THE PAISANO
TikTok went Dark for 170 million U.S. Users
By Kara Lee Graphic Editor
Late on Jan. 18, 170 million TikTok users in the U.S. discovered the app had gone dark. It became inaccessible as a response to a law passed by a bipartisan majority in Congress. TikTok voluntarily shut down service to its U.S. users before Sunday, Jan. 19 — the official day the app was scheduled to be taken offline. When users in the U.S. tried to open the app, they were greeted with the message below.
“Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
In addition, TikTok became unavailable for download in the App and Google Play stores.
The primary concerns surrounding the app include national security risks and the sharing of user data with China. The Paisano reached out to U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro (District 20) for his thoughts on the situation.
“I served on the Intelligence Committee for about nine years, and there is a legitimate concern about data transfers from TikTok to the Chinese government,” Castro said. “But I voted against the TikTok ban because, despite national security concerns, there are
other ways to address those issues. Also, the information that China could potentially get through data transfers could be obtained in other ways, even without TikTok. TikTok has been a vital platform for communication, commerce and enjoyment for millions of Americans. For those reasons, I voted against the ban when it came up last year,” Castro said.
President Donald Trump signed an extension on the first day of his presidency allowing TikTok to remain available for an additional 75 days. When asked what happens after these 75 days, Castro responded that “TikTok will be banned if the federal government, under the Trump administration, enforces the law. It is unclear right now what will happen in the next few months — whether there will be buyers lined up and the company will transfer ownership or if TikTok will ultimately shut down.
“I think part of what Donald Trump would like to see is for TikTok’s owners to sell at least the American segment to right-wing billionaires who would control the platform. I expect you’ll see them line up to buy it in the next few months,” Castro said.
The Supreme Court upheld the ban, stating that it does not violate any constitutional rights. In a unanimous, unsigned opinion, the Court concluded that “the challenged provisions do
not violate the petitioners’ First Amendment rights.”
Castro reflected on this decision, noting that the ban infringes upon First Amendment rights.
“Yeah. I think it’s clearly an important platform for expression — artistic expression, political expression — and so, taking out an entire platform stifles free speech,” Castro said. “For some people, TikTok is the only social media platform they use.”
When asked whether concerns about data privacy primarily drove the app’s ban, or if the content and user activity also played a significant role in the debate, Castro added “a lot of the debate centered on national security, but there was also dissatisfaction on the right about some of the content coming out of TikTok. It’s very popular with younger people, who tend to lean more progressive. That was definitely part of the conversation.”
In response to whether TikTok is facing more scrutiny than other platforms over data misuse, Castro said “That’s the irony. Data privacy is a concern across all social media platforms and tech companies. American companies have collected a lot of data from American users over the years, which may be similar to what TikTok does. But for some reason, we haven’t addressed this with Congress.”
Beloved Chap Cat missing for weeks
By Khoi Nguyen Staff Writer
On Dec. 20, 2024, the UTSA community learned that Chaparral Village’s resident feral cat — Harry or ‘Chap Cat’— had gone missing. The report came from Harry’s Instagram account, run by students and alumni, reading “We haven’t see[n] Harry all week at Chap. Reports of him being over at Laurel, Alvarez and the Ximenes Garage came in this week. We just want our handsome boy to be home for Christmas.” Six weeks later, there have been no confirmed sightings of Harry. —
“Harry’s been missing since Dec. 12, so we’re pretty worried about him,” said Dr. Karen Williams, a professor of Information Sciences at UTSA and faculty advisor of the Roadrunner Cat Coalition. The Cat Coalition has been spearheading
the search effort for Harry. A series of extensive searches conducted on campus and around the dorms have yielded no conclusive results.
Paired with a lack of sightings and incident reports involving cats, the Coalition believes it possible someone could have taken him.
“I’m just concerned that somebody took him,” Williams said. “If he’s safe and happy and well, that’s wonderful. We sure would like to know. We want to know.”
“Our main theory was a student took him in because that’s when it started to get really cold,” said the owner of the @chap_cat Instagram account, who
wished to remain anonymous. The account has been working in tandem with the Coalition to coordinate information regarding Harry. “We did notice that someone had put a collar on him this year, so maybe it was just a student who wanted to take care of him. If it is the student who has him, you won’t be in trouble. Please just let us know.” Harry has been a member of the Roadrunner community for over 15 years. Although many have voiced their concerns over his age, Dr. Williams remains confident that it is not a factor in his disappearance, citing good health and regular vet appointments.
The Paisano also reached out to Joe Izbrand, Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications and External Affairs at UTSA, to ask how the ban could affect staff and faculty. While he did not have much additional information, he shared his knowledge of the topic.
“There’s not much to share regarding TikTok.
Back in December 2022, Governor Abbott issued an executive order banning all state agencies, including public universities, from using TikTok or accessing it through state-owned devices that can access the internet,” Izbrand said. “This includes IT servers.”
“He’s taken to the vet regularly. He’s lost a little bit of weight, but that’s normal for his age,” Williams said. “He looks good. There’s not anything wrong [with] him.”
Similar concerns regarding inclement weather and wandering off have also been dismissed, given Harry’s strong preference for Chaparral Village.
While findings are currently inconclusive, the Cat Coalition urges its members and students to stay hopeful and offer any information regarding Harry’s whereabouts. Information can be given to Williams at +1 (210) 316-0078 or to Harry’s Instagram account @chap_cat.
“We’re definitely still hopeful,” the owner of @chap_cat said. “The Roadrunner Cat Coalition is trying to remain hopeful that he is somewhere, and that if someone has him, he’ll come home.”
University college launches transition course for veterans
By Jaylee Paredes Contributor
In an effort to immerse first-year college veterans, the University College implemented a new program within the Academic Introduction & Strategies (AIS) program to help with the transition into college.
The AIS program aims to provide additional support and community for veterans. The decision to create this course was due to feedback from current veteran students who have mentioned challenges in relating to traditional firstyear students.
AIS is a new element of UTSA’s First-Year Experience, which is designed to help new students navigate the different obstacles of college. Within the course, students explore and engage in their academic plans, majors, and find skills that are necessary for academic success. The new course for veterans will offer a tailored environment for their needs.
Brian Rendell, a retired Air Force colonel with
24 years of service, will be teaching this course. Rendell is also the University College’s Senior Director of Academic Credentialing, leadership development and marketable skills. Rendell’s background and experience will help guide veteran students in their academic journey. The new course is filling up quickly, highlighting the demand for veteran-centered academic support. always trying to find ways to increase student success,” said Rendell “In this case, our goal is to ensure that veterans feel even more connected to the university and have the resources to succeed academically.
new AIS course will offer a classroom environment where veteran students can learn how to capitalize on their military experiences and connect with others who share similar backgrounds and life aspirations,” Rendell said. has many programs supporting military-affiliated students, which make up 16% of the school’s population. The school is ranked No. 53 out of 304 institutions for best colleges for veterans.
TxDOT closes 1604 turnarounds
By Gladys Manes Contributor
As part of the ongoing plan to expand Loop 1604, the Texas Department of Transportation announced several turnaround closures last Friday. Starting Feb. 17, the north-to-southbound turnaround will be closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., with construction ending on Feb. 19. Similarly, the south-to-northbound turnaround will be closed from Feb. 19 to Feb. 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
These to the overall goal of replacing the current cloverleaf connectors 1604 and I-10 with a fivelevel interchange, which is part of the Loop 1604 North expansion project’s second phase. Construction in this area began in 2022 and is expected to end in 2027. Phase two will include closing the eastbound UTSA Boulevard on I-10 and the westbound entrance to Loop 1604 from UTSA Boulevard due to their proximity to the new interchange.
