October 23, 2008 by UTRGV Student Media

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SINCE 1943

Volume 65, No. 9

October 23, 2008

T STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Comedian cracks up Student Union crowd By Kristen Cabrera THE PAN AMERICAN Dana Orr a 19-year-old from Edinburg, was laughing so hard throughout comedian Greg Behrendt’s sketch Tuesday night, she was snorting. “He was so hilarious!” Orr said. Cindy Mata, assistant director of programming for the Student Union, helped bring Behrendt to The University of Texas-Pan American. She said she receives e-mails from

agents about various performers, and schedules presentations with the students in mind. “In Greg’s case we got the e-mail in June that he was touring and around that time the movie (“He’s Just Not That Into You”) was set to come out this Friday the 24th,” Mata said. “So we booked him with that intention that it was going to be tied in with the movie opening, but unfortunately the release date got pushed back.” Behrendt started his career as a

comedian in 1994 after he tried being an athlete and finding out that it wasn’t for him. He ended up writing for the popular television show “Sex and The City,” on HBO. He co-wrote the book “He’s Just Not That Into You,” which is being produced into a movie starring big names such as Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Long. It will be released in February 2009. Immediately when Behrendt stepped on the stage Tuesday he had

the audience continuously laughing. More than 200 students attended the event, with the audience composed mainly of females, something that Behrendt commented on. “I think because I wrote a book for women there were a lot of women that were here, which was cool. But I think a lot of dudes would have liked to have been here because my comedy’s for everybody,” said Behrendt. “Yeah, I’m not positive I actually would have come and done the show had I seen

the poster, as cute as it is.” Behrendt could understand why not many males showed up to his show. The picture that was used to promote his visit featured him holding stuffed animals against a pink background. Irving Tapia, 19-year-old communication major from McAllen, agreed that the ad could have pushed males away. “I really didn’t think it was for me

SEE BEHRENDT || PAGE 11

T NATIONAL

Noriega visits UTPA, gains young supporters By Brian Silva THE PAN AMERICAN

J.R. Ortega/THE PAN AMERICAN

STUDENT “UNION” - Democratic Senate candidate Rick Noriega visits with students to relay his message on the importance of voting Tuesday during activity hour.

T STATE

Weaving through students from the Student Union Building to the Library, Senate candidate Rick Noriega asked people for their vote and gave each of them a brief introduction to his policies Tuesday. The former state representative from Houston gave a 40-minute impromptu visit to the campus after having held a news conference at the Hidalgo County Courthouse, where the Democrat received several endorsements from current and former local politicians, including District 40 State Rep. Aaron Pena, DEdinburg. On the first leg of the trip, in the Union cafeteria, Noriega stopped at a table where Samantha Weide, a mar-

keting major, was sitting with her friends having lunch. After learning it was her birthday, Noriega pulled a dollar out of his pocket and used a “Vote for Noriega” button to pin the dollar to the shoulder of her blouse. “He told us we should vote for him because we need him as a U.S. Senator,” Weide said. Noriega also told the group they, students, are the ones who are going to make change in this election. Noriega is pitted against Republican incumbent John Cornyn, who’s running for a second term. The challenger is behind in the polls, with 44 percent compared to Texas’ junior senator, according to a Research 2000 poll conducted Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 surveying 600 likely voters. Noriega circled around the room,

SEE NORIEGA || PAGE 11

T BUSINESS

GPA changes to affect high school students By Abigail Muniz THE PAN AMERICAN High school students across the state may soon have to think twice about what classes they are taking and how these choices apply to their grade-point average. In August, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board met to discuss plans to change the way high

INDEX

school GPAs are calculated. They are now considering a recommendation to not award extra points toward a student’s record for taking pre-Advanced Placement, pre-International Baccalaureate and honors classes. At the moment, Texas schools set their own rules when it comes to calculating a student’s score and they usually award extra points to pre-AP,

SEE GPA || PAGE 11

OPINION

PG.

Center promotes profitable victory By J.R. Ortega THE PAN AMERICAN The Southwest Border Nonprofit Resource Center, under The University of Texas-Pan American’s division of community engagement, announced it will go mobile in January 2009, touring the Rio Grande Valley to provide outreach services to nonprofit organizations in several South Texas communities. The decision comes after the SBNRC mulled for several months

NEWS

PG.

whether to augment the on-campus center with a newer, itinerant version. The mobile van unit, according to SBNRC Interim Director Michael Uhrbrock, has been used in the past as a “mobile go center” to encourage high school students to attend college and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The mobile unit can accommodate 10 to 12 workstations with Internet capable laptops and a flat-screen TV for presentations. Uhrbrock said the “mobile go cen-

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PG.

ter” will offer information in areas such as funding, management, grant proposal writing and other strategies used to help nonprofit work at full potential. “We’re trying to get services out to the community,” said Uhrbrock about the SBNRC, which began in 1997. “We will provide training in different types of areas.” Uhrbrock said in order to complete the task next semester; the center is working closely with faculty and

SEE MOBILE || PAGE 11

SPORTS

PG.

