Vol. 66, Issue 5

By Jessica McLaren News Editor

Student voting to take place Oct. 25 and 26

UTSA athletics is proposing an increase to the mandatory athletics fee assessed to all students each semester. Students can vote on the proposed increase on a ballot copresented by Student Affairs and athletics on Oct. 25 and 26 via RowdyLink. If approved, the fee will increase by $1.50 per credit hour each year for five years starting in Spring 2024.

UTSA students currently pay a semesterly athletics fee of $20 per credit hour, capped at 12 credit hours, or $240. If the initiative passes, the fee will increase each academic year until 2027-28, reaching a total fee of $27.50 per credit hour and a maximum fee of $330.

“We’ve had the opportunity to speak to a lot of organizations about what athletics is doing well [and] what we need to improve,”

Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletics Director Dr. Lisa Campos said. “It was very clear that it’s not just about football, that students want us to [invest in] soccer, volleyball, golf [and] all the other programs.”

The athletics fee makes up

approximately 35% of the total athletics operating budget. The budget includes athletic scholarships, where “seven million dollars of the operating budget goes back to the institution through tuition and fees.”

According to Dr. Campos, the proposed fee increase would help build awareness around UTSA’s athletics program, promote university pride, add student worker positions and enhance the student experience of athletic events by providing more transportation and hosting celebrations, events and giveaways. The funding would also go towards supporting spirit groups like Rowdy Crew, UTSA Cheer, ROTC and UTSA’s Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band.

History of athletics fees

UTSA’s athletics fee was first established in 2004 after a student-led initiative proposed starting the fee to fund campus recreation, student services and athletics. It was approved by students with a 63% majority vote.

‘Runners have paid a semesterly fee of $20 per credit hour since 2011. The fee was gradually increased from $10 after

65.9% of students approved the proposal in 2007, which ultimately helped fund the addition of UTSA’s football program.

In 2018, the athletics department attempted to increase the fee and eliminate the 12-credit hour cap, but the campaign was unsuccessful. The proposed increase would have raised the fee by one dollar per credit hour in 2018-19 and another dollar in 2019-20. However, 76.7% of students rejected the measure. How to vote

Voting for the proposed fee increase will take place alongside the UTSA Spirit of the Roadrunner elections during homecoming week. Students can access the ballot from 8 a.m. Oct. 25 to 11:50 p.m. Oct. 26 by signing into rowdylink. utsa.edu.

There will be two informational sessions where students can learn more about the proposed fee increase from UTSA leadership, including Dr. Campos, president Taylor Eighmy and Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students LT Robinson.

The first session will be held at 5:30

SGA addresses tuition and budgets

By Kara Lee Graphic Editor

In last week’s General Assembly, the Student Government Association (SGA) brought guest speakers Associate Dean of Students Jessica Dawson, Athletic Director Dr. Lisa Campos and District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte on stage.

The main initiative of the night was to give insight into why UTSA has frozen its tuition rates and what that means for students. In exchange for the frozen tuition rates, UTSA athletics partnered with Student Affairs to announce a proposed increase in the mandatory athletics fee assessed to all students every semester.

The proposed increase could add an estimated half to $1 million to the budget, currently slated at $47 million.

Dr. Campos emphasized that the fee increase would bring more national visibility to UTSA, explaining how, on a national level, better sports teams bring more exposure to universities. “Seven out of the last nine years, the football champions played in the New Year’s six bowls,” she said. “Millions of people are watching and will go to recognize UTSA embracing the spirit.”

student fees covered 60% of our budget. So that means when we added football we added more revenue, donations and scholarships,” Dr. Campos said.

Dr. Campos also remarked she wants to make an investment in the classroom and career initiatives on campus. Before COVID-19, there were 100 student workers in the athletics departments but many were let go due to budget constraints. Next, the assembly welcomed Marc Whyte, a newly elected city councilman. Whyte remarked how elements of the assembly were similar to his job as a city councilman, adding that he is glad to see college students getting involved and learning from each other.

Courtesy of UTSASGA

After all the guests were done speaking, the board shared some events SGA will be having. This Thursday, Sept. 28, there will be a vaccine clinic from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Denman Ballroom (SU 2.01.28) for students who need a flu and COVID-19 shot.

p.m. on Oct. 3 in the Harris/Travis Rooms (HSU 2.202 and 2.212), located in the H-E-B Student Union on the Main Campus. The second session will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 12 in the La Villita Room, located in the Durango Building on the Downtown Campus.

Dr. Campos claimed that the last time the fee was increased, the addition of a football program opened a whole new door for UTSA athletics. Since then, football has allowed UTSA to generate more revenue and scholarships. “The [athletic] fee equates to about 35% of our overall operating budget. Before football,

SGA then moved on to discuss their proposed budget for Fall 2023 using an open forum approach. Interim Director Chantea Swinson-Rhoe heavily stressed the budget is subject to change. “[Budgets] are subject to change based on the needs and direction you do within your committees. So this will fluctuate based on what you do in your committees,” Swinson-Rhoe said.

The total proposed budget for the 2023-24 academic year is $47,173. See SGA on page 2

Dr. Campos presented the “Everyone Wins” campaign Thursday at the Student Government Association general assembly. Students can find more information and ask questions about the campaign at utsa. edu/everyonewins, where Dr. Campos will respond to student comments weekly.

UTSA freezes in-state tuition at 2021 rates

By Luna Infante Staff Writer

In the legislature’s efforts to reduce college education costs, UTSA has recently changed the annual tuition price. On Aug. 24, the University of Texas System Board of Regents voted at their board meeting to keep certain tuition fees at the same rates for the next two years. Since then, UTSA has frozen in-state costs for undergraduate students, including tuition and all academic fees. Under this umbrella are mandatory academic fees, academic-related general fees and class course fees for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. This decision will freeze UTSA’s tuition rate at its Fall 2021 rate.

UTSA’s tuition and fees are $4,495 per semester for undergraduate in-state students taking 12 credit hours per semester. This is the third lowest rate for research universities in the University of Texas System. Additionally, UTSA’s total financial aid and scholarship disbursement is esti-

mated to top $300 million.

Seventy-one percent of UTSA’s student population is eligible for need-based financial aid, and over 43% receive federal Pell grants. Pell grants are provided to students with greater financial need. Undergraduate students who receive no family contribution to their college costs have 90% or more of their tuition covered through financial aid, provided they submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the necessary deadlines and meet eligibility criteria. This year, rather than opening in October, FAFSA will be opening in December.

UTSA President Taylor Eighmy shares his enthusiasm in a UTSA press release: “I appreciate the Board’s action. As the cost of living rises across the nation and here in Texas, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide a top-quality education at an affordable price.”

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

“It was very clear that it’s not just about football, that students want us to [invest in] soccer, volleyball, golf [and] all the other programs.”