Texas Department of Transportation hopes this project will “reduce congestion, improve mobility and enhance safety” on San Antonio highways.
The Loop 1604 North Expansion project as a whole began in 2021 and is slated to last until 2028. Construction will change traffic flow by expanding Loop 1604 from four to 10 lanes. There is also a focus on increasing bicycle and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks. Overall, the
Two out of six project phases are expected to be completed this year. Phase one, will add eight lanes to Loop 1604 between I-10 and Hausman and replace the current westbound exit to Babcock with a new access road. Phase three will open eight additional lanes from I-10 to Blanco. The eastbound LockhillSelma exit will also be replaced by a new access road, and the Tradesman project is part of the greater Texas Clear Lanes initiative, which is currently operating in other major cities, such as Austin and Fort Worth. The Texas Department of Transportation is working to address traffic congestion through several different strategies.
The first and most obvious strategy is construction projects to expand and streamline highways. However, the department is also working to encourage telecommuting and public transportation to decrease the amount of cars on the road.
To stay informed on construction updates, visit TxDOT’s webpage at www.txdot.gov/ about/newsroom.
Crime log 12/16 - 1/24
By Daniela Hinojsa Contributor
In compliance with the Clery Act, UTSA keeps a daily crime log for all on-campus crimes. The log summarizes the case’s date, time, location, incident and current status. The crimes detailed below are taken directly from the crime log, showcasing the trends premiered from Dec. 16 to Jan. 24.
Larceny/Theft
From Dec. 16 through Jan. 23, five incidents of larceny/theft were reported. The incidents occurred at the John Peace Library, the Multidisciplinary Studies Building, Guadalupe Hall and the Student Union Building. The value of the thefts range from less than $100 to $29,999.99. All but one incident remains active.
Minors with alcohol
From Jan. 5 through Jan. 24, there were four reports made to the UTSA Police Department of the consumption of alcohol by a minor or minor in possession of alcohol. A report made on Jan. 5 resulted in three counts of consumption of alcohol by a minor. A driving while intoxicated
with a BAC of 0.15 or higher offense occurred, as well. The four cases were cleared by arrest or closed by exceptional means, indicating elements beyond UTSAPD’s control prevented them from arresting and formally charging the offender.
Assault
An assault by contact offense under the designation of family violence occurred at the Roadrunner Academic Center of Excellence on Jan. 11. It occurred from 10:18 a.m. to 11:24 a.m. The case is still active.
Hazing
Two counts of organizational hazing occurred on Jan. 13. The incident took place at Bosque St. Building from 11:38 a.m. to 11:54 a.m. The case remains active.
Unlawful disclosure
On Jan. 21, an unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material offense was reported to UTSAPD at 9:18 p.m. The offense occurred at University Oaks Building 22 from 5:35 p.m. to 9:42 p.m. The case remains active.
Stone Oak standoff: 7 officers injured
By Alessandra Avila News Editor
Seven San Antonio Police Department officers were shot and injured Wednesday night while responding to a report of a suicide in progress at the Sonterra Heights apartment complex in Stone Oak. In the long standoff afterward, the suspect, identified as 46-year-old veteran Brandon Scott Poulos, was found dead. Poulos served in the U.S. Navy from 1998 to 2008. The motive behind the incident remains under investigation. Police were dispatched to the 332-unit apartment complex in the 1800 block of Stone Oak Parkway just before 8:30 p.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting a “suicide in progress.” A second call followed, stating shots were fired at the scene. As officers arrived, a woman emerged from the apartment and warned the suspect was shooting inside and getting ready to come out.
Poulos emerged from the apartment and opened fire, striking one officer in the leg. Police pulled the wounded officer to safety and rushed him to the hospital. The violence only escalated as Poulos continued firing on backup officers. SWAT teams were deployed and spent hours attempting to negotiate with Poulos. Poulos was shot by officers during the exchange and died on the scene.
Some residents watched parts of the standoff from their apartments, while others temporarily evacuated or took shelter in closets from crossfire. Residents stated they saw officers administer a tourniquet to the injured colleague and evacuate residents once it became possible.
Residents expressed disbelief at the violence in their community, with one social media post commenting, “How could this happen here? I’ve seen videos of incidents like this, but never expected it in Stone Oak.”
By 2 a.m., police allowed evacuated residents to return to their homes. In live updates, SAPD Chief William McManus confirmed the injury of the officers during the standoff. All seven wounded officers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released by Thursday afternoon.
State of the City
Week of 1/28
By Christopher Delgado Staff Writer
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 a deadly hit-and-run collision to a list of San Antonio’s holiday hot spots.
2025 Mayoral elections
After completing his fourth term as Mayor of San Antonio, Ron Nirenberg will be ineligible for re-election. This leaves the race open for a flurry of candidates who are ramping up their campaigns for the May 3 elections. Amongst those who have filed to appear on the ballot are Irys Technologies CEO Beto Altamirano, District 6 Council Member Melissa Cabello-Havrda and District 4 Council Member Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia. The final date to file to be on the ballot is Feb. 15. 20 candidates have designated a campaign treasurer, which is necessary to begin fundraising. Analysts predict candidates will have to raise at least $500,000 to make it to a potential run-off election in June. So far, District Nine Council Member John Courage has dropped out of the race. The upcoming mayor will be eligible for two four-year terms. The elected candidate will also be the first to reap the benefits of a higher salary set at $87,000 due to a voter approved preposition made in Nov. 2024. A full list of the candidates can be found on San Antonio Report’s website, sanantonioreport. org.
Town Hall for the Frost Bank Center
Following the announcement of “Project Marvel,” the San Antonio Spurs may be leaving the Frost Bank Center. This has led to speculation as to what their current home-game venue could be used for. The Spurs’ current lease agreement does not end until 2032; many wonder how soon a relocation will occur. The San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo organizer have not revealed whether they will also leave the center. A town hall meeting was held on the east side of San Antonio to discuss potential ideas. Suggestions ranged from museums, a golf course and year-round Rodeo education events. Many proposals involved recommendations to develop housing and the economy for the San Antonio community. The next town hall is slated for Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum Frontier Room located at 3201 E. Houston St. The meeting will be led by the Bexar County commissioner.
Aggravated road rage near Southside High School
Two vehicles involved in an unspecified traffic altercation partook in a high-speed chase heading southbound on Roosevelt Avenue. The male driver of a presumed Hyundai Palisade had a gun during the chase. The second vehicle, unidentified by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, hit a third uninvolved vehicle. The third vehicle joined in on the chase. The pursuit came to a halt near Southside High School. The driver of the third vehicle confronted the driver of the second vehicle. Meanwhile, the driver brandishing a gun approached the two drivers and shot the driver of the second vehicle. The victim received a non-life-threatening injury. The suspect, believed to be in his 50s with a mustache and goatee, fled the scene and is still at large.
