd for two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, making it a 7-1 ballgame.
After Owens struck out the side in the top of the fifth inning, the UTSA offense added two more runs to its total in the bottom of the fifth.
An RBI triple from junior utility James Taussig and an RBI single to left field by Odom made it a 9-1 lead for the Roadrunners.
After three scoreless innings from both schools, the ‘Runners’ offense scored another run thanks to a sacrifice fly by junior outfielder Mason Lytle which brought Diaz across home plate.
Navarro College could not score, as the Roadrunners’ pitching team either struck out the side or got help from the defense to get out of each inning.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Diaz hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field to extend the ‘Runners lead. Afterward, junior catcher Andrew Stucky showed off his strength by hitting a two-run home run to center field.
In the top of the tenth inning, the Bulldogs were once unable to get their offense going as freshman outfielder Christian Hallmark got on base with a walk, but got caught stealing second base by Stucky to end the inning.
The ‘Runners kept their foot on the gas in the bottom of the 10th inning as Cade Sadler hit a three-run single. Afterward, in the bottom of the 11th inning, Andrew Detlefsen hit a tworun single.
The Bulldogs were completely stunned by UTSA’s pitching staff as the Roadrunners struck out 26 total batters in the 14 innings they played.
UTSA baseball will play Alvin Community College at 3 p.m. Friday at Roadrunner Field.
A look into the Paisano through the
By Logan Martinez Staff Writer
Dodgers and Yankees
After a miraculous fifth-inning comeback in game five, the Los Angeles Dodgers captured the MLB World Series Title in a 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees. The series served as the Dodgers’ eighth world championship and their fourth World Series victory over the Yankees. The two opponents have been no stranger to competing against one another, with the Dodgers’ last championship against the Pinstripes coming in 1981.
Led at the time by Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager, the Dodgers quickly handled the Pinstripes in six games. Eerily similar to the team’s most recent World Series victory over the Yankees, the Dodgers’ roster proved to be too much for the New York team to handle.
The historical one for both the sport and the world, as it gave millions of fans a duel for the ages. Coincidentally, the year 1981 also proved to be an essential one for UTSA, as The Paisano launched its very first issue earlier that year.
A nostalgic reading, the tabloid calls to mind a time when newspapers and print journalism ruled the news world.
The clustered yet organized formatting of multiple stories brings childlike joy to writers and readers everywhere who long for the prominent return of print media. Though the newspaper was in its infancy, The Paisano’s first issue exuded professionalism and credibility. These attributes have remained essential within the student-led organization, serving as pillars for each contributor and staff writer to follow.
Celebrating its 43rd anniversary, The Paisano has decided to use the Fall Classic matchup between the Dodgers and Yankees to reminisce on the newspaper’s early days and humble beginnings. An eightpage black and white issued newspaper, the Paisano’s first printing debuted on Jan 27, 1981. Nearly nine months before the historic Dodger-Yankee World Series, the newspaper covered a multitude of topics such as dorm propositions, women’s seminars and educational program issues.
The emboldened black ink pressed onto the newsprint paper seems to jump off the page, grabbing the reader’s attention and captivating them with important university and local news. While the paper’s column formatting remains very similar to its modern rendition, its slightly crooked columns and small faults give the paper a sense of bittersweet nostalgia. Everything down to the issue’s very last page, in which designs were drawn to determine a permanent logo, gives readers a small glimpse into the sentimental past of print journalism.
Though the two entities share very few similarities, both The Paisano and the Dodgers have continued to share a longstanding history of professionalism within their field. The two are forever linked together, as the Dodgers’ 1981 banner year served as the iconic newspaper’s birth year.
Alicia Coppedge - Athlete of the week
By Izabella Hernandez Staff Writer
While some people grow up playing a sport that defines their entire life, middle blocker Alicia Coppedge grew up with dreams of becoming an engineer. Guided by the path of academics to reach her goal, Coppedge found volleyball along the way. Now a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, Coppedge is pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration as well as competing in her last year of eligibility at UTSA. Despite playing multiple sports in middle school, Coppedge only began playing club volleyball in her junior year of high school.
“It was kind of more of an accident ‘cause I started club super late,” Coppedge said.
“They just told me that the school emailed me and I heard about it and I came here and I liked it a lot. I wasn’t trying to go to college for volleyball or sports so it was kind of just like a happy accident.”
Coming out of high school, Coppedge decided on UTSA not just for volleyball but for its engineering program. Coppedge was used to focusing on her studies and being an athlete on the side. She then entered the university as a student-athlete who was about to learn the weight of Division I.
“That was my biggest struggle freshman/ sophomore year because I was so used to being more like the engineer and then I just played a bunch of different sports and those kind of came separate,” Coppedge said. “Then I got here and I realized that volleyball is such a job. It’s a 24/7 thing. You really have to be on top of it. Honestly, it was pretty difficult juggling that, especially with the amount of classes I was taking, but I think that this athletics program is really good about providing you with tutors and making sure that your class schedules don’t overwhelm you and fit with volleyball so you’re not constantly running back and forth.”