UTPA Generations: The Series Watch for Bronc history lessons intermittently throughout the semester Aug. 25 - Introduction Sept. 4 - ‘20s & ‘30s Sept. 25 - ‘40s & ‘50s

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October 23, 2008

THE PAN AMERICAN

T LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Clarification of facts

After having read the PanAmerican’s leading article titled: “Enrollment climbs, more classrooms needed,” I felt inclined to write a commentary. The fact is that yes, enrollment has increased at the University of TexasPan American, but it has not been significant for the past several years to necessitate a dramatic overhaul of classroom assignments. Between the academic years of 2006 and 2007, for example, our university added only 98 students. Not too long ago, the Texas Higher Education Board asked every school to conduct projections on expected total enrollment by 2015. The goals set by UT-Pan American for that target date is 22,000 students, including enrolling a target rate of 19,052 students. Based on the 2007-2008 Academic Year, the University is behind those goals, even for its 2010 benchmark. Arguably, however, a good amount of higher education institutions are also suffering from the same problems. For 2007, it was nearly 21% (or 4,565 students) behind its

V 65, No. 9

2015 target of overall enrollment and 20% (or 4,011) students behind in its 2015 target of enrolling Hispanic students (the majority ethnic student group in our area). Therefore, the lack of classroom space may be attributed, not to the increase of students per se, but because of the addition of classes among various disciplines and hiring of new faculty. This causes a “thinning” of the classroom size (for lack of a better term) in which the studentto-faculty ratio is decreased. Accordingly, the University must find additional space to accommodate students. So, while enrollment has remained relatively stagnant, educational quality increases by the addition of new studies and faculty. However, this is a good indicator of expansion of educational quality and opportunity for students in this regard. Tony Matamoros Student, Political History

Science

Oct. 23, 2008

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 EDITOR IN CHIEF J.R. Ortega / ortega.e.jr@gmail.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Abigail Muniz / abby.muniz@yahoo.com MANAGING EDITOR Brian Silva / brian.silva2@gmail.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ana Villaurrutia / parker687@hotmail.com A&E EDITOR Laura Garcia / laurad500@hotmail.com ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR Isaac Garcia / izek_el@yahoo.com SPORTS EDITORS Ramiro Paez / ramiropaez@aol.com Gregorio Garza / the_nataku@yahoo.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Roxy Solis / roxysolis34@yahoo.com DESIGN EDITOR Roy Bazan / rbazanzz@yahoo.com COPY EDITOR Adriana Acosta / acostaa@hotmail.com

ADVISER

Dr. Greg Selber --- selberg@utpa.edu SECRETARY

Anita Reyes --- areyes18@utpa.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER Samantha Quintana --- spubs@utpa.edu

**Delivery** Thursday at noon The Pan American is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or university.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@gmail.com. Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format or needing assistance to attend any event listed can contact The Pan American for more details.

Oct. 16 - ‘60s & ‘70s Nov. 6 - ‘80s & ‘90s Dec. 3 - 2000 & Beyond

T ILLUSTRATED OPINION

Who knew voting for Change was such hard work?!

Illustration - Anthony Salinas

T OPINION

Responsibility for red road rules Brian Silva MANAGING EDITOR

Those rules unspoken are the rules society most adheres to. Alongside the unspoken rules society adheres to are also the written ones, which we’re forced to abide by. But, as of late, I’ve noticed that both are at times harshly infracted upon in and around the UTPA community. The other night I was sitting at a stoplight. About 5 to 6 seconds before the light had changed from yellow to red. An older brown car in the intersecting road began to pull out as their light was green. There was a slight tug of my car as a white Volvo with a Tamulipas license plate breezily drove through the intersection, gliding around the older brown car in its way. A quarter mile ahead the same incident occurred. There was a flash in my mind of Final Destination. Why a person would blatantly ignore a law of safety is beyond my capability of thinking. Perhaps the driver was under the influence, or maybe the driver wasn’t paying atten-

tion. However, as is the most likely into each other, resulting in a maiming case, the driver probably just didn’t or death. give a fuck, since there wasn’t a hard In Kindergarten, we learn the simbrake or swerve of the Volvo. ple meanings; green means go, yellow Vehicles tapping their brakes as means yield and red means stop. As a they drive past a stop sign isn’t too society, this rule is partially unspoken. uncommon of a sight either around It’s accepted that no one breaks this here. By no rule, because breaking it means do I means putting your life in have a stick “All, from here and from danger. up my ass other places should respect As individuals in a about rules society we break rules all this community’s spoken and the time; we drink under and regulations, but unspoken rules.” age, we smoke marijuawhen it na, and do other stuff that comes to my we perceive as ‘not that life I’m just a little protective. bad.’ Death doesn’t even come to our If we don’t brush up on our driving mind when we do those things. skills we may see some red light camHowever, death is of a high probaeras pop up around the area. Coming bility when we risk driving through a from a city that has red light cameras red light. We all know this, and this at what seems like every intersection, fact resides in the back of our minds. it’s not that fun when you get a ticket The fear of death prevents us from in the mail because your tail end driving on through. caught a red light. If not the fear of death, then it’s just If we didn’t have red lights we’d all common sense to stop. All, from here be bumping into each other, at the and from other places, should respect very least. However, on the harsher this communities spoken and unspoend of the spectrum we’d be crashing ken rules.

T CORRECTION It has come to the attention of The Pan American that a mistake was made in the Issue No. 8, Oct. 16 edition of The Pan American last week. In the story headlined “Vice president named after national search,” incorrect information was presented about

the history of the Division of External Affairs. When the Division of External Affairs split it divided into two separate divisions; the Division of University Advancement and Division of Community Engagement.