OpiNION
Say ‘Hell, no’
to Abbott’s intervention
Editorial Governor threatens A&M administration, prohibits student participation in academic conference
Governor Greg Abbott, in a disturbing trend of expanding his gubernatorial powers to unprecedented levels, has taken it upon himself to decide the future of major public Texas universities. Abbott publicly threatened to remove the president of Texas A&M University, Mark Welsh III, from his position for allegedly violating the state’s ban on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies. This sets a dangerous precedent for state universities in Texas.
Students and faculty of the Mays Business School received an email encouraging them to participate in an annual conference hosted by the PhD Project. This conference’s participation is notably limited to individuals who are Black, Hispanic or Native American, as the PhD Project’s mission is to increase diversity in classrooms and the workplace. This drew attention from many conservatives on the warpath against DEI initiatives.
“Hell, no. It’s against Texas law and violates the U.S. Constitution. It will be fixed immediately or the president will soon be gone,” Abbott stated on X in response to a conservative activist’s complaint
about Texas A&M’s decision to send representatives.
Texas A&M stated that the university’s general counsel had confirmed that participation did not violate the letter of the law when it came to the state’s ban on DEI policies and initiatives. Many state universities in Texas — including University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at El Paso, University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley and University of Texas at San Antonio — have historically participated in the conference.
Did Nazi that coming
Commentary
By Kara Lee Graphic Editor
During the inauguration of the 47th president, several tech moguls were in attendance — including Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors and X. Musk was less than a minute into his speech at Washington’s Capital One Arena when he thanked the crowd for electing President Donald J. Trump. After sharing his gratitude, he slapped his right hand over his heart and extended it straight ahead — palm facing down. To many observers, Musk’s arm movement resembled a Sieg Heil — the Nazi salute. He then turned and repeated the motion.
“My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured,” he said after giving the second one-armed salute.
The incident lasted only a few seconds but ignited a global debate over how to interpret Musk’s actions. Some online accounts referred to it as a “Roman salute,” but that interpretation is inaccurate, and Musk’s supporters are offering excuses for him. Although the salute was first adopted by Italian fascists in the 1920s, under Mussolini, and later adopted by the Nazi Party, that is the only connection. The salute was essentially copied from the Italians. There is no justification for it, as it is dangerous and offensive. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the gesture was a “Roman salute.”
George Mason, University Professor and author Martin Winkler, who studied
the history of the salute, suggests that the “Roman salute” is a modern invention. There is no historical evidence that a similar gesture was used in ancient Rome, and no statues of Roman emperors or commanders depict the motion. The closest reference to a Roman salute is a palm raised, with the elbow bent, as a greeting — similar to a modern-day wave. None of this bears any resemblance to the straight-armed salute performed by Musk. Musk has aligned himself with far-right ideologies, and while his intentions may not be entirely clear, this action seems deliberate, revealing his true colors. Why else would Musk choose a gesture historically associated with rejecting liberalism, democracy, the rule of law and human rights? If history does not repeat itself, it certainly rhymes.
It is ironic that this gesture could potentially land someone in legal trouble in Germany, yet in the U.S., it was excused and dismissed as a joke. “These people are so thirsty for controversy and racism— that doesn’t exist—it’s astounding,” proTrump influencer Charlie Kirk wrote on X. The lack of immediate condemnation highlights how troubling this situation is in America. Musk’s response to the incident— “Don’t say ‘Hess’ to Nazi accusations! Some people will Goebbels anything down!” — referencing the names of prominent German Nazis.
Fascist actions should have no place in a democracy, and no one, not even the richest man on the planet, should be excused for such behavior.
The never-ending ride of American politics
Commentary
By Khoi Nguyen Staff Writer
It is no secret that politics evolve rapidly in America. While change from past to present is inevitable — ‘bumps’ Americans must ride through just as a rollercoaster follows its sines and cosines —with leaders and celebrities alike switching and picking sides, too often citizens are left dizzy.
Elon Musk’s insurmountable donations to Trump’s campaign and Snoop Dogg’s recent performance at the first ‘Crypto Ball’ highlight the wishy-washy beliefs supposed role models present to us. While their political shifts may seem dramatic, the thesis has remained the same: those who are rich and powerful have the means to realize their ambitions, and more often than not, they will.
All of these universities have since pulled their representatives from participating. While the governor’s office did not mandate the UT System to pull its representatives, it strongly encouraged them to. This threat represents Abbott’s bold expansion of his powers and influence as governor over the everyday lives of Texans. While Abbott does not have the power to unilaterally fire Walsh — contrary to his claim — he can appoint members to the Texas A&M Board of Regents who directly oversee the hiring process for university administrators, including the president. University administrators across Texas are now in the crosshairs of the governor’s office, who have made it clear that their job will not survive political retribution if they step out of line. Abbott’s actions only serve to harm the education of Texas students. His threats — made purely based on party politics — will have dangerous consequences if left unaddressed. Students should not be limited in their pursuit of education, especially by the hate and ignorance of a volatile, power-hungry politician.
TikTok targeted: Protection or politics?
The not-so-same Musk can now be seen sitting behind President Donald Trump at his inauguration, head of the Department of Government Efficiency and one of President Trump’s closest allies.
Commentary By Mogbekeleoluwa Shebioba Staff Writer
TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms today. With its algorithm catering to each and every single user, it is easy to understand why it has become a juggernaut for sharing content and information. Naturally, TikTok has become many people’s main news source as it encourages creators to deliver information in a timely manner — typically under a minute.
of President Trump’s inauguration, it certainly seems like the TikTok ban was an overblown publicity stunt to garner the support of a younger audience. Fascist countries ban apps, and That does not appear to be the goal here. It is quite suspicious that the message that popped up after the ban was supportive of President Trump, who was the one who signed the executive order to ban it in 2020.
Snoop Dogg’s performance at the Crypto Ball may have revolved around the pardoning of collaborator Michael Harris, who was in prison on drug charges. However, for someone who once called any black performers who performed for Trump an “Uncle Tom,” the switch-up seems almost comical, ripped right out of political satire.
The same transformation can be found in Elon Musk, who once deemed it “embarrassing” if Trump won the GOP
Americans are told to keep those in power in check, yet with how easily and freely celebrities and politicians switchup, this advice sounds increasingly futile with each restatement. Power is slippery; people with influence are even more so. If Americans are dizzied keeping up with their leaders, they should step off the ride and view it as the endless cycle it is. Democrats and Republicans alike can ride together, but it is the rich and powerful who shake things up most for everyone. Perhaps it is time for the emergency stop.
Since 2020, the American government has expressed interest in banning TikTok, citing that it “poses a national security risk” from China. TikTok actually followed through with the ban, shutting down in the United States for a grand total of 14 hours. Either TikTok is bad at commitment or there was more going on behind the scenes.
The Biden administration made a statement claiming that TikTok’s threat to go dark on Sunday, Jan. 19th was a stunt and there was no reason for TikTok to shut itself down before Presidentelect Donald Trump was sworn in on the 20th. Considering this whole ordeal just so happened to occur around the time
The message from TikTok reads, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!” This message is about as subtle as a brick to the face. “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support,” the post-ban message read. “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!” This whole stunt was bizarre to say the least, considering President Trump was not yet in office. Therefore, it is safe to assume there is probably more to the TikTok ‘ban’ than we will likely ever know. Furthermore, the app seemingly favoring right-leaning politics rather than being more neutral is concerning for the future of not only TikTok, but social media as a whole, in America.