Athletics department proposes increase in athletics fee

UTSA rises 92 spaces in U.S. News rankings

By Amber Serio Staff Writer

This year’s list for the U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Colleges revealed that UTSA increased by 92 spots. According to UTSA Today, this is the most significant increase of all public universities and the second-most of all colleges and universities. UTSA now ranks No. 151 among all public universities nationwide. For the last 40 years, The Best Colleges rankings have served as a way high school students throughout the country can decipher where they want to go to college. Nearly 1,500 colleges and universities are included in the rankings, making the list a key resource for students seeking more information on why their potential college is worthy of attending.

This year’s lists provided changes in how the U.S. News decided the rankings, with a higher emphasis on social mobility and outcomes. Therefore, UTSA took the No. 58 and No. 47 spots for innovation and commitment to social mobility. This measure is determined by examining the graduation rates of economically disadvantaged students, which includes firstgeneration and Pell-Grant-awarded students.

“Over the last decade, we have worked strategically to become a Carnegie R1 institution, to be eligible for National Research University fund status here in Texas, to be recognized for our immense progress in student success measures, to become a Seal Certified institution from Excelencia in Education, and to showcase how our students benefit from a UTSA education as they enter the workforce with low debt and high economic and social mobility,” said President Taylor Eighmy.

With factors such as first-generation graduation rates and the proportion of college graduates

By Jessica McLaren News Editor

being prioritized for this year’s list, UTSA is receiving recognition for these accomplishments.

As a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), the university is also committed to providing students of all backgrounds with the utmost resources to excel educationally. With this level of recognition for their efforts to create a learning environment where all students feel accepted, UTSA is taking the necessary steps toward being a model for other HSIs.

Among other accomplishments, UTSA has also seen a decrease in the average time it takes for students to graduate. UTSA Today stated that “[This] means students are entering the workforce earlier and graduating with less debt. Financial aid and student success programs, which enable students to focus on degree completion, have been key to UTSA’s success in retaining and graduating students.”

For more information on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Colleges or to view the ranking list, visit us.news.com.

‘Peanut Butter Parking’ concludes with over 661 lbs of donations

Earlier this month, Campus Services collected over 661 pounds of peanut butter for the Whataburger Resource Room as part of its annual Peanut Butter Parking campaign. The campaign returned this year for the first time since 2019, allowing over 200 individuals to pay for parking citations received between Aug. 28 and Sept. 1 with a jar of peanut butter.

“All donations were delivered to the Whataburger Resource Room to support our Roadrunners and help reduce food insecurity on campus,” Clay Haverland, assistant vice president for Campus Services, said.

Haverland shared that creamy peanut butter was the favorite this year. “The donations were a mix of peanut butter payments for citations, as well as donations without citations,” he said.

Beyond the donations they collect through the Peanut Butter Parking campaign, Campus Services works with UTSA Dining to ensure that the Whataburger Resource Room has the resources it needs to support Roadrunners facing food insecurity.

“Each year, we donate meals to the Whataburger Resource Room’s meal share program, which

allows students in need to request up to 15 donated meals per semester,” Haverland said. “Last year, a total of 3,884 meals were donated to the program from Campus Services’ annual meal donation allotment, donations from the fall and spring Swipe Out Hunger campaigns and UTSA Dining’s pledge to match all Swipe Out Hunger donations.”

The Peanut Butter Parking campaign will return next fall, continuing on the schedule Campus Services established before the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the meantime, Campus Services encourages students to give back to the Roadrunner community in other ways, such as donating up to two unused meal “swipes” during the Swipe Out Hunger event in October, hosted by UTSA Dining and Campus Services. Throughout the month, UTSA Dining will match every donation to double its impact.

To learn more about the Peanut Butter Parking campaign, visit the Campus Services website at utsa.edu/campusservices/events/pbparking.html.

For more information on the Swipe Out Hunger event, visit utsa.edu/campusservices/dining/ swipe-out-hunger.html.

Fall 2023 commencement dates

By Marissa Silvas Contributor

Attention fall graduates: Commencement dates were recently announced for Fall 2023. This semester, two ceremonies will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9. While times are still to be determined, both commencement ceremonies will be held at the Alamodome.

Continuing with commencement festivities, Grad Fest is coming up this October. This event is to help students prepare for commencement while still celebrating the accomplishments made throughout their journey. This is where students will be able to order their cap and gown and regalia. Financial aid will be available to assist students with the best loan repayment strategies. In addition, this event is also looking to help grads con-

nect with the Career Center and learn more about the Alumni Association.

For the Main Campus, the event is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9 in the H-E-B Student Union Ballrooms. For grads at the downtown campus, Grad Fest will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10 in the Durango Building Riverwalk room.

Other commencement-related events that will be held this semester are the Roadrunner Walk and the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony.

For more information and questions regarding Fall 2023 commencement, head to the website at utsa.edu/ commencement/grads/ or email commencement@ utsa.edu

Continued SGA

Throughout the semester, $1,000 will be used for hosting SGA’s general assemblies, $3,086 will go to programming like elections, meet and greets and homecoming giveaways. $3,000 will be used for marketing materials such as printed graphics, photographers and promotional materials.

Another $5,500 will fund stipends for officers, chairs and directors and $1,000 will go towards senator supply costs like training materials and photos, although SGA noted that most of this went to the menstrual hygiene initiative. An additional $8,000

will be used to obtain supplies for programs from SGA directors and chairs. Finally, $4,000 will go toward general organization resources including meetings hosted by the UT Systems, professional development and all of the smaller elements that help SGA run. The proposed allocations for the fall semester total $25,586, although they are subject to change.

SGA’s next general assembly will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 in the Harris and Travis Room (HSU 2.202 and 2.212) located in the H-E-B Student Union and is open to all UTSA students.

State of the City Week of 9/26/23

By Amber Serio Staff Writer

Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay upto-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 spooky car wash to San Antonio approving its largest city budget in history.

San Antonio City Council approves $3.7 billion budget

The San Antonio City Council approved the city’s largest budget in history on Thursday. The budget will be over $3.7 billion with $20 million coming from unexpected revenue from CPS Energy. Since these funds were not anticipated, the final days of discussing the budget centered on what the extra $20 million would be allocated to.

The council decided on 25 amendments that provide funding for different items such as a mental health team known as SA CORE, a reproductive justice fund and a storefront for Animal Care Services spay and neutering. The city will also see an increase in police officers, fire department personnel and first responders for dangerous animal incidents. The 2024 city budget will take effect Oct. 1.

Spooky San Antonio car wash to reopen

Local San Antonio car wash Super Sudz will be transforming into a haunted tunnel on select weekends in October. Located at 6780 Bandera Road, the haunted car wash will be available from 6 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and until 10 p.m. on Sundays. Services include the SuperSudz $23 wash, an air freshener and a $10 coupon for the customer’s next visit. Super Sudz urges its customers to come and enjoy a scary good clean.