The Division of University Advancement is lead by Executive Director Lydia Aleman. On Nov. 1 Janice Odom will take over for Aleman. The Division of Community Engagement has no Exective Director.

Dates to Know:

October 23, 2008

Early Voting

Go Vote Rally

Monday to Oct. 31 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. UTPA Library

Tuesday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chapel Lawn Page 3

THE PAN AMERICAN

T CAMPUS

Bronc TV, Radio transitions onto Web site By Janette Soliz THE PAN AMERICAN On Friday chips, punch and a cake shaped like a radio helped commemorate Bronc Radio/TV’s transition into the online world with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Bronc TV/Radio now provides a radio and newscast on the Internet. Bronc Radio/TV, an idea set forth by College of Arts and Humanities

Dean Dahlia Guerra and professor Peter Dabrowski, first started off as an experiment according to Fred Mann, professor and adviser for Bronc TV/Radio. Students began the project in a broadcast writing class taught by Mann. “Dr. Dabrowski called me about doing a newscast for KMBH,” he said. “I decided to use my broadcast writing class because this would be a perfect

“real world” use of what they were Mann said he has always been learning.” motivated to broadB r o n c “I hate to sound cliché, but cast news on the Radio/TV staffers we are the new kids on the Internet and get stugave thanks to dents involved. block.” Mann and the “It’s huge, now College of Arts it’s time to deliver,” and Humanities, Fred Mann he said about the Bronc TV/Radio adviser both whom have new venture. “I’m supported the really proud and dream to create for the first time ever I’ve always said, you’re only as good a student-run broadcast team. as your last newscast.”

The new and improved Web site will cover radio, TV, sports and music, according to Mann. Mann said he recently visited KTSW station at Texas State University and noticed UTPA broadcast journalism is behind, but within a couple of years can become very competitive. “We are behind,” he explained. “I hate to sound cliché, but we are the

SEE BROADCAST || PAGE 12

T ACADEMICS

‘Gates’ opened for Valley high school By Ana Villaurrutia THE PAN AMERICAN HIDALGO - Bill Gates and Melinda Gates surprised Hidalgo Early College High School students, faculty and several members of the press on Wednesday. The Microsoft founder along with his wife Melinda have helped support and develop Hidalgo ECHS since 2005 through their Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They announced their satisfaction for the school and its efforts in a press conference at the library. “We’ve learned a lot about how this community has come together, and I think everybody in the community should feel good about the investment and opportunity it’s created,” said Bill Gates. The foundation awarded a $1.2 million grant over the last four years

to The University of Texas-Pan American, the high school’s post-secondary partner. Hidalgo ECHS received $800,000 of that grant. With a 94 percent graduation rate, Hidalgo ECHS students are encouraged to take concurrent enrollment with UTPA and South Texas College. “We’re looking for leadership, we’re looking for those places where the superintendent and principal says ‘yes we believe in all students,’” said Greg Shaw, director of advocacy and policy for the foundation. “We believe every student is ready to go on to college.” The foundation has invested $2 billion into educational programs like Early College High Schools, which offer college level courses to low income and minority schools throughout the United States. “Two-thirds of the jobs, the high-

SEE GATES || PAGE 12

Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

FINDING A SOLUTION - Maria Cantu (left), junior at Hidalgo Early College High School, listens as Bill and Melinda Gates ask questions about her experiences in an Advanced Placement course.

T FINANCIAL

Snack prices melt in your hand, not in your mouth By Ana Villaurrutia THE PAN AMERICAN Just when gas prices were moving in The University of Texas-Pan American students’ favor, their midday sugar fix has now been threatened. While students became more wary during the summer about fuel costs reaching $4 a gallon, snack vending machines have risen to near a dollar for candies and pastries. That’s what senior biology major Naomi Santillan said she thought when she first discovered the fee for treats had increased. For example, candy bars went from 70 cents to 95

cents last week. areas caused the company to increase “It goes up slowly but sooner or the price of machine items. later we’re going to be paying $2 for a “Gas went really high (last sumbag of chips,” said mer), I hadn’t noticed and I realthe Mission native as she struggled to “Gas went really high (last ized we were losing said find the correct summer), I hadn’t realized money,” amount of change we were losing money.” Cardenas. “I said, for Corn Nuts. “It we got to do something, we were loshurts the student.” Jimmy Cardenas The effects of vending distributor ing 25 cents a bag.” Cardenas’ dilemrising gas prices Lance and Tom are now seen in ma is echoed across vending machines the country as prodacross campus. Jimmy Cardenas, uct prices are currently on the rise. Lance and Tom’s vending machine He said that chocolate companies distributor, said rising costs in other also wanted him to raise the price of

their products to a dollar. But Cardenas maintained the reason he raised the prices was to survive from the gas boom last summer. “We have to pay for the commission, pay workmen’s comp, we’re fully insured, I have to make sure we have enough money,” Cardenas explained. “Seventy cents was cheaper then and everywhere everyone else was hesitating to raise prices, but it was hurting us.” Leticia Benavides, director of auxiliary services at UTPA, handles vending machines, copiers and laundry machines across campus and said the rise in snacks and beverages were

expected. “It’s not a sudden rise really,” said Benavides “It does translate to a guaranteed amount.” UTPA gets a 25 percent commission and earns $250,000 a year from the machines. Benavides said there has not been a price increase since 2002. But now candies have gone up 36 percent and pastries 27 percent. VARIED REACTIONS Though students may feel shafted by the rising snack prices, some students are not minding it.