MohithaRavikumar/The Paisano
Ibiene David-West /The Paisano
Sarah Quintonilla/The Paisano
OpiNION
America went back
Commentary
By Sofia Mejia Magazine Editor
On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump was sworn into office. Unsurprisingly, his inauguration speech contained inaccurate information and promises he never intends to keep.
“For American citizens,” Trump declared, “January 20th, 2025, is Liberation Day. To the Black and Hispanic communities, I’ve heard your voices in the campaign, and I look forward to working with you in the years to come.”
This story has been played out before; in his 2017 inauguration speech, he claimed, “January 20th 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.”
Despite Trump claiming he is for the people, the people have not seen this reflected in any regard. According to AmericanProgress.org, during his first presidential term, “President Trump asked Congress to cut funding from the Legal Services Corporation, a nonprofit that supports legal aid programs across the United States and whose client demographic is 4% African American and 17.9% Hispanic.” His actions showcase a clear disregard for certain populations of the American public and demonstrate his inability to act in everyone’s best interest.
In his 2025 speech, Trump also discussed the recent wildfires in L.A., claiming that the “country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency. That’s going to change.”
Despite Trump’s bold promise, America has already seen how it will play out through the Trump administration’s rejection of the California government’s request for federal disaster relief funds to help the state recover from the wildfires in 2020.
Throughout his campaign, Trump rallied the lower class with promises to “bring prices down” on day one — a promise he reiterated in his inauguration speech. This was his most popular lie as millions of Americans felt let down by rising costs under former President Biden, clinging to the hope that if Trump were to be president then this would change. America does not need to wait to see how the economy will develop under Trump, as high costs of living is nothing new to the president.
Trump brings the executive hammer down
Commentary By Daria Tanase
This past week has been heavy.
Hearing about the threatening proposals regarding immigrants, gender identities, abortion rights, equity and more has been disheartening to say the least. There comes a feeling of helplessness when reading the news each morning, and it is clear where it stems from: President Donald Trump. This past week of Trump’s administration has been full of talk and mass panic in many regards. On Jan. 20, Trump signed an executive order to help with “protecting the meaning and value of American citizenship,” as quoted from the official White House website, which essentially questions birthright citizenship. According to the States United Democracy Center regarding birthright citizenship, the 14th Amendment established “The United States guarantees citizenship to all children born inside its borders, regardless of the immigration status of their parents,” and it has been an effective guarantee that has been in place for over a century and a half. Trump is trying to make sure this is not the case.
Another guarantee that has been in place for an extensive amount of time is the Equal Employment Opportunity Act. This act makes it “illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.”
However, since Trump’s reintroduction, he has taken it upon himself to revoke this act. The order, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring MeritBased Opportunity,” will directly harm minorities in the workforce. Doing so is supposed to give everybody an “even playing field,” but when considering all of the factors that go into decisions for
employment, this could be detrimental.
The Trump administration also does not wish to recognize any sort of gender discrepancies, and this is clear through an invoked executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” Trump’s blatant transphobia has been apparent for years, and it is now going to seriously affect trans and nonbinary people to an incredible degree.
Under this newfound order, on top of not allowing people to legally transition or identify as anything besides their sex assigned at birth, intersex people are not recognized at all. As quoted from the official white house website, “it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable…” It is going to be interesting to see how this pans out if taken further. Not everything should be up to the government, and there is no true benefit to controlling the way a person identifies.
Some of these recent orders Trump is attempting to pass simply do not make sense, as there are things that should not be tampered with. Many of the orders signed have not moved forth at all, due to being blocked in court as for being “blatantly unconstitutional.” It is strange to see someone in office holding unconstitutional viewpoints regarding people living in America. People across the globe are being directly affected by these orders. It is ruining the lives of families and individuals who have worked hard to live their free lives. Seeing friends and peers living in fear is disappointing.
A d eadly societal disconnect
Commentary
By Selasie Gifa-Johnson Contributor
Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthCare from 2021 until his death on Dec. 4, 2024. Under his leadership, the company saw an increase in profits of approximately $4 billion from 2021 to 2023, according to Forbes. While it is not clear exactly what measures were taken to achieve this, Thompson did initiate the use of an AI system with a 90% error rate to automatically process insurance claims. The numerous denied claims created such strong discontent among UHC customers that a class action lawsuit was launched against UHC in 2022, which is still ongoing. Additionally, Thompson began receiving death threats. Death threats under any circumstances are a serious matter. In this case, these threats were the first signs of the growing social divide between people in positions of power and the rest of society. In Dec. 2024, this divide was shown very clearly when Luigi Mangione allegedly shot Thompson three times in public outside of a New York City hotel. Mangione’s actions generated a lot of sympathy from the general population. Initially, this killing generated fear among CEOs, which seemed like it could have been the catalyst for positive policy change among other health insurance
providers.
In displaying the general population’s discontent with the unfair health
reduce
Blue Shield, prioritized the safety of their executives by hiring security details and removing their personal information from company websites. Enhancing the security of these executives is a logical course of action, but it is also indicative of these companies’ priorities. social divide displayed by the positive public response to Thompson’s murder is dangerous because it breeds fear and frustration between the obscenely rich and the rest of society. The danger of this divide lies in the fact that individuals are willing to act negatively towards those they deem as sufficiently different from themselves. Over time, if this divide is allowed to grow, it will become easier for healthcare CEOs to enact societally detrimental policies while their customers will find it easier to justify horrible actions against them
a certain extent, the actions taken by UHC after Thompson’s death were necessary to prevent setting a precedent for violence against their health care executives yielding positive results. However, the concerning aspect of their overall response to the events of Dec. 2024 is the fact that UHC did not make a single policy change in the wake of a lawsuit regarding their use of an inaccurate AI to screen insurance claims.
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arts & life
a true diamond in the rough
By Cora White Staff Writer
Located roughly 20 minutes away from UTSA’s Main Campus at Castle Creek Village stands a small store full of hidden treasures.
Owned by the lovely couple Shawn and Sandra Pickell, Diamond in the Rough Antiques has been around for 13 years.
Shawn is a retired Marine with 24 years of service, who now spends his time collecting oddities and antiques of all kinds, as well as going out of his way to search for items at the request of his customers.
Typically, antique stores have a cluttered look: rooms overflowing with clothes, albums and other random trinkets. Diamond in the Rough Antiques is unusual in the sense that it is well organized, clean and nearly resembles an art gallery. Paintings and quilts line the walls, carefully displayed jewelry, belt buckles and other accessories glitter from their glass casings. Furniture from various time periods are carefully displayed throughout the shop, adding a homey feeling.
“Me and my wife, we are super into cleanliness and super unique, unbroken pieces and we take pride in that,” says Pickell. “We are very passionate about our customers, taking care of their needs and locating things that they want. I mean, if someone asks ‘I want this type of piece,’ I’ll find it for them.”
Pickell goes on to say, “We really take care of people, I always tell
people, ‘if you really find something you love, you’re going to leave with it’ — everything’s negotiable.
I want to take care of the customer.”
“I love beautiful things, I love jewelry, especially sterling silver and gold pieces,” Pickell mentions. “Personally, I collect antique relics from the Aztec and Mayan periods, so you’ll see a lot of things in here with that type of vibe.”
Fans of Marvel, Star Wars or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will find dozens of rare action figures and collectibles.