San Antonio International Airport secures first nonstop route to Europe

Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced at a news conference for the Aviation Department that San Antonio is launching its first-ever nonstop airline route to Europe. The route will be provided by a German airline called Condor, which will provide its service from San Antonio to Frankfurt, Germany. The route will be seasonal and will begin next year from May 17 to Sept. 6. The city of San Antonio hopes this will establish San Antonio as a desirable travel destination for Europeans.

SAISD proposes closing 19 schools

SAISD is proposing to close one-fifth of its schools in order to ensure that teachers and students within the district are reaching their highest educational potential. After their most recent meeting, SAISD staff presented a proposal that would entail 19 school closures and a smaller set of mergers and expansions for the next board vote Nov. 13.

If the board chooses to implement the proposal, 14 elementary schools, four early childhood centers and a pre-K-through-eighth-grade dual language academy will be shut down by next fall. Although SAISD is being met with concern and disapproval from parents and students, the district hopes that the closures will only expand the availability of academic programs.

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

HCAP holds ‘Career Bridge’ for students

By Kaitlyn J. Grace Staff Writer

The College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP) will be holding a Career Bridge on select Tuesdays until November to give students an advantage in interviews, resume building, job searching and more. Each workshop will be held in the HCAP Student Success Center (MS 2.02.36), located in the Multidisciplinary Studies breezeway.

After graduation, students are expected to begin searching for a career that they love. To help students prepare for entering the workforce, each event will go over a different topic, such as resume building and how to use the job searching website Handshake.

The first event will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday and will teach students how to use Handshake, a site that helps college students find jobs.

See the full description of each event at paisano-online.com

Mohitha Ravikumar/The

Genevieve Vega/The Paisano

The peanut butter stash in the Whataburger Resource Room, located in the Student Union (SU 1.04.06).

Does UTSA over-prioritize athletics?

Athletics fee increase proposed, essential campus services remain insufficient

On Sept. 21, UTSA athletics unveiled their proposal for an increase to the athletics fee at the SGA general assembly. According to The Paisano, “If the initiative passes, the fee will increase each academic year until 2027-28, reaching a total fee of $27.50 per credit hour and a maximum fee of $330.”

This would be a $90 increase for students taking twelve credit hours or more and would add an estimated $1 million to UTSA athletics’ yearly budget.

Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletics Director Dr. Lisa Campos spoke on the fee increase, emphasizing that the extra funds would not only be allocated to football but to other sports programs as well as spirit organizations. The fee would also help promote the UTSA brand as it transitions into the American Athletic Conference and help improve students’ experiences during athletic events.

This fee increase comes at a time when Roadrunners

are faced with issues concerning essential campus services. Many students have reported having trouble connecting to AirRowdy while on campus, a problem that has persisted since 2018 according to The Paisano.

Our failing grid: Texas needs to act NOW

Commentary

By Andrew Dotson Staff Writer

As a record-breaking heatwave has ripped through Texas, it has also had a drastic effect on the independent power grid that runs our state. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has asked residents state-wide to conserve over eight times in the past month. Past malfunctions from the Texas energy grid have left many people wondering: is the state power grid ready for a harsh winter?

The grid’s readiness does not appear promising as we have seen temperatures climb year after year and the climate changing even more so as the years pass. The winter storm in 2021, named Uri, killed 210 people, according to the Comptroller’s Office, and we narrowly avoided a catastrophic failure that would have seen a total blackout state-wide.

In addition, supply chains, which were already in turmoil because of the COVID-19 pandemic, suffered more disruption due to Winter Storm Uri. This setback affected Texas chemical plants, which make up nearly 75% of U.S. chemical production and contribute to manufacturing ingredients necessary for disinfectants, plastic bottles, fertilizers, pesticides and packaging. The freezing temperatures and blackouts damaged equipment in those plants, further slowing supply lines.

Chemical, plastic and rubber exports — accounting for almost 17% of Texas exports during

the three months prior to the winter storm — saw their inflation-adjusted value decrease by more than 20% in Feb. 2021. Additionally, supply chains stumbled because goods could not be transported by truck or rail in such dire weather conditions.

All of this can be partly attributed to the earliermentioned independence of our grid. According to the Comptroller’s Office, Texas has a unique place as “the only state in the continental United States that is not substantially interconnected with either the Eastern Interconnection or the Western Interconnection.” That means that we have no backups or support for when our grid has an unusually increased load, as shown in a report that ERCOT paid Riot, a Bitcoin miner, $31.7 million in taxpayer funds to lessen the stress on the grid.

As of current, there are worries of controlled blackouts during the fall season, when it should be cooler and less humid than in the summer, meaning that there is doubt about ERCOT being able to maintain the grid once winter hits. The good news is that action taken by the PUC forced generators to be weatherized by Dec. 1, 2021. However, not much else has reportedly been done yet.

As winter approaches, many question if their access to electricity will be interrupted. For too long, Texans have settled for a power grid that works for profit and not one that works for the good of the state. It is time that ERCOT acts for the people and is 100% transparent to ensure the safety of those they service and connect to the eastern/ western interconnections to ensure adequate backups are available.

Do away with the debt ceiling

Commentary

By Shanie Spinler

Contributor

Before World War I, the U.S. Congress would individually pass each case in which the government issued debt. In 1917, the debt ceiling was created, giving the government a limit on how much debt it was allowed to accumulate. Congress has voted to raise this ceiling 78 times since 1960, each time being when it was practically reached.

In June of this year, President Joe Biden passed the debt ceiling deal which suspends the ceiling until the first quarter of 2025. Neglecting to face this problem head-on, we need to entirely abolish the debt ceiling.

We nearly experienced a government shutdown in May because the House could not agree on how to change the debt ceiling. As stated in US News, the House Republicans voted to pass a bill to raise the ceiling but make budget cuts in welfare payments such as social security, while the House Democrats wanted to raise the limit unconditionally.

If we reach the ceiling and can no longer pay our debts, we will have to default on our debts, putting our economic credibility at stake. According to the White House, this means the value of the dollar would take a nosedive, stocks would fall and the

federal government would struggle to provide payments to the citizens who require it. Overall, the standard of living would plummet.

Dissolving the debt ceiling takes the U.S. out of risk for constant government shutdowns and eliminates certain future conflicts between parties. To keep its debt under control, rather than making budget cuts to decrease welfare spending, the government needs to focus on reforming its progressive tax. With this reform, Congress will have an influx of money that can be used to both keep debts restrained and continue giving welfare benefits. Raising the debt limit only increases taxes on the working class because of how the government taxes its citizens and how the rich accumulate their wealth. Tax reform is crucial, along with ending the debt ceiling for the sake of working-class America — the people this country relies on.

The aftermath of reaching the debt limit is so much more gruesome than getting rid of it. As a country, we fear this limit and what will happen if we surpass it, but we cannot seem to get on the same page for what to do as we come close to it. Abolishing the debt ceiling is easily one of the most simple solutions as we approach future economic crises.