SEE SNACKS || PAGE 12

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October 23, 2008

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October 23, 2008

Dates to Know:

October 23, 2008

Rock Out Cancer Marathon

1st Weird Fest

Saturday 6 p.m. to midnight UTPA track and field

Sunday 5 p.m. Cine El Rey Page 7

THE PAN AMERICAN

T INTERNATIONAL

Film series exposes students to French culture By Marco Carbajal THE PAN AMERICAN For decades, deep in the heart of France, mazes of romantic cobblestone streets have lured crowds into countless cinemas where the French feed their insatiable appetite for film. Now, thanks to a grant from The Tournées Film Festival, the RGV has its own chance to feast on delectable French film fare. The festival, which runs Oct. 9 through Dec. 4, was brought to the Valley in part by The Tournées Film Festival on behalf of UTPA and STC’s Foreign Film Association, and will feature eight films by well-known, new-wave French directors. The films are subtitled and most will be screened at Cine El Rey, located at 311 South 17th St. Two of the films, “Chats Perchés” (The Case of the Grinning Cat) and “L’ Avocat de la Terreur” (Terror’s Advocate), will be featured at the Student Union. The Tournées, which translates to “touring,” was conceived to encourage schools to begin their own selfsustaining such film festivals. Since its inception, the program has partnered with hundreds of universities making it possible for more than 300,000 students to discover Frenchlanguage films. The festival distributes approximately $180,000 in grants annually. The grants are made possible with support from the French American

Cultural Exchange the French Embassy, the French Ministry of Culture and many others. Earlier this year, UTPA professors Dr. David Anshen and Dr. Carla Calarge, who are co-chairing the event, applied for and were chosen to receive The Tournées Film Festival grant. “It is very competitive,” said Calarge, assistant professor of French and co-chair of the festival. “We were very happy to receive the grant and we plan on applying again next year.” The Foreign Film Association, comprised of faculty members from UTPA, STC and members of the community, has brought international films to the Valley for years. “With funding from the film grant, the modern languages and literature department and STC, we decided to show the five films from Tournées along with films the Foreign Film Association is screening at Cine El Rey,” Calarge said. Calarge, an Edinburg resident since she arrived at UTPA in 2006, stated that being exposed to different cultures can be both fun and eye opening. “When you see things out of your own environment, you start questioning your world,” she noted. “You get exposed to something different and sometimes you want to learn more. This is so different from Hollywood. It expands your horizons.” Many agree and are excited at the chance to see films that won’t be

showcased anywhere else. “It’s really cool to not only get to experience a story from another culture, but to actually see how they’re put together technically from a film standpoint,” said Monica Quintanilla, 26, a 2005 theatre/TV/film alum of UTPA. Some of the films chosen for the event include: the historical drama “Notre Musique,” the romance “Coeurs” (Private Fears in Public Places), the drama “L’Ivresse Du Povoir” (Comedy of Power) and the biographical docu-drama “L’ Avocat de la Terreur” (Terror’s Advocate). Historically, new-wave films tend to mainly deal with the human experience and are usually shot on the streets instead of in actual studios. Visually, the scenes seem to be disconnected, as though one were watching a series of snapshots rather than a clean narrative. The effect is often strange but aesthetically beautiful. “I love the new-wave French films,” said Donnie Alvarado, 35, a former UTPA film student and operations manager for Entravision Communications. “The film style is so simple and beautiful, you feel like you’re really there.” General admission to the festival is $7 and $5 for students, except for those shown at the Student Union which will be free of charge. For more information, contact film festival co-chairs David Anshen at danshen@utpa.edu or Carla Calarge at ccalarge@utpa.edu.

The University of Texas-Pan American and South Texas College Present Shoot the Piano Player (1960) Date: October 9, 2008 @ Cine El Rey at 7 p.m.

Chats Perchés – The Case of the Grinning Cat (2003) Date: October 22, 2008 @ Student Union UTPA at 7 p.m.

Diary of a Country Priest (1951) Date: October 23, 2008 @ Cine El Rey at 7 p.m.

Notre Musique (2003) Date: October 28, 2008 @ Cine El Rey at 7 p.m.

Coeurs – Private Fears in Public Places (2006) Date: November 6, 2008 @ Cine El Rey at 7 p.m.

L’Ivresse Du Povoir – Comedy of Power (2006) Date: November 13 @ Cine El Rey at 7 p.m.

L’ Avocat de la Terreur – Terror’s Advocate (2007) Date: November 19 @ UTPA (TBA)

Le Mépris - Contempt (1964) Date: December 4 @ Cine El Rey at 7 p.m.