Shoppers looking for home decor or art to add to their collection may explore this shop’s wide variety of lamps, vases, paintings, vintage LED lights and anything else one could imagine. Music buffs will not be disappointed when they see the curated collection of guitars, amps, stands and radios. With jewelry, clothing, collectibles, furniture and art, there truly is an impressive selection at Diamond in the Rough Antiques. Diamond in the Rough Antiques is located at 6435 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Sundays and Wednesdays when they are open from noon to 5 p.m. Whatever you are looking for you will find at Diamond in the Rough Antiques, and if you do not, Shawn is always there to lend a helping hand in finding your dream pieces.
Should you really believe this?
By Christopher Delgado Staff Writer
On display in the UTSA Main Art Gallery from Jan. 22-Feb. 28 is “Do you really believe that?” — a travelling exhibit dedicated to Frances Colpitt following her death in 2022. Colpitt, who holds a doctorate in art history, was an associate professor at UTSA for fifteen years from 1990-2005. It was previously on display at Texas Christian University from Aug. 30-Nov. 16, 2024. After her time at UTSA, Colpitt taught from 20052021 at TCU. The exhibit’s title derives from a question she posed to students when making an observation in class.
“Do you really believe that?” focuses on abstract, minimalist and conceptual art.
Some of the featured artists include Sharon Engelstein and Hector A. Ramirez. Engelstein’s pieces include “Found” and “Sleeper” — both composed in 2017 and being sculptures of organic shapes using glazed ceramic. Ramirez’s “Carpet Shoes” and “Orange peel” were made in 2016 and 2018, respectively.“Carpet Shoes” utilizes carpet, leather shoes and hardwood flooring., while “Orange peel” was created using drywall texture and paint on a panel.
As one gazes upon the works, confusion encases the audience. Engelstein’s works seemed to be blobs, while Ramirez’s works are painted canvases depicting nothing and shoes sitting upon a floor. Closer examination reveals the little details that beg viewers to wonder about the intentionality of the pieces. In these tiny features that may be choice or chance, art is made.
“So these two things, it’s the same form,” said Engelstein of two of her earlier works. “But if I show it this way
and then show it this way, toppled over, it becomes a very different thing, or they become interactive with each other.”
This can be perfectly applied to both pieces by Engelstein. The two may seem derivative of one another and simple at first. Some may question, “How is this art?” It is in the process and the exploration that Engelstein’s art occurs. The final pieces are not meant to spark wonder within the viewer. Instead, the viewer wonders how they would have gone about the piece and perhaps how they would have done it differently. In this difference, conversation is made. Thus, art is made.
The same can be said of Ramirez’s works. Perhaps when making “Orange peels,” a different artist would have done one more layer of paint or gone a different direction with the brushstroke. The shoe laces in “Carpet Shoes” may have been strung differently if Engelstein had made the piece. The layout leaves questions for the artists and the audience, questions that do not always require an answer.
The pieces throughout “Do you really believe that?” do not scream out art. Many of the artworks simply look like placed objects, such as the folded map of the Sunset Strip in Edward Ruscha’s “Every Building on the Sunset Strip” and the projector lens collecting dust at the center of Casey Leone’s “Untitled (sweet).” It is the silent conversation of judgment and contemplation that creates artistic value. The purpose of the gallery is for audiences to take a moment and ask themselves “Do you really believe that?”
The exhibit will be featured in the UTSA Main Art Gallery until Feb 28. The gallery is open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
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Arts & Life
‘Nickel Boys’: Spirits of America
By Christopher Delgado Staff Writer Review
RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys” expanded its release to San Antonio on Jan. 23. The two-time Academy Award nominee, based on Colson Whitehead’s novel, follows the friendship of Ethan Herisse’s Elwood and Brandon Wilson’s Turner — two Black teenagers — as they endure an abusive Florida reform school in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement.
Ross frames the film as a ghost story by shooting in a first-person perspective. The viewpoint coupled with the 4:3 aspect ratio creates a sense of entrapment for the two protagonists as well as the audience. Emphasis is on the camera throughout the film. It pans constantly, often revealing details in close-ups or extreme close-ups.
Viewers experience the non-linear narrative through the eyes of Turner and Elwood across three distinct timelines: their time at Nickel Academy, 1988 and the early 2000s. The camera hovers throughout the academy, portraying the boys as phantoms while demonstrating the haunting effect of trauma. The narratives set post-Nickel Academy employ a third-person shooting style, as the camera attaches itself to the back of the protagonists, as if the lens is a shadow. Instead of being Turner and Elwood, the lens simply follows them like a phantom.
The ghost-like nature of the film becomes heightened in Ross’s use of diegetic sound, staying within the theater for much longer than the frame it existed in. Ross often uses diegetic sounds to create an atmosphere of comfort. The audience finally feels the sense they know where the film is going based on the screeching record of echoes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and suddenly an apparition of an alligator enters the frame — a motif from Jim Crow footage spliced throughout the film.
Throughout the film, the narrative is spliced with varied shots of archival footage and photos of Black communities during the Civil Rights era. The editing disorients the audience enough to create empathy for Elwood and Turner as their life has become uprooted and discombobulated. The found footage adds to the core theme of the film: Creating an official record is vital to developing a collective culture; without one, the individual becomes erased.
Ross’ adaptation of “Nickel Boys” remains a relentlessly heart-wrenching watch through and through. The movie’s cinematography combined with its brilliant sound design demands it be watched on a big screen, while its subject matter necessitates viewing with the community of a theater screen.
There is more man than wolf in ‘Wolf Man’
By Ezequiel Pena Staff Writer
The werewolf has been a staple of the horror genre for nearly as long as the genre has existed. It arguably becomes even more iconic with the image of an anthropomorphic wolf howling at the moon, used as a famous Halloween graphic. Despite this, very little has been done creatively to bring werewolves into modern, mainstream media in any form. Blumhouse’s “Wolf Man” is at the very least a step in the right direction. Director Leigh Wanell has been garnering a reputation as a creative mind able to breathe life into old cliches, modernizing them for audiences. Wanell has had a foot in the horror genre for a long time, writing for monumental franchises like “Saw” and “Insidious.” He has slowly shown his great strength as a director with fantastic features like 2018’s “Upgrade” and 2020’s “Invisible Man.” His latest entry, “Wolf Man,” shows his strengths are unlikely to change, but it interestingly makes his weaknesses more apparent.
The film thrives in the physiological aspects of its premise, where Christopher Abbott’s Blake takes his wife Charlotte, played by Julia Garner and daughter Ginger, played by Matilda Firth, on a summer getaway to Oregon to his childhood home. When plans go awry, the family finds themselves trapped in the rural home, meanwhile, a mysterious creature stalks from outside.
After the initial attack, Abbott’s character becomes infected, slowly turning into the monster that attacked prior. The way it affects him and his family is both tragic and disturbing in all the ways it should be. The directing is brilliant in its depiction of the wolf man’s powers and Blake losing his connection and love for his family.
The pacing of this film feels quite messy and slightly takes away from the experience. The design of the wolf man also leaves a lot to be desired. As it
succeeds in a new, grotesque and creepy look while paying homage to older designs, it also lacks a real monster-like edge that does not make it distinct to the film. If the design was shown out of context, many would not correctly guess that it is meant to be a werewolf, and that is a failure as far as design choices go.