Additionally, while announcing their proposed budget for the 2023-2024 school year, SGA noted that they would purchase menstrual product vending machines for on-campus bathrooms due to a lack of existing funding for the service.

While the importance of athletics to UTSA cannot be ignored, why should students be asked to pay more towards the program’s funding when campus services essential to students’ academic success and well-being are lacking? UTSA is first and foremost a university, and it has a responsibility to ensure that students are provided with the tools and resources necessary to learn successfully. As Roadrunners, we must ensure that we voice our concerns and vote accordingly to promote the academic success of every student at UTSA.

Students can access the ballot measure for the Athletics Fee Increase from 8 a.m. Oct. 25 to 11:50 p.m. Oct. 26 on rowdylink.utsa.edu.

Stephen Saenz/The Paisano

Minimum wage is overated

Commentary

By Naydine De La Fuente Staff Writer

“How are students expected to go to school full-time, work and be able to afford a stress-free standard of living when occupations nowadays pay less than a living wage?”

Read at paisano-online.com

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OPINION

UTSA fights for affordability

By Abraham Roman Staff Writer

UTSA has frozen all resident undergraduate academic costs, including tuition, mandatory academic fees, all academic-related general fees and college course fees, for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years. This move was made possible by the Texas Legislature’s $700 million investment in higher education affordability and the University of Texas System Board of Regents voting to enact the motion to maintain certain tuition and

fees at current levels for the next two years.

UTSA is home to a plethora of aid programs designed to combat the adversity caused by the lack of affordability, the frozen tuition only adds to the list.

Qualifying UTSA students can obtain aid through programs like FAFSA, the Pell Grant and UTSA’s Bold Promise Program. According to UTSA Today, 71% of UTSA students are eligible for need-based financial aid, and this year’s total aid and scholarship disbursement is estimated to top $300 million.

A slip in time: End child labor

Commentary

By Happy Acevedo Contributor

This move is a total win for both UTSA and its students. UTSA continues to be an amazing, affordable option for higher education, with its previously listed aid programs being a considerable draw factor for students planning on attending higher education. Higher education is one of the greatest contributing factors toward upward social mobility, and affordability continues to be one of the greatest obstacles to higher education attendance. This barrier also only continues to grow. According to the U.S.

The Paisano

Editorial Board

Read at paisano-online.com

The dark side of OnlyFans

Commentary

By Luna Infante Staff Writer

You may be familiar with the platform OnlyFans and the typical content that it features. However, you are likely unaware of the dangers it surfaces and how similar platforms feed into a dark, well-concealed criminal act ––human trafficking.

Human trafficking is defined as “a crime involving the exploitation of a person for labor, services, or commercial sex.” OnlyFans is a platform where individuals can publish exclusive content at a price. Creators can post photos, videos, audio, live streams and written content. The platform is best known for containing sexual content. Creators are free to post pornography for their subscribers; this is what OnlyFans is best known for. With the widespread consumption of pornography, the platform’s popularity comes as no surprise.

Pornography is vastly popular among young Americans. 85% of men and 50% of women between the ages of 18 and 30 in the U.S. watch pornography at least once a month. Pornography is a $97 billion industry, and many creators benefit from these numbers, including sex workers and other online personalities. However, most people are unaware of the connection between pornography and human trafficking. Within

the billions this industry makes worldwide, at least $3 billion comes from child pornography.

Since human trafficking and pornography are considered industries, they too have a supply-demand relationship. Viewers of pornography create the demand for sex trafficking, while sex trafficking produces the supply.

Victims of sex trafficking are often coerced, groomed or abused into performing sexual acts. Traffickers will often prey on young, vulnerable individuals. These vulnerabilities include financial need, discrimination issues, substance abuse, unstable housing or immigration status.

Once they are coerced or forced into sexual acts, pornography often plays some sort of role.

80% of sex work survivors report that their customers showed them pornography as an example of what sexual acts they wanted them to perform.

Additionally, thousands of victims are being forced to make pornography. These victims are trapped in this cycle for various reasons, oftentimes mental, emotional or physical abuse. Abusers often threaten and shame victims, keep identification documents from them or physically harm them.

On OnlyFans alone, it is easy to access child abuse content.

A U.S. senior investigator was reported to have found 10 child abuse images in one

News and World Report, adjusted for inflation, in-state tuition and fees at public National Universities have grown about 56% over the past two decades. Despite its shortcomings, such as issues with internet connectivity and communication with staff, this move cements UTSA as a quality school that truly cares about student’s ability to continue attending at an affordable rate.

Therise of misogyny

Commentary

By Carley Martin Staff Writer

With the internet being commonplace in our modern world, there is no avoiding the wonders and dangers of social media. While there is no arguing that there are many benefits to using social media, the downsides cannot be overlooked. Alt-right misogynistic influencers such as internet personalities Andrew Tate and Sneako have been dominating the internet as of late. Their social media platforms consist of misogynistic talking points and advice to men on how to approach and treat women.

Sneako, also known as Niko Kenn De Balinthazy, recently came under fire after a video of him with young fans circulated on the internet. The young boys who appeared to be about twelve, said things like “f—k the women” and “all gays should die.” Sneako seemed visibly surprised and later took to his social media accounts to defend his fans saying they were joking and to “blame the rainbow flags in their classrooms. Blame the media for emasculating men. It’s your fault for forcing an obvious agenda.”

Unsurprisingly, this is not the only proof that young boys consuming this kind of content

hour on various platforms, all originating from OnlyFans. Most of the children in these photos were around 12 years old, with the youngest child being around five.

Additionally, in a report made by the Avery Center, 6% of OnlyFans survey respondents admitted to their traffickers helping them create and market their OnlyFans content. 53% of the surveyed also believe that OnlyFans does not do “enough screening of content creators and subscribers during the site registration process,” while 28% said it was “very obvious when a trafficker was managing a victim’s account on OnlyFans.”

Although it may be easier to tell when someone is being managed on an OnlyFans account, oftentimes it is not as obvious on other platforms. It is crucial to be aware of how online platforms can contribute

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are dangerously radicalizing them. An anonymous secondary school teacher wrote an article for Pink News describing their experiences with Tate’s influence on the boys in their school. Students reportedly catcalled and verbally harassed their female teachers as well as criticized their male teachers for wearing pink.

While this behavior is disturbing, it is only the tip of the iceberg. If these kids keep being exposed to this kind of misogynistic, homophobic and transphobic rhetoric, the problem will escalate. These boys are already calling for all gays to be killed; what happens when they see a man wearing a skirt? What happens when these boys grow up into men with wives and positions of power?