More Information contact: Carla Calarge, ccalarge@utpa.edu or David Anshen, danshen@utpa.edu or Jenny B. Clark, jclark@southtexascollege.edu

T HALLOWEEN FUN

Top 10 Horror Movies of All-Time By: Ign FilmForce

10.Night of the Living Dead (1968) 9.Frankenstein (1931) 8.Evil Dead 2 (1987) 7.An American Werewolf in London (1981) 6.Poltergeist (1982) 5.Halloween (1978) 4.Jaws (1975) 3.Rosemary’s Baby (1968) 2.The Exorcist (1973) 1.The Shining (1980)

Laura Garcia - A&E Editor Poltergeist “The little girl was very freaky and the look in her eyes was so piercing. Her catch phrase, ‘they’re here,’ still lives on.” Isaac Garcia - A&E Assistant Editor 28 Days Later “I hate zombie movies, but this one really reinvented the genre. It had this indie horror feel with spectacular cinematography, oh and super fast, rageinfested zombies are freaking scary.” Andrielle Figueroa - A&E Reporter It “Tim Curry was extremely scary in this movie, not to mention I was too afraid to walk near a water drain for months. Although it is an oldie, the lack of special effects does not downplay the scariness of this film.” Russen Vela - A&E Reporter The Others “Nicole Kidman brings such a Grace Kelly iciness to the role as the mother that you fear her until the final twist at the end. Then you start to reevaluate your thoughts about her and that is what makes this film scary.” Rick Gamez - Designer Noroi “The film about a paranormal investigator’s research on an ancient demon is given a real-world feel through its documentary-like portrayal.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 23, 2008

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

And the beat goes on By Russen Vela THE PAN AMERICAN

It has to be said that whenever one attends a football or basketball game, some people there go for the sole purpose of hearing the drum line. The pounding of the drums brings out the inner animal and fans can’t help but dance to the beat. Even if people are making fools of themselves, they just can’t stop dancing. The drum line is there for a specific reason, to get the adrenaline and veins pulsing for the competitions. They get people off their seats onto their feet, waving their hands in the air like they just don’t care. Here is a little history for those who want to know, because the drum line was used before football games or other school activities. During the 19th century, a group of drummers was often paid to perform at public executions. Not for the purpose of making people dance to the death of somebody, but more to build courage and strength for the victim to endure what was going to happen to them. Once the last drum was done pounding, the hangman’s noose would fall or the blade of the guillotine sent the victim to the hereafter. These days, a drum line is less solemn and more of a party to those who just want to dance and be wild. Stomp, which could also be considered a drum line, is a non-traditional dance group whose members use their body and ordinary objects to create a physical theater performance. Physical theater could be best summed up as where the body is incorporated with other objects as a means of producing a percussion movement echoing a tribal dance. To understand a drum line, one needs to know what it consists of, which is snare drums, tenor drums - also known as quads or quints - bass drums, and of course everybody’s favorite, the cymbals. The front ensemble is called The Pit, and includes mallet instruments such as xylophones vibraphones, bass drums, bongos, cowbells, tambourines, and the timpani. The line has become a staple at Valley sporting events these days, especially football games. It was a surprise to many, that UTPA actually has a drum line of its own. Jessica Lopez, a sophomore computer science major, had heard beating drums on Wednesday mornings while walking to class last year. “I would walk to my art history class, and would always hear drums pounding away,” Lopez said. The Edinburg native also stated she was somewhat freaked out, because while a student at Edinburg North High School, she consistently heard the drum line practicing outside. “It immediately brought back memories of high school,” Lopez said. “Every Wednesday, I would dance myself to art history class.” Professor Mark Ramirez, who received his doctorate in music at the University of Texas Austin, has taught at The University of TexasPan American for five years. “The music I teach to the drum line is con-

Design by Rick Gamez

Photo Illustration by Ben Briones/The Pan American

temporary music, Afro-Cuban, and traditional western European, American just to name a few,” Ramirez said. “I also started a Brazilian ensemble last year, so that should add to our types of music we play.” Prior to his appointment at UTPA, Ramirez served as director of Percussion Studies at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. He has also held a graduate assistantship in the doctoral-level wind studies department at UT. While there, Ramirez was responsible for the Texas Drum Line and the Longhorn Jazz Band ensemble. As a clinician, Ramirez has lectured at the University of Texas Longhorn Band marching percussion camps and the University of New Mexico Day of Percussion, as well as clinics in Colorado and South Texas. Ramirez has also offered his services to the McAllen Memorial Indoor Drum line competition in 2005, and has also serviced at Lopez High School Indoor Drum line competition for the last three years. Ramirez, a Brownsville native, was excited to discuss the future plans for the school’s drum line this year. “We are going to PASIC, which the kids are really fired up,” said Ramirez. “This is the first in the history of UTPA to go compete in a drum line competition.” The drum line was created in the fall of 2007 and consists of 21 members. The Percussive Arts Society International Convention, also known as PASIC, is the largest percussion event in the world, featuring over 150 concerts, clinics, panels, competitions, presentations, and of course workshops for the participants and their teachers. The indoor marching drum line competition takes place during the convention and many high schools and college universities from all over the world attend and showcase their talent. The drum line is setting its hopes on competing and winning at the PASIC conference competition on Nov. 5 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin Texas. The convention’s International Drum and Percussion Expo takes place Nov. 6 through Nov. 8 with more than 190 exhibitors showcasing the latest in percussion instruments, gear, publications and services. The expo is an exhibit where the participants and their teachers will have access to over 80,000 square feet of leading drum and percussion manufacturers presenting their new designs and equipment to the audience. The competition takes place on two of the four days which consists of individual competition on snare, tenor, keyboard, or timpani. The second day is made up of marching, standstill marching with the drum line standing still throughout the entire performance, and the small ensemble categories. “We are going to go in and be very competitive,” Ramirez said excitedly. “We have the highest standard set for us, we need to approach it carefully and cautiously.” Ramirez also explained that it was a good experience for the drum line students because it would make them grow as better drum musicians in the future. Alex Padron, freshman music major, had