While focusing on her studies, her love for the sport only grew. Coppedge is a natural on the court but continued to improve her skills as a middle blocker over time.
“I was definitely here for school, but then overtime volleyball became such a thing,” Coppedge said. “I understand why people are passionate because I’ve been playing for so long. I started understanding and wanting to be passionate about it and wanting to win, and I just wanted to play for my team. I think it was just the amount of time you spend with the girls. It builds a bond and makes you want to play for them.”
In her final season at UTSA, Coppedge has set a new school record for blocks in a match; she has led the Roadrunners in blocks for the past two seasons and is currently No.4 in blocks among players in the American Athletic Conference.
“I think the reason that I was more than likely recruited was because I was naturally good at blocking and I knew that,” Coppedge said. “Over time I’ve had different coaching staff and they would each try to fix my arm swing and I think that they really did help me with that. I think our coaching staff was always really good. I feel like I’ve become a completely different player because honestly when I got to college I really didn’t think I was that good and I only took a couple years,
in my opinion, I’ve grown so much. I’m a completely different player and I’m way better.
“I do think being a middle is very difficult and I do think it’s really important because middles, in my opinion, set a lot of tones for the game. We’re called the middle blocker for a reason, not middle hitter. Depending on how the block is set up, it changes a lot of things for defense in the back row. Everyone wants to say if you miss a serve that’s the end of the point. If you don’t have a good block set up, you can’t get a dig; that’s also the end of the point. If you get a block, that’s an end of a point,” Coppedge said. “So I think the block is honestly one of the most important things and it changes the tone of everything because you can be the best hitter in the world but if you get blocked then you’re in your head. So you’re basically just messing with the other team’s mind so I think it’s kind of the best, most interesting, most fun position.”
Just as Coppedge’s love for blocking drew her to becoming a middle blocker, her love for math drew her to engineering. She has already found great success in the industry with a variety of opportunities and hopes to find a job in the field that allows her to travel.
“I knew I wanted to do engineering from a young age because I just like math a lot,” Coppedge said. “I don’t necessarily love science, but I love the fact that science answers a lot of questions which is why engineering clearly makes the most sense for me. I really wanted to do engineering and I wanted to work in the oil and gas fuel, and at first, I thought about doing civil but then I just switched to mechanical because it was so much more broad and I can go into any field. I just think that the fact that I have so many opportunities, especially right now, and I see myself and I see all these job options that I have, I think that that’s really something that I’ve looked into.”
Aside from her academic and athletic qualities, Coppedge is a fun personality who loves to laugh and dance. In her free time, Coppedge loves watching movies, writing books and drawing. She has a deep appreciation for music and enjoys listening to anything upbeat that she can dance to. She has juggled so much from school, internships and sports and continues to seek newfound success where she has not already.
“I think that the fact that I continued school, starting a master’s is really good for me, especially coming out of volleyball because it gave me the chance to meet people that I haven’t been able to meet over the years,” Coppedge said. “I would say that it’s been a roller coaster ride, to be honest. It’s been really fun. A lot of ups and downs but that was also just a part of college. I think that volleyball has shaped my college experience completely and I don’t think that I would’ve had the same opportunities or experiences that I’ve had. I’ve been able to be around so many athletes, I’ve been able to travel more than I’ve ever traveled before. I think it’s just been a really good experience, especially because of volleyball. It’s given me a group of people. I basically have a group of people for life.”
Coppedge’s unique journey sets an example for those taking on new experiences. That is where dedication and discipline shine, opportunity follows.
By Marcela Montufar Soria Opinion Editor
Morgan Brown/The Paisano
Morgan Brown/The Paisano
Red Bull’s ‘Simply lovely’ victory in Brazil
Max Verstappen goes from P17 to P1 in waterlogged race
back with record breaking performance
UTSA beats ranked team for the first time Roadrunners bounce
By Hannah Velasquez Distribution Manager
UTSA football defeated the University of Memphis 44-36 on Saturday at the Alamodome.
The Roadrunners (4-5, 2-3 AAC) faced off against the Tigers (7-2, 3-2 AAC) demonstrating that their setbacks with injuries did not restrain them. UTSA’s victory over Memphis is the first time in program history that the Roadrunners have beaten a ranked school. The ‘Runners’ tight ends worked throughout the game to combat the pressure the Tigers brought to secure the win.
“That’s our deepest group on the team,” sophomore quarterback Owen McCown said.
“They really stepped up in a show today.”
Roadrunners’ sophomore tight- end Houston Thomas earned the team’s first touchdown of the game after receiving a 9-yard pass from McCown, tying the score 7-7.