The answer is simple. There is going to be an increase in the level of violence directed at women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Parents need to be monitoring their children’s internet activity and have conversations with their children about why this type of behavior is wrong. Furthermore, these kinds of influencers need to be completely stripped of their platforms so that they cannot indoctrinate any more kids with their dangerous, hateful rhetoric.

to the problem of human trafficking, and it is especially important to take responsibility for the role society plays.

It is impossible to identify what is consensual behind the

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The Editorial is the official opinion of The Paisano editorial board. Commentaries are the opinion of the individual writer.

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scenes and what happens once the cameras are off. Before subscribing to platforms like these or carelessly watching any kind of pornography, take into account what might be happening on the other side. It is best to stray from platforms like these, as they are feeding into a dark industry that takes place behind closed doors.

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“Instead of passing laws to put children in the workforce, our governments should focus on regaining adults in the workforce by paying them fairly and treating them right.”

“It is crucial to be aware of how online platforms can contribute to the problem of human trafficking, and it is especially important to take responsibility for the role society plays.”

arts & life

Reviews

By Ray Rodriguez Contributor

This summer has felt like watching the death and rebirth of the blockbuster film. Alongside the avalanche of money-pit disasters that large distributors churn out by the bucketload, a few great films snuck through, and some were even successful. Let us look back on the roller coaster of quality that was the summer of 2023 in film, and see what we find are the best and the worst the season had to offer.

The five worst films of the summer

5. “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”

No franchise is safe from corporate reanimation, and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” is concrete proof that most classic franchises need to be kept dormant. Not even Steven Spielberg himself could capture the magic of his original trilogy when he attempted a fourth film. Dull filmmaking accompanied by uncanny Disney+ “Star Wars”-esque de-aging assures that James Mangold would fail just as hard, if not harder.

4. “Gran Turismo”

Neil Blomkamp, director of the critically acclaimed scifi film “District 9,” returns after a string of critical failures to bring the biggest black hole of entertainment of the year. “Gran Turismo” may not be the worst film to pollute theater screens this year, but it may just be the dullest.

3. “The Little Mermaid”

Disney once again reappropriates your childhood into an ugly, uncanny nightmare of soulless CGI-centric filmmaking. If you want to see a film in which someone mimes interactions with dead-eyed realistic-looking fish underneath what looks like the Hudson River, then boy do

By Bria Collins Contributor

Sometimes the comfort of home can be difficult to obtain while studying at the JPL, but oftentimes we cannot go home due to distractions. According to Edutopia, 80% to 95% of students practice procrastination, which means we are likely to watch TV, play video games or even begin to clean despite knowing there is an essay due in a few days. It is a good thing that in San Antonio there is a study cafe known for delectable coffee that actively tries to create a comfortable and productive environment with their diverse space. Ambassadors Coffee is a Christianowned local business that opened on Jan. 27.

The owner, Gabriel Zurita, moved to San Antonio from Florida. He has a background in business, photography and graphic design. However, opening Ambassadors Coffee came with its own set of challenges, especially since he had a love-hate relationship with business in the past.

This is a project Zurita felt he was meant to take on during his walk with Christ. “I was in a growing period and experienced a lot of growth within my faith as well as business and I feel like God positioned me to be where I am now,” he said. He believes the coffee shop’s mission “is to represent something bigger than ourselves to bring

By Chloe Williams Managing Editor

I have the movie for you.

2. “The Flash”

While I do not agree with many who proclaim “The Flash” to be one of the worst films of all time, it very well may be the ugliest. The Flash had a production budget of $200 million dollars, and every single frame of the film will leave you screaming “Where on Earth did all the money go?” This movie is emblematic of the current studio problem of pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into every major release and expecting every film to make a billion dollars. It is no surprise that Warner Bros. is currently bleeding money.

1. “Sound of Freedom”

At best, “Sound of Freedom” is an exploitative white savior story, and at worst, a sinister QAnon propaganda piece that manipulates the real-life suffering of innumerable victims of human trafficking. “Sound of Freedom” is the worst of the worst in filmmaking. Do not watch this film, and definitely do not fall prey to its scam of buying extra tickets to inflate box office numbers. The five best films of the summer

5. “Barbie”

“Barbie” is one of the few films that attempts to please every possible film-goer and succeeds, in no part thanks to the beautiful production design and sharp writing from writer and director Greta Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach. It is simply the best possible outcome for studio filmmaking. “Barbie” pleases all and the filmmaker’s vision is perfectly realized.

4. “Guardians of the Galaxy 3”

This movie is the first and likely the last great Marvel film. “Guardians of the Galaxy 3” is a perfect blockbuster,

Christ and coffee

attention away from us and toward something else, and that something is Christ.”

They even hint at their Christian faith in their logo. Zurita said, “It’s a black and white coffee cup with a crown,” and its “edges aligned to show we’re called to be ambassadors and our alignment with the Kingdom.” He went on to share, “There are three prongs at the top that represent God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Everything poured into this cup must first go through the crown, which shows it leads the cup.” Also through his work, he hopes to promote peace and unity despite differences in beliefs. Ambassador Coffee strives to be a place where everyone is welcome, and Zurita wants to “provide normalcy to something so convoluted.”

According to Assistant Manager Jackson Sergeant, Zurita and the staff open their doors with the intent to show “God’s love through good food, drinks and amazing service so customers may experience a place of rest.” Yet, the positive atmosphere is not just based on the lounge area in the backroom or the studious desk arrangement at the entrance, but it is the Ambassadors Coffee staff who are patient, gentle and kind that set the bar for phenomenal customer service. Upon entering, they will greet you with kind hellos. After you order, they are quick to bring your coffee to you topped with foam art.

When it comes to the menu at Ambassadors, there are many items to choose from, with the most popular

taking the audience on a journey in which they will laugh, cry and hang off the edge of their seats in excitement. James Gunn has perfected his style, and I cannot wait to see what he does with his upcoming “Superman” film.

3.“Asteroid City”

I will admit to generally disliking most of Wes Anderson’s work, but “Asteroid City” blew me away. This self-loathing story within a story meta-narrative has several layers to unpack, and buried within is what may be Anderson’s most personal and devastating film yet. Come for the charming pastel landscapes and stay for the depressing lamentations of a man who can only feel through pictures.

2. “Past Lives”

“Past Lives” is a beautiful film. A towering achievement in consistently making the audience look back on their lives and ask, “What if?” Celine Song’s directorial debut is an emotional rollercoaster and a triumph in melancholy romance. In time, this film will be ranked with the likes of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “In the Mood For Love” as some of the greatest, most painful romance films.