heard about the fall 2008 drum-line auditions from a friend. “I played Bass II through all my four years in high school at P-SJA,” said Padron. “I am also playing Bass II here now, and I am really excited about the PASIC competition.” “The students have been really excited to go,” Ramirez said, adding that some percussion competitions are intimidating, but that everyone in the drum line is willing to commit, which to Ramirez’s opinion speaks volumes about their passion for drumming. THE MEMBERS SPEAK The UTPA drum line consists of 21 members from various majors. Ramirez said that in order to participate, students need to have at least some drumming experience, either in high school or somewhere else. They welcome all majors and Ramirez hopes to increase the number of members to near 40. Trinidad Lopez Jr., whom the drum line likes to call “Smokey,” plays the snare drum and is co-section leader for the group. “I played snare at La Joya High School all my four years,” Lopez said. “When we were practicing in the fall last year, all we had were practice pads, so we practiced our music on them.” A drum practice pad is a type of percussion implement which is customized for the drummers to aid them in a more quietly warming up performance. It’s also considered a routine for practice purposes. Lopez stated that Ramirez has much knowledge and background in drumming. “He knows his stuff, and he is passing it on to us,” he said. “He is strict, but you have to be in order to get the job done correctly, he is a good guy.” Electrical engineer sophomore Peter “Parker” Garza has been drumming since the 6th grade, and says that it’s a passion he wanted to continue in college. “I went to McAllen High School, home of the Bulldogs,” Garza said. “All my four years I played Bass I, I still play bass here at the UTPA drum line.” Like Lopez, Garza, believes that Ramirez is a brilliant teacher, and musician. “We follow his methods, and things get done easier,” said Garza, who is also excited about PASIC, and for the UTPA basketball games, where the line will perform this season. “We are going to psych the crowd.” Hector J. Garcia, a junior English major and 2007 McAllen Memorial graduate, is in his first year with the group. “I played snare drum during my four years of high school, and was section leader,” Garcia said. “I am also a section leader here at UTPA.” Garcia said when applying to UTPA he had no idea there was a drum line on campus. Like many students, he was shocked to find out there actually was one. The drum line started in the fall of 2007. “I found out that the program was new, I knew I wanted to join,” Garcia said. “I found out that they were holding auditions on a flyer I saw while walking to class, I thought to myself, this is so sweet.”

Gabriel Bauza 24 Music Major

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 23, 2008

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

And the beat goes on By Russen Vela THE PAN AMERICAN

Design by Rick Gamez

Photo Illustration by Ben Briones/The Pan American

Gabriel Bauza 24 Music Major

Page 10

October 23, 2008

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

T CREATIVE WORKS

T MUSIC

Local theatre rings in Halloween

SPI festival coming up

By Andrielle Figueroa THE PAN AMERICAN Teatro Nuestra Cultura (New Culture Theatre) is the Valley’s very own source of theatrical entertainment. Founded in 1997 by actor and director Pedro Garcia, the group enables people of the Valley to enjoy plays that are influenced by local culture. Garcia, who operates TNC at the McAllen Creative Incubator, said that since its inception, he has produced and directed nearly 40 plays, from comedies to classics, in search of a wide variety of shows. Including the show, “Bird Brains,” that Garcia wrote and has been showing all year. To back up his theatre program, Garcia uses years of experience with acting in plays and in movies. From 1987 to 1997 Garcia lived in Albuquerque and worked for La Compania de Teatro (The Theatre Company) where he studied under Ramon Flores and Marcos Martinez; respected teachers and producers from New Mexico and California. The company showed plays such as “Bodas De Sangre” by Federico Garcia Lorca, “Fuente Ovejuna” by Calderon De La Barca, and “Who Killed Don Jose” by Rudolfo Anaya. Currently, Garcia holds acting classes at the McAllen Creative Incubator and has students of all ages. Garcia has 13 students under his wing from the ages of 10 to 65, but has taught at least 50 students in the past year. Anna Amadiros, a teacher who lives in Laredo, is one of Garcia’s stu-

dents. She states that Garcia’s experience gives him the necessities to teach discipline to his students. “Pedro Garcia has a very good ethic, whether it is being on time, making sure that you are well rehearsed or following direction,” she explained. Other students enjoy the idea of performance and what Garcia’s classes enable them to do. “My favorite thing about acting is the opportunity to become someone else, it’s as if I get permission to do whatever I want and it is OK,” said Maggie Muniz, an administrative assistant from McAllen. The experience with La Compania de Teatro also helped him create a play in 1997 that will show in November, “The Life and Times of Juanito Gonzalez.” The one-act, one-man play that is 45 minutes in duration will be at the Museum of South Texas History Nov. 1. On Nov. 2 it will be at the McAllen Creative Incubator. “The Life and Times of Juanito Gonzalez,” is a bilingual children’s show about Gonzalez, who died at the age of 98. The story is set on Nov. 2, in any cemetery one could imagine in the Rio Grande Valley. The story is to explain the holiday Dia De Los Muertos, as well as give an important message for children: working hard in academics and listening to teachers gives you a long and healthy life. Although Gonzalez, 100, is dead in the play he recaps his happy life while alive, which he attributes to his will to read and write. Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican hol-