“Their defense, they like to only rush three so it gives me a lot of time to survey the field,” McCown said. “Receivers did a great job getting open. I thought everyone executed for the most part.”
Memphis scored two touchdowns in the second quarter, extending its lead to 24-14.
Tigers’ wide receiver Demeer Blankumsee got open for a 69-yard pass touchdown. Two minutes before that, Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan and Blankumsee connected for a 21yard score.
Two minutes into the third quarter the Roadrunners extended their lead 31-24 after earning their tenth first down. Thomas ran into the end zone wide open for the catch for McCown to find him for the duo’s second touchdown.
“Every play matters,” McCown said. “Our heartbreaking loss last week in those early
UTSA cruises past St. Mary’s in dominant season opener
Vets and newcomers power women’s basketball to win over St. Mary’s
By Aramis Santiago Staff Writer
Senior forward Jordyn Jenkins’ 23 points powered UTSA to a 9038 victory over cross-town rival St. Mary’s University on Friday at the Convocation Center.
In the Roadrunners’ first action of the season, they put together an all-around performance, stymieing the Rattlers offense and overpowering their defense. The ‘Runners returned vital players such as Jenkins and showcased freshman like Taylor Ross in the exhibition win.
The Roadrunners established their dominance right from the opening possession, securing three offensive rebounds before Jenkins took over and scored the team’s first eight points. UTSA’s defense was stifling, forcing St. Mary’s to score just three points over the first four minutes and made it difficult for the Rattlers to bring the ball up the court. The ‘Runners forced turnovers and drew multiple fouls, which contributed to their early 13-3 lead. Jenkins finished with 13 points in the quarter, while newcomer senior forward Nyayongah Gony added seven. The ‘Runners closed the period ahead 26-11.
“To be able to put pressure on the other team and have them think about having to handle the ball 94 feet,” coach Karen Aston said. “I love teams that can do that and we haven’t had that here until this year.”
Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm early in the second quarter. The Roadrunners scored just six points in the first five minutes, while the Rattlers managed seven. Despite the scoring lull, UTSA’s backups maintained their defensive intensity. St. Mary’s committed an eight-second violation and fought to get clean looks at the basket. As the half wound down, the Roadrunners reignited their offensive spark with fast-break layups from junior guard Alexis Parker and sophomore guard Emma Lucio, ending the quarter
quarters, we had some plays we didn’t execute and it came back to bite us so that was the message this week.”
UTSA took multiple deep passes during the third quarter, playing aggressive offense and keeping the Memphis offense on the sidelines.
Memphis’ wide receiver Koby Drake caught a deep pass from Henigan to score a touchdown on the very edge of the Roadrunners end zone.
With 48 seconds left in the game, Henigan passed to senior tight end Anthony Landphere who fumbled the ball into the end zone, but quickly recovered it for the Tigers’ final score of the game.
During the game, Roadrunners senior
linebacker Jamal Ligon became the program’s all-time leading tackler with 317 after logging six tackles for the team.
“It’s amazing,” Ligon said. “Last year I said it won’t be long. It’s a humbling feeling. It’s a blessing.”
In the second quarter, sophomore kicker Tate Sandell broke the school’s record for longest field-goal by 54 yards out. The previous record was 53 yards set by Sean Ianno in 2014. UTSA will remain at home for its next game against the University of North Texas at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at the Alamodome.
UTSA volleyball loses second consecutive conference match
Roadrunners’ poor hitting results in loss to Owls
By Bailey Hall Staff Writer
UTSA volleyball was defeated by Rice University 3-0 on Sunday at the Convocation Center.
The Roadrunners’ (8-17, 2-10 AAC) offense was aggressive, notching 35 kills. The Owls (15-6, 10-2 AAC) were superior with 54 kills, earning the win in three sets. The game was close in points, but UTSA could not close out each set, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22.
“Really good match against arguably the top team in the conference,” coach Carol Price-Torok said. “I thought we did some really great things. We had some great games from Peyton defensively and some great stuff from our outsides. Good stuff from Mia Soerensen. We just couldn’t quite finish the sets. Kind of a tough one to swallow, I felt like we did everything right.”
The first set was tight; there was not a lead bigger than two points in the whole set. Owls outside hitter Samarah Hill served, which was received by sophomore libero Peyton Turner. The ball went out of the court, was saved by sophomore setter Annika Sokol and was pushed over by freshman outside hitter Ally Tribe.
The
on an 11-3 run. The ‘Runners took a commanding 43-21 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, UTSA ramped up its defensive pressure. The Roadrunners forced backto-back turnovers, leading to consecutive fast-break layups from Jenkins, who opened the quarter with six straight points, increasing her game total to 21. Junior forward Cheyenne Rowe took over in the third quarter, scoring 13 of her 17 points in the second half.