1. “Oppenheimer”

From another filmmaker whom I was not previously a fan of, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” stands tall as the best film of the summer, and maybe the best of the decade. “Oppenheimer” delivers soul-crushing intimacy and spectacle in equal measures. What the entire cast and crew have accomplished in this 180-minute monolith is a truly monumental achievement. “Oppenheimer” is a must-see. Chances are, you probably have and if that is the case, see it again.

drink on the menu being “Das Machine.” Sergeant sees why people love to order the iconic beverage, and notes that “It provides a lot of caffeine and balances out with agave.” The owner’s favorites include matcha imported from Japan, which is served in a cappuccino cup with a bit of vanilla. Zurita claims “It’s not sweet, but flavorful,” which makes for a delicious drink while students study. Another staff-recommended drink is a “cortado with vanilla because the espresso is covered in milk.” Sergeant also has a passionate opinion on the drinks. He highly recommends trying “a cold brew with or without foam [for] a great kickstart in energy. If you’re not a caffeine person, try tea mixed with a refresher.”

The main thing Zurita wants to deliver his customers is a “palette to be refreshed physically and spiritually. And that they’d hunger for something more whether that’s the coffee or experience.” He wishes to express his hope that many people will find out the truth for themselves.

“There is no time wasted and if you look intentionally you will find [what] you are looking for whether that disappoints you or fulfills you,” Zurita said.

So keep going, keep learning and keep studying. Next time while searching for a peaceful place to do school work, consider this local Christian-owned coffee shop. Grab a latte, get comfortable and experience what Ambassadors Coffee truly is. To learn more, take a look at their website: https://ambassadorscoffee.com/.

5 free ways to prepare for the workforce

College tuition is ridiculously expensive. Even with the freeze on tuition recently announced, the 2022-23 cost of attendance for a student living on campus comes out to a substantial $27,752. While financial aid can be helpful for many students, it may not cover all the costs of attending. This is where scholarships come in. Keep reading to explore different websites to get more cash back in your pocket.

1. UTSA Scholarship Hub

An obvious but important source for scholarships is UTSA’s Scholarship Hub. This website allows you to see recommended scholarships that you fit the criteria for and others with various price ranges.

2. Niche Niche is somewhat of a go-to for college information and resources. The scholarship part of the popular website features various scholarships across states

and requirements. Niche offers a lot of no-essay, norequirement scholarships with amounts reaching over $25,000.

Some are specific to schools while others are more general.

4. SmartScholar

SmartScholar is super user-friendly and provides handy statistics for every scholarship with information on the competition, effort level and requirements. The website also allows filtering by major, ethnicity, sports and character.

5. CareerOneStop

Promoted by the Federal Student Aid Department, this website provides different awards. Their requirements and the due dates are easily organized. You can also filter by state, type, affiliation, gender and education level. An important thing to remember when applying for scholarships is that you might not get the first one, or the second. Just keep applying and trying. To maximize your time, you could also find different scholarships with similar prompts and apply to them, that way you can reuse essays or short answer prompts. Winning a scholarship could be monumental for struggling students or those looking for some extra cash.

3. Scholarships.com Scholarships.com allows for directory by state and listed scholarships have various amounts and due dates.

SA Gems

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

Arts & Life

One city, eight photographers

2023, with each of the eight photographers shooting an entire roll of film that captured a single day in their lives.

Upon entrance, the locally adored shop crafted an incomparably pleasant environment, contrasting with the world just behind their front door. A row of displays extended across the wall, each illuminated by golden lights hanging from wooden posts and fixtures, drawing guests into each photo.

By Sarah Lemos Contributor

On Sept. 22, San Antonio’s Indy Coffee Club held a photography exhibition taking inspiration from Rick Smolan’s “A Day in the Life of America,” featuring the works of San Antonio natives varying from hobbyist to professional. The project took place from August 20-31,

In a club called Kooky: Chapter 2

By Nicholas Kingman Staff Writer

About 48 hours ago I was in Oklahoma City at The Bunker Club sitting at the bar top waiting for my partner to walk in. I was in dire need of his assistance on this grand opportunity I had for him. I gave him specific instructions to meet me here at 3 p.m. Like clockwork, he came in just as the hour hand turned to three.

He wore a poker face as he walked, his eyes scanned right to left and locked in on me at the countertop. He smiled and sat down next to me and picked up his drink that I ordered beforehand.

“Thanks for the drink, Jack. Say, how’s life at the newspaper?” My partner asked.

“Really, that question, you know I hate talking about work.” My partner laughed.

“Yeah, I know. That’s why I asked.”

“Well it’s lackadaisical, the sports editor has been on me recently for turning in assignments late. Minor league baseball really makes the heart skip.”

“Show some spirit. Maybe you can impress some bigwigs in LA and become a Dodgers reporter.”

“I’m afraid I’m regulated to the Oklahoma sports world for the foreseeable future. How about we play some pool and talk some more?”

“Sure,” my partner said.

Pool and golf aren’t games you play casually or for fun. They are social games that test the will of you and your opponent. Businessmen use golf as a tactic to see if they want to do business with this potential partner. They can see if this person will cheat and steal behind your back.

Pool is a harder game to cheat in my experience; it’s very black and white. Either you’re good or you’re not. But this is a good test of confidence and pressure. If they are a good player, you can see if they are humble or gloating and if they are bad, you can see how they recover with the mess of their performance. You can bring up topics at a pool table that you wouldn’t otherwise dare bring up in an intimate setting. Your opponent is focused on the game, not on the conversation.

The crisp sound of cracking whisked around the bar. My partner was a superior billiards player but I could still hold my own. Enough to keep his competitive spirit focused on the game.

“When was the last time you got out of that sterile

“I think film is coming back,” photographer Lynn Cano said. Her arrangement features a downtown cityscape, local food and murals. Cano, along with the other seven photographers, is a regular at Indy and was interested in capturing a tangible account of a typical day in her life, believing that physicality adds to importance. The rich colors and hidden familiarities in each of her photos highlight the simple beauties of the city and the appreciation she holds as a resident. Many of the photographs in the exhibition share this same quality of simplicity, from Vito Cantu’s photo of a Culebra Meat Market to Jillian Huskin’s streetview shot. The subjects that each photographer chose to capture are reflective of what San Antonio’s citizens feel makes their city home.

office of yours?” I asked.

My partner’s eyes were intently looking at the solids.

“Uh, don’t know. Been a while, that’s for sure.”

“Can’t you work from home? Some lawyers don’t need to go to the office all the time.”

My partner moved back and applied some more chalk to his left hand, looking up at me. I knew he was puzzled at what I was going to suggest to him. I was sure of it.

“Jake we aren’t in college anymore, we can’t just leave on a whip like we used to.”

“What if I told you all expenses were paid, say you didn’t have to worry about a thing? I have it all planned out.”

“I don’t know, last time I agreed to something like that you brought me to some hostel that didn’t exist in Monterey junior year.”

He was right, my history of planning trips is suspect. The Monterrey trip was a major scar on my record and he had the right to be weary. In the past, I preferred to plan on a whim, but we are both big boys now. But two years time is more than enough to gain maturity and experience. Obviously, my partner didn’t think this concept could be applied to me.