iday where friends and family gather and celebrate their loved ones that have passed away. With traditional foods and drinks they gather at the gravesites to honor the lives of the deceased. Garcia explained why he created the story. “While I was living in Albuquerque, a literacy group asked me to write a story about reading, writing and Dia de los Muertos,” he said. At first Garcia was caught off guard, but decided to incorporate his talent into the project and turn the essay into a play for the group. The subject of a popular Mexican holiday shows the Spanish roots of the play, much like Garcia’s other works. In 2006, he was cast in a film

called “Clemente” by director Pablo Veliz, and also worked in “Porcion 71,” with award winning actor Bruno Bichir, a project that is in the process of being completed. Garcia likes his culture to play a big role in his art saying, “It’s easier for me to write about my Hispanic culture. I feel more comfortable with this because it revolves around stories I listened to while growing up.” The Valley can expect to see more work from TNC in the future, and can also be a part of it. “I encourage local writers to come up with great Valley stories that people would enjoy,” Garcia commented. “I would be happy to work with new directors and producers.”

Pedro Garcia

STORY-TELLING - Pedro Garcia as 100-year-old Juanito Gonzalez. “The Life and Times of Juanito Gonzalez” is a story that gives an important message to children on the importance of academics.

T AFTER-HOURS

Chamber gathers hometown talent By Laura Garcia THE PAN AMERICAN As McAllen’s After-Hours Concert series heads into its second year, more and more local artists have been given the chance to promote their original music and entertain the community. The After-Hours concert was organized by Annabell Cortina and Greg Schuller of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. The first show this year was held Oct. 3 in conjunction with Artwalk and featured a band called Physics of Meaning, hailing from North Carolina. “This band is exceptional and they fell in love with the people of McAllen and the people fell in love with them,” Schuller said. It was obvious the crowd welcomed Meaning with open arms, as band members sold every piece of merchandise, including CDs and T-shirts. Their second album, “Snake Charmer and Destiny at the Stroke of Midnight,” is scheduled for a fall 2008 release. The concerts are held the first

“I continue to perform because in a Friday of each month at Archer Park in McAllen (on Main Street and Ash way I still want to make him proud,” Avenue) and the third Friday of each explained, Heartsfield, who is currentmonth at the city’s new Ware Road ly attempting to complete her first convention center in the outdoor album with Sunfish Records. Also on stage was Snyder, a ’95 grandstand, from October through UTPA alum who has been playing the May, excluding December and April. Opening acts play for 30 minutes, piano since she was old enough to reach the pedals, but didthe second band plays for an hour, “Many of us that have been n’t start singing until about seven or eight and the headliner plays for an hour as gigging for a long time and years ago. “Music is my well but is given enjoying, if not participating, the option of going in the art scene have helped destiny. I gravitated past the limit. pave the way for others. towards the piano at Last weekend Especially in mentoring a very young age and was able to play showcased an allby ear before any female show featur- female artists.” formal training,” ing Candace Snyder said. Heartsfield, Kim Kim Snyder The veteran is Snyder and Dulce, Local artist both happy and all three McAllen natives who have been involved with proud to have watched the music and art scene in the Valley prosper in music since their youth. Heartsfield, 23, has been playing recent years. “I am proud to have been a part of the guitar since she was nine; before her uncle passed he taught her his the growth of the scene in the RGV,” she said. “Many of us that have been greatest love.

gigging for a long time and enjoying, if not participating, in the art scene have helped pave the way for others. Especially in mentoring female artists.” Synder is also a mixed-media artist who says early on she was inspired by the family business, a salvage yard. “Those images and the junkyard culture have stayed with me and lived on through my car-part art and graffiti art, and even in my paintings and other found objects,” she commented. The City of McAllen seems to be following through with intentions to expand the music/art/culture offerings. Schuller only sees good things coming from these events as well. “We do not see an end in the future. We see this event continuing to grow and flourish. The crowd loves it and the bands love it, and I’m having a great time putting on these shows.” The next concert will be Nov.7 at Archer Park featuring Square Roots, Incohero and Ideophonic. For more information contact Greg Schuller at 956-687-2787.

By Pedro Perez IV THE PAN AMERICAN One would have never guessed there was a concert going on upon walking into Cine El Rey in McAllen last Thursday, but it became clear when everyone who was watching the American League Championship Series at the bar, sat up in their seats to catch the main act, Vallejo. Even though they were watching one of the greatest comebacks in Major League Baseball history, Vallejo seemed to distract them, in a good way. On stage, the Austin-based band was not only there to promote their latest album “Thicker Than Water,” which was released in January, but as a promotion to help sell tickets for this year’s installment of the South Padre International Music Festival, to be held on Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Vallejo will be one of the many headliners including Willie Nelson, Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult and Los Lonely Boys, among others. “We’re excited about the festival,” said A.J. Vallejo, who not only sings but is one of three founding members who also happen to be brothers. “It’s such an eclectic lineup, we’ve got a bunch of our friends playing and obviously the legends we get to hang out with. It’s an honor to be a part of it (festival).” Growing up in El Campo, Texas, the three brothers, A.J., Omar and Alejandro were influenced by various Latin jazz and rock artists like Tito Puente and Santana. In high school while in the marching band, they formed Vallejo and never looked back. There are a couple of differences for the festival this year: fewer stages and more popular artists. Game Plan, the company in charge of promotion, has already sold more tickets than last year and they know the festival is easier to market because it’s in its second year. “The biggest thing is the talent lineup,” said festival coordinator Cierra Savatgy-King. “We’ve gone with a little less venues and less artists but a lot bigger artists. They’re more well known.” For more information on the festival visit the Web-site at www.spimusicfest.com.