While the directing is a huge strength of this creature feature, the acting is what makes this film for most audience members. Every actor in this film gives a believable performance and can make the writing stronger by their passion for their roles. Abbott in particular gives a performance that makes his tragic turn into the wolf man much sadder. There is not a second where he delivers a line and it feels inappropriate or fake. Garner and Firth also give great performances as Abbott’s wife and daughter, even if the writing of their characters feels slightly empty at times.
Unfortunately, one thing that moviegoers may notice when watching “Wolf Man” is the apparent fact that it is a film made with a cheaper budget. There are a few points in the film where the effects look wonky, and even the sets seem a bit cheap. Granted for what they were able to do with the practical effects of the creature design — as bad as it admittedly appeared some of the time, it was nonetheless impressive what the filmmakers did with it. But when there are films like “The Substance,” where it can be almost impossible to tell its budget from how well-made it was. There might be a problem or two when it comes to budget utilization, and it may look even cheaper than what they actually had.
“Wolf Man” is not an amazing film by any means, but its quality is definitely surprising for a movie released so early in the year. It has its weaknesses, but its strengths are notable enough for moviegoers and filmmakers alike. However, it is probably better to wait for it to go on streaming.
‘The
of being
Close
and quick, the perfect way to start the morning
By Meadow Riley Staff Writer
A mere 10 minutes away from UTSA’s Main Campus, a cozy coffee bar with a unique back story serves frequent customers and caffeine lovers. Thirty Grind Coffee Bar, located in the Paseo Residences at Eilan, makes it known it is all about natural coffee bean flavors combined with a modern atmosphere.
Brought to San Antonio on Nov. 10, 2023, Thirty Grind serves local customers a mix of coffee, matcha and tea. The shop operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., reopening on Saturdays from 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
This small shop has an intimate atmosphere. The dimly lit, and calm scenery, combined with bookshelves and fluorescent greenery give the interior a comfortable yet distinctive feel. Smiling workers greet customers with both a fixed and seasonal menu, giving customers the choice of picking a classic beverage or something new. With a very short wait, each drink is instantly enjoyable as one gets work done or relaxes in a peaceful environment. Upon speaking to one of the employees, Eden, it becomes apparent that this little shop is a co-owned business, with Natalie Nunez being the main founder. Eden
highlights that Nunez is in the shop at certain hours nearly every day to check-in.
“Often Natalie will come in just about every day, but other times it can be every other day,” Eden states. She also describes working there as a fast-paced but pleasurable experience, focusing on getting the drinks and treats out while taking orders at the same time.
“I would say it’s very busy constantly from the moment we open,” Eden mentioned. “It is very common to see regulars as well, some coming in every day.”
The vision Nunez had when creating this spot was to make coffee focused on authenticity. Eden adds that the baked goods sold in the display cases are delivered by a local San Antonio baker named Janet Allan. She mentions that Allan “makes frequent deliveries so the cases are always stocked with fresh items.” Allan bakes all her goodies from scratch and has a location where she sells them too, as well as custom orders. Her Instagram page is linked on Thirty Grind’s Instagram page for anyone wanting to commission her. Placed at 7803 La Cantera Terrace Suite 8123, this place is a no-miss when needing a coffee fix near campus. Delicious, decorative drinks with a strong, natural coffee flavor are the staple here at Thirty Grind, perfect for those needing something authentic to get through the day.
A ‘Perverts’ guide to Ethel Cain
By Lainey Pennock Contributor Review
Ethel Cain, who was predicted to become the new face of alt-indie, defied all expectations with her latest release, “Perverts.” Fully produced and mixed under her real name, Hayden Anhedönia, this album marks a deliberate step away from the Ethel Cain trilogy. Deeply influenced by her upbringing in a strict religious household, Anhedönia continues to explore the complexities of faith, guilt and rebellion in this album but takes it into a darker, more morbid territory than she has before. The result is a boundarypushing, beautiful piece of art, solidifying its place as a must-listen album of the year. Released on Jan. 8, “Perverts” has a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes, with nine tracks. It is certainly not a fun and easy album to listen to, with multiple tracks exceeding 10 minutes and being mostly instrumental, but it is still undeniably worth the listen. Unlike Anhedönia’s previous relatively digestible melodies, she presents this sound that is cold, bleak and magnificently haunting, simply as a form of art and experimentation.
“perverted” and being treated as such. The lead single, “Punish,” stands out as the album’s most traditionally melodic and popular track, but its themes are far from traditional. “Punish” shows the unsettling perspective of a pedophile struggling with the shame of his crimes. Another notable song in the album is “Pulldrone,” which consists of a beautifully worded speech describing and listing the twelve stages of Simulacrum. The album ends with the song “Amber Waves,” a slow and beautiful ballad depicting the experience of throwing one’s life away for drugs and the realization that the mortal body is bound by limitations and will never be able to get past the veil to God. It perfectly sums up the idea of “Perverts,” encapsulating the cyclical nature of the album’s themes and suggesting an endless loop of suffering and resignation.
The album opens with the title track, “Perverts.” This disturbing song starts off with a crunchy, VHSlike rendition of “Nearer My God To Thee,” followed by around 10 minutes of silence. This boldly establishes the album’s tone and central theme of disillusionment with religion, feeling
“Perverts” is nothing short of a masterpiece. It is clear Anhedönia wanted to create art with this release, and in that, she undeniably succeeded. Its bold, uncompromising exploration of pain, guilt and rebellion is both emotionally gripping and artistically daring. She asked her fans to go on a disturbing and challenging journey with this album. The question is, will you take the journey, or will this one leave you behind?
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Kara Lee/The Paisano Review
Karen Aston: UTSA’s knight in shining armour
By Bailey Hall Staff Writer
UTSA women’s basketball is on a 10-game winning streak this season after beating the University of Tulsa during Wednesday night’s game at the Convocation Center. This is the Roadrunners’ first double-digit winning streak since their 2007-08 season. The coach behind UTSA’s latest success is head coach Karen Aston.
Aston has been with the ‘Runners since 2021. Before joining UTSA, she coached at the University of Texas. Aston’s transition to UTSA says a lot about her passion and belief in the program, as supported by her choice to commit to a smaller school in the same university system. She led the Longhorns for eight seasons, guiding them to six NCAA tournament appearances.
Elyssa Coleman was a redshirt freshman in Aston’s last year coaching for Texas; she transferred to UTSA along with Aston.
Coleman went on to be the program’s all-time leader in blocks. She was also named to the 2022-23 Conference-USA All-Defensive Team. Coleman is now the director of operations for women’s basketball at UTSA.
Aston has been recognized as a top coach in the nation throughout her coaching career. In 2017, she was in the top four finalists for the Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year award as well as earning Big 12 Coach of the Year accolades.
UTSA currently sits at the top of the American Athletic Conference with an 8-0 conference record. The team has managed to obtain an average of 67.8 points per game and 17.1 turnovers.
In her three seasons at UTSA, Aston has a record of 38-57. The ‘Runners 201920 campaign yielded a 6-23 record, with their 2020-21 season being cut short due to Covid.
Since Aston joined, UTSA earned
its first ever postseason win against University of Northern Colorado. At the same time, the program made its debut at the National Invitation Tournament during the 2023-24 season and secured the most wins in a season since 2008-09 with an 18-15 record. The team finished fourth in the American Athletic Conference with a 10-8 record.
Aston is forming bonds within the team and bringing them to the next level. During the games, it’s easy to tell the players respect each other and work together as one. The team’s hard work and determination shine through both on and off the court.