Graduate guard Nina De Leon Negron also established a strong connection with Jenkins and contributed to multiple scoring plays. Gony continued her impressive debut as well, sinking a three-pointer to reach double digits and help extend UTSA’s lead. By the end of the third, the Roadrunners had gone on a 23-3 run and held the Rattlers to just nine points in the quarter, leading 66-30.
“I definitely think I’m more confident this season,” Rowe said. “Now I’m making opportunities for myself instead of getting lucky and having them come to me.”
Rowe continued to impress in the final quarter, draining a threepointer that stretched UTSA’s lead to 69-30. However, it was Ross who took center stage, recording a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in her first collegiate game. Ross displayed hustle on both ends by driving to the basket, cleaning up offensive boards and making key defensive plays. UTSA showed plenty of defensive versatility, forcing 29 turnovers and outrebounding St. Mary’s 44-24.
“I am excited about what we can do with this group,” Aston said. “There’s many different combinations we can put out there. I’m excited about what the young player’s careers can be like if they buy into the process.”
UTSA will officially begin the season on the road against the Texas A&M Aggies at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Reed Arena in College Station, Texas.
The ball was dug up by Rice. Owls middle blocker Kaitlyn Knobbe was set up for the attack, but she was blocked by senior middle blocker Alicia Coppedge and junior outside hitter Caroline Krueger. Sokol picked the ball up and set for Krueger. She tapped the ball over and Rice watched as it fell to the floor.
The ‘Runners took a quick lead at the start of the second set. When Krueger was up to serve for the third time, Rice received it and set outside hitter Katrina Jensen up for the attack. Soerensen and Coppedge saw the attack and roofed
UTSA soccer wins key game but misses out on conference cut
Dade’s header secures victory; Roadrunners end season strong
By Hannah Velasquez Distribution Manager
UTSA prevailed against Florida Atlantic University Thursday night at Park West Athletic Complex, winning 2-1. With seven minutes remaining, Roadrunners’ (8-73, 3-5-2 AAC) senior defender Sasjah Dade headed the ball into the corner of the goal. Executing a set piece, sophomore midfielder Sophie Morrin kicked off from the corner towards her teammates. It was enough for Dade to get the ball and score her third goal of the season and take the lead over the Owls (3-11-4, 2-6-2 AAC) with their second goal.
“It was great for us to come back to show true resolve and character and who our players are,” coach Derek Pittman said. “Our DNA of fighting all the way until the end and never giving up. We’re really proud.”
The Owls were fixated on finding success in its set pieces and corner kicks but remained unprosperous through most of the game. The ‘Runners started the game with their usual 3-5-2 formation and Florida Atlantic started with a 4-3-3, trying to build from the back.
Finding success off a set piece, senior midfielder Jordyn Hyland scored her first goal of the season by kicking the ball and scoring on the top corner of the goal. Junior defender Rylee Low started the playoff with a throw-in toward junior defender Zoë May. May then headbutted the ball towards Hyland, bringing the score to 1-1 in the second half.
“We prepare for each opponent differently,” Hyland said. “We had a pretty good game plan. If we were to go up a goal, then we would drop back and defend, and if we were down a goal, then we’d put all of our numbers up.”
The Roadrunners took multiple close shots but were deflected by Owls’ goalkeeper Lexi Gonzalez or by the goalpost. Senior midfielder Olivia Alzarez and Dade were persistent with keeping the pressure on the opposing defense by staying on top of them and not allowing them to take the ball far.
“Although people were nervous, I think that we were playing with the idea in the back of our minds that this could be our last game,” Hyland said.
Headbutting the ball into the back of the goal, Owls’ forward Sutton Markee held off senior defender Peyton Godbey after getting the ball from a teammate. During the second half, Gonzalez kicked to center field to
midfielder Morgan McDonald and then to Markee.
“We took steps forward this season,” Pittman said. “They showed a tremendous amount of toughness and grit and how they came out and executed the things we’ve been working on. It feels good.”
The first half was slow as most of the attacking was done center pitch with UTSA keeping 56% possession over the ball. UTSA led in shot attempts 6-3 and fouls 8-6 during the first half and ended the game with 14-6 shot attempts on the Owls.
Due to the match between the University of Memphis and the University of Tulsa ending in a 1-1 draw, Tulsa remains No. 8 in the AAC standings. UTSA will not be advancing to the conference tournament despite its win over Florida Atlantic.
Jensen. The Roadrunners stuffed the Owls two more times in the second set. It was not enough as Rice took a lead of five in the set; UTSA could not close the gap.
‘Runners took a four-point lead in the third set, but the Owls took it back halfway through the set.
Soerensen led the team with 10 kills, Tribe had eight kills and middle blocker
Izabella Hernandez/The Paisano
Izabella Hernandez/The Paisano
David Ugboh/The Paisano