“Don’t be like that, I’ve changed. I just need you to accompany me to Las Vegas this weekend. I’m being sent out to cover the minor league baseball game out there.”

“Why didn’t you ask me earlier? I really don’t think I can take off at such short notice.”

“I just found out this morning, say to your boss that an uncle of yours in Vegas died and the funeral is Sunday. He won’t ask for a death certificate for proof.”

“Jake, I can’t lie like that. What if my actual uncle dies and I have to actually take off for real? I can’t lie that blatantly.”

“Blow it out of you. You get paid to lie every day you put on that suit.”

“Don’t get too crude over there.”

“Fine, let’s finish this game, pay the tab and I’ll let you think about it for a couple of hours. I’ll call you at eight to see what you decide.”

After the tight-throated conversation, I walked over to the bar and ordered two more Jack and Cokes. The game was passion filled, master class, if I was the judge of it. Ultimately, my partner came out on top when he sunk three of his balls in a highly calculated play. He offered to pay for his drinks but I refused. I thought maybe this little courtesy would sway his mind later. Time was ticking and I exhausted my resources in convincing him. The decision was up to him and only him.

To read previous chapters, visit paisano-online.com.

Code Red: TV Girl kicks off tour at the Aztec Theatre

Not only do the photographs celebrate the city of San Antonio, they represent a group with a shared appreciation for reality and disapproval of the superficial. When speaking with photographer Caleb Saenz, he expressed that photography “feels like something tangible in a world that’s losing a lot of, well, tangible things.” His statement acted as a consensus among the crowd, calling attention to the purpose of many of the contributors when creating their displays; that purpose being to further appreciate authenticity and to accept what cannot be altered.

“On social media, everything feels packaged, filtered, and with these photos, the filter is the film, so there’s this patience woven into it that you just don’t have with your iPhone,” Saenz said. Fittingly, the primary photo in his collection features what is presumably his son in unaltered, candid play.

The sense of community and genuine appreciation among every person in attendance at “A Day in the Life in San Antonio” was instrumental to the creation of such a fitting space for the exhibition. Eight artists in a small coffee shop gathered a bustling and chattering crowd, full of praise for one another.

“It’s a great community, I don’t think it’s exclusive, it’s inclusive for everybody,,” Abby Gonzales said. She was eager to put forth her personal experience with photography, shown through her vivid photos of a local highway, a tennis court and even the produce aisle in an H-E-B. While speaking with Gonzales, she shared that she bonded with her partner through taking photos, and it became even more apparent how unifying the art can be. The exhibit as a whole could not have been created without this sense of community among a group so unique, all with a shared gratitude for the beautiful city of San Antonio.

Featured photographers included Abby Gonzales, Adolfo Acosta, Amanda Gallegos, Caleb Saenz, Eddie Fernandez, Jillian Huskin, Lynn Cano and Vito Cantu.

to date

Reviews

By Malaki Lingg Web Editor

Spoiler Warning: This article will discuss spoilers about “Talk to Me.”

“Talk to Me” was directed by twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou, and serves as their directorial debut. They are known for their co-hosted YouTube channel, RackaRacka. Their channel gained popularity from comedy sketches and skits, especially ones including a parody of Ronald McDonald.

While “Talk to Me” serves as their A24 directorial debut, the brothers previously dabbled in horror themes on their channel. But, of course, in a somewhat comedic way. YouTube videos like “Ronald McDonald Playground Slaughter!” are a perfect example of what led them to create a film like “Talk to Me.” As the name implies, they created a “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” like parody where Ronald McDonald gorily attacks children in an indoor playground.

The film’s plot follows a mysterious, paranormal ceramic hand. The hand is used as a party game of sorts, reminiscent of paranormal flicks involving Ouija boards. When the hand is grasped and the phrase “talk to me” is said, a spirit will present itself only to the one playing. Following this, saying “I let you in” will allow the spirit to temporarily take control of the host’s body and communicate through them. During this, the person playing is strapped down and a timer is set. If you go over the time, there is a chance the spirit will try to fully take control of the host’s physical body. While the paranormal game concept is not new — with games like “Ouija” and “Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board” — it elevates the concept, making it more exciting. It is interesting to see how only one person can see or feel the spiritual presence until they allow it to possess them, and how each character doubts that the game is real until they participate in it themselves.

Of course, like all good horror movies, this experience goes wrong. During a kickback, one of the younger characters, Riley, is allowed a chance to play the game. During his experience, he is seemingly possessed by the main character Mia’s mother — who had died one year prior to when the film takes place. Mia keeps him possessed over the normal allotted time, and soon things quickly go wrong.

Sarah Lemos/The Paisano

Sarah Lemos/The Paisano

Sarah Lemos/The Paisano

Armin Suljovic/The Paisano

Arte de San Antonio

Stephen Saenz/The Paisano

UTSA drops second-straight game, falls to No. 23 Tennessee

Roadrunners go 1-3 through the first month of the season

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

KNOXVILLE – UTSA football closed out its nonconference schedule, losing 45-14 to No. 23 Tennessee on Saturday evening at Neyland Stadium.

The Roadrunners (1-3) totaled 319 total yards of offense and allowed 512 total yards to the Volunteers (3-1).

Eddie Lee Marburger got the start at quarterback for UTSA in place of the injured Harris, though did not play the game in its entirety.

After trailing 31-0 at halftime, UTSA made a change at quarterback to start the third quarter, replacing Marburger with redshirt freshman Owen McCown. McCown led the Roadrunners to their longest drive of the game, running 15 plays which took nearly seven and a half minutes off of the clock. The redshirt freshman connected with receiver Joshua Cephus four times on the drive, including a 3-yard touchdown pass to put UTSA on the board.

On their next possession, McCowen found Tykee Ogle-Kellogg for a short pass. After shaking off a defender, OgleKellogg turned the short gain into a 43yard touchdown to pull UTSA within

three scores.

“I wasn’t surprised, he does that all the time,” UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said of McCown’s debut. “We just couldn’t protect him or Eddie very well. We just thought we could’ve held up a little bit better up front.”

The Volunteers responded with a 1-yard touchdown rush from Small and a 41-yarder from Dylan Sampson to cap off the 45-14 victory.

The Volunteer defense forced four sacks on the UTSA quarterback while also rushing for 303 yards in Saturday evening’s loss. The Volunteers outrushed the ‘Runners by 215 yards.

“The biggest thing for us is that we got out to a slow start,” UTSA safety Rashad Wisdom said.

The first half went as rough as UTSA could have imagined.

On the first play of the game, Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III faked a handoff and ran up the left sideline for an 81-yard touchdown run. The Volunteers scored again on their next possession, this time a 9-play drive ending in a 10-yard touchdown rush from Sampson.

The Roadrunners put together their

A sport worth support

By Haley Aguayo Staff Writer

Behind the main campus on UTSA’s very own rec fields is where you can find hookers, tackling and scrums all in one place and that’s with UTSA rugby.