“The biggest thing you can see in this group right now is the quiet confidence about themselves,” coach Karen Aston said. “We don’t get too rattled even when things aren’t going good.”
The three players helping lead UTSA right now are redshirt senior forward Jordyn Jenkins, junior guard Sidney Love
UTSA track and field: Producing Olympic talent
By Hannah Velasquez Staff Writer
In the summer of 2024, three UTSA athletes, two alumni and one transfer, competed in the Paris Olympics representing Australia and Italy. Out of all the athletes that compete in the Olympics, 65% are NCAA student athletes, with track and field being America’s top competed in sport.
Overall, there were over 100 former and current NCAA athletes comprising the 2024 U.S. track and field Olympic roster of 385. Team USA’s track and field were able to bring home 34 total medals, a mix of gold, silver and bronze.
UTSA has hosted five Olympians over the course of its athletic program: one trainer, one coach and three athletes. Track and field associate head coach Kareem StreeteThompson is a three-time Olympian and has coached the three athletes at UTSA. Thompson is in his eighth season with UTSA, helping coach the program to multiple NCAA and All-American conference participations and wins.
Alum Alanah Yukich competed for Australia and secured twentieth in the Women’s 400m hurdles. Alum Diego Pettorossi and transfer Fatoumata Kabo were both a part of the Italian National team. Pettorossi earned seventh in the Men’s 200m and despite not competing in the games, Kabo still fought her way to be a part of the team and hopes to compete in 2028.
UTSA has only had track and field
Olympians even though there are multiple other programs that have successful athletes. This may be because within track and field itself there are multiple different activities where athletes can hone in on their skills and better themselves rather than just one singular drill where everyone is fighting for visibility. UTSA has five coaches in its track and field/cross country department.
The colleges in Texas making the list of top schools that sent the most athletes to the 2024 Olympics are University of Texas, Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University. Colleges primarily send athletes to compete in track and field because the U.S. better accommodates the sport with training and focus structures. Again, there are numerous competitions in which studentathletes can choose to focus on, but their choices and opportunities depend on the programs colleges provide.
America prides itself on its Olympic accomplishments; track and field is where they have found the most success. Becoming UTSA’s three-of-five all-time Olympians is not an easy task. The achievements of these athletes show not only their determination but the strength of UTSA’s athletic program. These Roadrunners represent the pride of UTSA, and they stand as an example of what can be accomplished. With the hard work and determination of coaches and athletes producing the feats of Olympic runners, track and cross country is one of UTSA’s top shining sports.
and graduate student guard Nina De Leon Negron. Over Aston’s career, three of her players were drafted into the WNBA. Aston shows that good coaching and determination are everything, coming in and bringing the Roadrunners back to their glory days. UTSA has the mentality, hard work and talent to win it all this season. Although there are still 10 games left for
Men’s volleyball serving into action
By Alejandra Garza Staff Writer
The men’s club volleyball team at UTSA has created a community and space for men to express their love for the sport while building longlasting friendships and memories along the way. Men’s volleyball is an exhilarating sport to watch and compete in. The high-intensity environment is unmatched with every kill that hits the floor. Women’s volleyball differs from men’s as the height of the net is set at 2.24 m in women’s competitions and 2.43 m in men’s competitions. The strength and agility of the men’s team is recognizable as the game is more fast paced and more aggressive than women’s.
The mission behind the team is to allow men to play collegiate and competitive volleyball while learning the importance of teamwork, hard work and granting an opportunity to represent their university. UTSA does not offer a men’s team as an official part of the school’s athletic program, but the men’s club volleyball team — a student-run club team — surely brings the same level of energy.
“At UTSA men’s club volleyball, we just try to be very inclusive, having everybody come do something that they love to do or something new for them,” coach Sydnie Reece said.
“We just encourage them to try a new sport and be a part of a team.”
Maranello welcomes F1 legend home
By Marcela Montufar Soria Opinion Editor
“There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days,” Sir Lewis Hamilton said on his Instagram on Jan. 20 after a tour of Scuderia Ferrari’s facilities in Maranello, Italy. During his initial visit, Hamilton met with Ferrari staff and leadership, including CEO Benedetto Vigna and executive chairman John Elkann. He also got the chance to interact with his new Italian fanbase, the infamous Tifosi — Ferrari fanatics. “Lewis is Ferrari,” Elkann told Italian media, “It is as if he has always been with Ferrari.” Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari on Feb.1 2024, shocking the motorsport community after being the face of Mercedes AMG-Petronas F1 Team since 2013 and having won six of his seven world driver’s championships with the German team. After finishing his journey with them at the close of the 2024 season, he finally made his way into a Ferrari car last week.
Hamilton drove 30 test laps in Ferrari’s Fiorano track on Wednesday — a momentous occasion, which was live streamed by Sky Sports Italia and was accompanied
by dozens of fans gathered in the area to cheer him on.
“When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face,” Hamilton said of the occasion. “It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula 1 car.”
Hamilton debuted in F1 in 2007, he missed out on winning the championship as a rookie by one point and taking it the next year. As one of F1’s biggest figures, his move to the legendary team is under much scrutiny.
Ferrari has not won a championship, Constructors’ or Drivers’, since 2007, and Hamilton is not the first experienced world champion to join the team expecting to return the title to Maranello. Retired four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, currently a driver for Aston-Martin Aramco Formula One Team, both tried and failed to secure a title with Ferrari.
Hamilton himself has not won a championship since 2020, and he has only won two races since 2021. Both factors fuel detractors to besmirch his reputation and claim he no longer has what it takes to bring a title home.
“I think he’s lost an edge with age,” said F1 commentator and retired driver Martin Brundle. “Sometimes he gets in scuffles that he used to emerge out the front of, but
The team competes under the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF) which is a nonprofit corporation that supports the health, education and leadership of collegiate club women’s and men’s volleyball. The club team is striving to make it to nationals which happens Apr. 16 - Apr. 19 in Phoenix, AZ.
“I am excited about all the guys that are returning to the team and turned out to practice today and just to see what we are capable of this season and to compete in these games getting ready for nationals,” Reece added. Spring 2025 tryouts were held at the UTSA Recreation Center to determine the positions each person would play if granted a spot. The club is separated into an “A-team” and a “B-team.” A little over 30 participants competed — some returning players and some new. UTSA club sports are unassociated with the NCAA, so anyone is able to participate. As each individual began to arrive at tryouts, they were greeted with hugs from their former teammates, this showed a sense of family.
“The victories that you would get whenever you beat a rival — hands down one of the best memories you can have,” former libero Nico Trujillo said. UTSA men’s volleyball will officially begin their spring season in a tournament on Feb. 8 with the A-Team competing in Waco and B-Team in Denton.
he doesn’t now, or he’ll make a mistake in qualifying.”
Hamilton is the secondoldest driver in the F1 grid, having turned 40-years-old this January, but he remains steadfast in his commitment to win an eight championship and beat the all-time record he currently shares with Michael Schumacher – who won five of his titles with Ferrari. Brundle and the likes of him may think his wits are lessened and his skills rusty, but all Hamilton needed to get into contention for the World Driver’s Championship was a new coat of paint and a change of scenery.
The red Ferrari sporting the number 44 will be the one to watch in the upcoming 2025 season.