UTSA rugby is not affiliated with the NCAA or the American Athletic Conference, they are club teams open to all UTSA students. Players pay fees to help fund purchasing jerseys and equipment, while the coaches volunteer their time to teach students rugby basics and the importance of working as a team.

This fall, both the men’s and women’s teams are playing rugby 15s. This means that each team will have 15 people on the field at the same time competing to put the ball behind their opponents’ line, known as the in-goal area.

Just like in American football, the ball can be passed from player to player or even poached by a player from the opposite team. However, one of the ways rugby differs from football is when the ball is passed to another player, it has to be handed off to a teammate that is behind them rather than thrown to one that is in front of them.

This factor alone gave reason for volunteer coach Peter Lewis to run a drill that involved a lot of running and sprinting.

“You’re only as fast as the slowest guy,” Lewis said.

longest drive of the first half after Kelechi Nwachuku recovered a muffed punt from Tennessee. The Volunteers blocked UTSA’s punt which was recovered by Tennessee’s Cameron Seldon. Seldon then lost control of the ball and was recovered by Nwachuku on the UTSA’s 45-yard line. The ‘Runner’s drive came to a close after Marburger’s end zone pass to Houston Thomas fell incomplete on fourth down.

Volunteers running back Jabari Small rushed up the middle for a 40-yard gain to set up an 18-yard touchdown pass from Milton III to Kaleb Webb. Milton III threw for his second touchdown off a deep-right 48-yard pass to Ramel Keyton in the end zone. Kicker Charles Campbell added a 29yard field goal to give Tennessee the 31-0 lead at the half.

Despite the tough loss and disappointing start for the first month of the season, Traylor is confident in the remainder of the season.

Athlete of the week: Mia Soerensen

By Elizabeth Hope Contributor

Volleyball transfer Mia Soerensen has not always been the volleyball star we know. The opposite hitter played a variety of different sports growing up, such as track and field and swimming, but none of them stuck. This was until her eighth grade year when she started playing volleyball.

Soerensen credits her role models and coaches for her work ethic. The people she looked up to pushed her to reach new heights and inspired her to pursue her volleyball career.

Mia grew up in the small town of Meadville, Pennsylvania. She says she learned to appreciate the small-town community during her senior year of high school while working at a local coffee shop and getting to know everyone personally.

“Seeing the same faces and the regulars was something really special to me, so I really value a small-town community.”

Sorensen’s college recruitment process was different than what she thought it was going to be. While getting recruited, COVID-19 was at its peak and affected everything. She says she thinks she made her college decision prematurely compared to how she would have without the pandemic going on.

“Obviously everything happens for a reason,” Soerensen said. “I’m glad I decided on what I did and I’m also really happy with the choices I made that led up to coming here.”

Before transferring to UTSA, Soerensen attended Kent State. She chose the university mostly because of

the campus scenery and its neuroscience program. Soerensen has good memories from her freshman year.

“My experience with the team was amazing, they are such great people,” Soerensen said. “I miss them all, but you have to do what is always going to be better for you and your mental health.”

Although Soerensen enjoyed Kent State, she ultimately decided to transfer to UTSA after her freshman year.

long, so it’s definitely a route I would be considering.”

Soerensen would love for her volleyball career to keep evolving, but she is keeping all doors open. Neuroscience is not a common degree path for most people, but Soerensen has an encouraging story that sparked her love for neuroscience. Her story shows you to take whatever life throws at you and roll with it.

“When I was in fifth grade, I had a really bad concussion. So, I would see a neurologist pretty often, just to make sure that I was fine,” Soerensen said. “I had such a great doctor and just seeing how caring and helpful she was to me during the process of recovery, I think that was my moment of inspiration in life where I was like, ‘I want to be like her’.”

Soerensen is very thankful for the opportunity she had to pursue volleyball. She recalls her grandmother speaking about her youth and describing how she did not have the same opportunities.

The men line up on the practice field and take off, one after the other, passing the ball to a teammate behind them who sprints when he receives the ball. During a real game if you are the one carrying the ball then you are the one that is set to get tackled. The purpose of sprinting drills is to practice keeping up with your teammates as you attempt to carry the ball through enemy lines.

Brendan Bennett plays center for the men’s team, which he said “is basically like the running back for rugby.” Bennett spends most of practice outrunning everyone he is put up against. He notes that his position more often works to assist and does not usually make plays to score.

“Usually you’re starting the breaks, but you pass out to the wing, and they’re the ones that finish in score. Two weeks ago when we played Texas State, I picked up a fumble and I ran 95 yards to score. I stepped into the endzone staring at my defenders and that felt really good because we [dislike] Texas State,” Bennett said.

While the men practice speed, the women practice strength. During practices, the women usually practice scrums and tackling.

Eight-man Valerie Garza for the women’s team said that they were working on pods for the game. “We’re going to work on pods probably a lot today because pods are a big part of 15s.” Pods are a type of offensive group attack in rugby. After all, there is strength in numbers.

“You have two pods on the field, someone’s on one edge, ones on the other. That’s mainly a forwards position and the forwards will work a lot together, they’ll do mainly a lot of the tackling, and a lot of getting the ball and then passing it out. So we’ll work on that today because that’s probably the biggest thing that they’re confused on is getting up on the field. Once they get going, a lot of the girls are really fluent with it,” Garza said.

Tiffany Hunter plays the position of nine-man on the women’s team. “A nine is just like a ball carrier, kind of like a quarterback,” Hunter said.

Hunter feels that rugby is a great place to not only build your strengths but learn your strengths as well. Hunter wants recruits “To learn how strong they are, because I feel like a lot of women’s sports don’t really utilize that sort of down-and-dirty tackling. So I feel like you can learn your new limits and really get to test your strength and your mental strength.

“I chose UTSA because of the coaching staff and I really clicked with the girls,” Soerensen said. “I could tell that they were cultivating a really positive culture and that’s one thing I really wanted to be a part of.”

Sorensen’s skills range from volleyball to being an aspiring neurologist. She loves both fields, but is willing to take whichever opportunity comes her way in the future.

“I would love to pursue volleyball further. If that’s an option I’m totally going to follow that. You only have your youth and your healthy body for so

“I think it’s really special to be a woman in sports,” Soerensen said. “Growing up, my grandmother would always tell me, ‘You’re so lucky, I didn’t get to experience this.’ They would not let the girls participate in sports. I’ve always been really grateful and lucky for everything that I had and I could do, including Title IX in college and making sure that women are treated fairly.”

Soerensen is excited for the remainder of the volleyball season.

“I’m looking forward to just continuing playing for my team,” Soerensen said.

“I just love every single one of them so much and I’m so happy to be here. As well as competing in a new conference, that’s really exciting to me.”

Jonathan Porter/The Paisano

Kylar Royer/The Paisano