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UTSA steamrolls weekend opponents to expand winning streak
Ekua Youri paved the way as she took on Texas foes
By Haley Aguayo Sports Editor
UTSA women’s tennis took on two teams during its home opener over the weekend, beating Texas State University 4-1 and St. Mary’s University 6-1 at the UTSA Tennis Center on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
After dropping a point to Texas State (1-2) during their doubles matches, the ‘Runners (6-0) were left to rely on the skill and tactics of each individual player during their singles matchups on Saturday. However, there was a sense of security after they managed to secure a doubles point against the Rattlers (0-0), giving them an edge as they headed into singles on Sunday.
Junior Letizia Corsini and sophomore Vittoria Baccino conquered their I-35 rivals with ease, while junior Arina Babenko earned a match point after a long hard-fought battle as she secured the final point for UTSA.
Sophomore Ekua Youri proved to
be the highlight of the weekend during UTSA’s home opener.
Throughout both her doubles and singles matches, Youri came out on top. Despite a change in partners, Youri guided both her doubles teams in clean sweeps. She finished first in doubles alongside freshman Valeria Sanchez, sweeping the Bobcats 6-0, as well with Baccino, beating the Rattlers 6-0.
“I always have a lot of fun during doubles. It’s always a laugh when we’re on court together, always very entertaining,” Youri said of her time playing side-by-side with Baccino. “We always support each other, egging each other on, making sure we’re doing the best we can, [we’re] always pushing each other.”
The Botswana native dominated in her singles matches too. She finished her singles first on both Saturday and Sunday as she bested Texas State’s Callie Creath in two sets, 6-2 and 6-3, likewise against St. Mary’s Alessia Terlizzi, who she beat 6-2, 6-1.
“I’m always in a rush,” Youri said
about finishing first in doubles and singles against both teams. “No, no, I just try to play as aggressively as I can and it just so happens that the match finished quickly. I just tried to stand on business, do my job and just focus.”
Despite the match being an exhibition for St. Mary’s, these matchups were part of UTSA’s regular spring season, so the Roadrunners had to battle both teams and win to maintain their six-game winning streak.
“We’re definitely very confident. I think it’s good to win these matches before going on to the tougher ones, we have good team morale,” Youri said of the team’s 6-0 start.
“I wouldn’t do anything different. I think right now it’s working. If it doesn’t work for the next match, then I will try and adjust and change something,” Youri said regarding her work ethic as she gears up to prepare for her next match.
UTSA will take on Abilene Christian University at 11 a.m. Saturday at UTSA Tennis Center.
Roadrunners bounce back in home win over Owls
Efficient shooting earns UTSA its third conference win of the season
By Rylan Renteria Staff Writer
UTSA men’s basketball defeated Temple University 88-79 on Saturday at the Convocation Center.
After jumping out to a large first-period lead, the Roadrunners (9-10, 3-4 AAC) relied on a balanced offensive attack to keep the visiting Owls (12-8, 4-3 AAC) at bay. The ‘Runners had five players score at least 10 points and the disparity in percentage from beyond the arc propelled UTSA to victory; Temple shot 27.8% from three compared to the Roadrunners’ 56%. Coming off consecutive losses to conference opponents North Texas and UAB, the Roadrunners got back to playing complimentary basketball.
“This is a huge win,” coach Austin Claunch said. “We shared the ball. We had five guys in double figures. Just a gritty, tough win.”
After six minutes of play, UTSA led by 16 points. Spearheaded by senior guard Raekwon Horton, the Roadrunner offense was clicking, with four different players finding the basket in the scoring barrage. Horton scored 15 of his 20 total points in the first half, connecting from both inside the paint and from deep.
The Owls, however, refused to lie down and accept defeat, adjusting on the fly and trimming their deficit to just eight as both teams headed into the locker rooms. Despite having more
turnovers than UTSA in the first half, Temple capitalized off their opportunities at a higher rate. The Owls scored nine points off turnovers compared to the ‘Runners who only managed five and successfully outscored UTSA 26-18 in the waning minutes of the period.
“Give them credit. They made some adjustments and that’s what great basketball is all about,” Claunch said.
Temple carried its momentum into the second half, dropping their deficit down to just one point with a little over five minutes to play in the game. The Owls tied the game 74-74 with 3:55 left in the game after the Roadrunners sent Owls’ forward Steve Settle to the charity stripe.
UTSA closed out the match with senior guard Primo Spears and sophomore guard Marcus Millender combining for 12 points in the final three minutes of the game, six of which came off of steals.
“That was our best defensive effort in a while,” Claunch said.
Spears and Horton led the team in scoring with 20 points a piece. Senior forward Jonnivius Smith controlled the glass, finishing with 10 rebounds which would’ve led on either side of the court. UTSA earned 16 assists as a team in the win and now finds itself ninth in conference standings.
The Roadrunners will head east to face the Florida Atlantic University Owls at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.
Negron and Udo propel UTSA to tenth consecutive victory
Roadrunners sweep Vaqueros in home opener
Danijal
Muminovic finishes first in doubles and singles
By Haley Aguayo Sports Editor
UTSA men’s tennis team swept UTRGV 4-0 in its home opener at the UTSA Tennis Center on Saturday.
Following their first match and loss of the season at A&M, the Roadrunners (1-1) came in swinging at full force against the Vaqueros (0-3). The ‘Runners jumped ahead when senior Danijal Muminovic and freshman Enzo Vargas secured a win against UTRGV doubles team Paolo Bonaguro and Will Roberts. In total, UTSA won one doubles point and three singles points to bring home the win.
“I’m happy of how we played today. I’m glad all the guys fought even [in] doubles,” Muminovic said after he and Vargas finished first in their doubles match. “We won the first doubles point as well, so it’s kind of nice.”
With a second doubles win from freshman duo Oskar Grzegorzewski and Ben Chetewy Ungar, UTSA clinched its first doubles point of the season.
Going into this match, Grzegorzewski was the sole scorer for UTSA after winning his singles match at A&M, he also earned a second singles win, 6-4, 6-1, against Roberts. Freshman Santiago Flyckt beat Bonaguro 6-2, 6-1, to notch in an additional point for the Roadrunners. Muminovic not only won the first doubles match but he
went on to finish first in singles, quickly taking out his opponent, Ivo Isqueiro, 6-1, 6-4.
“First win of the season, first home win, that’s my first win of the season as well,” Muminovic said. “If I compare my match to my previous match, I’d say that I improved my game a little bit. I changed some strategies compared to my previous match, so I think it worked out.”
This win over the Vaqueros marked new head coach Sasha Gozun’s first of the season. Gozun was named as the head coach for UTSA last August after leaving Furman University and his post as associate head coach. This was Gozun’s first-ever win as a head coach.
“We got new coaches, that’s exciting. Sasha is [a] very nice coach. Sasha is a great addition to [the] team,” Muminovic said. “He’s like a refreshment for the players. He’s like family; he takes care of us individually as well, always asks if we need anything… I like him.”
Spanning nearly 22 years, the Roadrunners are 10-0 in their last 10 matchups against their longtime opponents and 27-2 all-time. The Vaqueros longest winning streak against the ‘Runners is one game, but they have yet to beat UTSA in San Antonio territory.
UTSA will take on the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks at 11 a.m. Sunday at the UTA Tennis Center.
Armin Suljovic/The Paisano
Rylan Renteria/The Paisano
Rylan Renteria/The Paisano