UTPA Dance Ensemble Oct. 30-31: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium $8 - Advance tickets available at Payments and Collections $10 - at the door $5 - children/students at door

October 23, 2008

GPA continued from Page 1

pre-IB and honors classes. Magdalena Hinojosa, dean of admissions and enrollment services at The University of Texas-Pan American, says that the aforementioned courses do not have a set or standardized curriculum; this is why the recommendation has been made to exclude them from the uniform GPA. “It is difficult to fully assess the weight of courses across school districts,” Hinojosa said. Critics of the proposed plan have speculated that students in high school might not want to take advanced classes if the recommendation takes effect.

Jerry Robledo, Valley View High School counselor, said that smaller districts might feel the blow more than larger ones because schools such as Valley View don’t offer as many AP courses to its students. “AP courses are scarce (in smaller schools) if we’re striving to have high school students earn extra credit, it should be for all challenging courses,” Robledo said. Robledo said that for pre-AP and Gifted and Talented classes, a fivepoint incentive is given to the students’ average. He believes the plan might discourage students from taking

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NEWS

those courses. Hinojosa believes otherwise. “I don’t believe this will dissuade students from taking harder classes,” Hinojosa said. “They will still get extra weight for AP, IB and dual-credit courses.” State education officials say the change is needed because there is no standard in measuring how rigorous the pre-AP, honors and pre-IB courses in question truly are. Dennis McMillan, associate vice president of enrollment and student services at UTPA, served on the Uniform GPA Committee the THECB

organized in order to help assess writing the rules. “The committee itself is made up of about half public school educators and half of higher education administrators,” McMillan said. McMillan believes that the rule will not only allow students to have a better opportunity to compete in their class rank, but it will even help colleges that award scholarships based on GPA, do so in a more fair way. “The ultimate goal is to have standard calculation for all students,” McMillan said. “[The current standard] makes it difficult for some colleges and

COMEDIAN continued from Page 1 because of the picture,” Tapia said. “I thought it was more for girls.” Also included on the poster was a warning, ‘No one under the age of 17 will be allowed.’ The ‘R’ rated warning was due to the fact that a lot of Behrendt’s jokes contained adult material with explicit language and dealt with sex. These jokes however, were the ones that the audience laughed at the most. Samantha Moreno was among the students who thought the edgy jokes were the funniest. “My favorite part was about how that girl was making the weird sounds when his friend was having sex with her,” the 19-year-old undeclared freshman said with a laugh. Apart from the adult material and advice he gave to young women, concepts treated in the book, Behrendt also told the audience what he thought when it came to politics. “Well, I think you should vote,” he said. “I think is a crucial time. I’m for people voting, we’re really lucky our elections take place the way that they do, that there is so much dialogue.” Behrendt was hesitant to let the audience in on his personal opinions, but they slipped out anyway. “I’m in the business of making people laugh and feel good, so I find politics to be polarizing,” he disclosed. Behrendt recalls his time as a college student, when he changed his out-

SBNRC

continued from Page 1

Issac Barrientes/THE PAN AMERICAN

AUTOGRAPH - Jerika Hanson, a sophomore pre-med biology major, gets Greg Behrendt’s autograph in a book he co-authored “He’s Just Not That Into You.” look on politics. “I went to the University of Oregon to study business and play rugby, and I was a Republican,” he said. “Within the first month it all changed. I quit rugby, got my ears pierced, started a band, and switched parties. There, now you know who I’m voting for.”

Behrendt also gave a very brief but blunt explanation of “He’s Just Not That Into You.” “Ladies, don’t date assholes,” Behrendt said. His statement was followed by a roar of applause and laughter from the women in the audience. “When I say assholes I don’t mean men. Now ladies, I’m not on your

side. The books are written for women because men don’t buy books of that nature. You don’t break up with a guy and he says ‘ I got to get a book.’” In the future, Mata said she would like to bring more entertainment artists and speakers to the Student Union, however, future campus headliners have not been decided.

up and let their voices be heard as to which direction or path they want this nation to go in.” He said his campaign has an outline for higher education that it would like to advance. The outline offers increases in Pell grants, a reduction of interest rates on student loans, loan forgiveness for people who go into specialty fields, and educational benefits for people who invest in public service. Noriega said students need to focus on college issues when they’re voting, but also that life after college should be an influence. He noted that students should be concerned about the availability of jobs after graduation, the state and direction of the Texas economy, healthcare, job creation, and energy independence.

“We need to do more,” Noriega said. “I’ll work hard for them (students) in the Senate, and I’ll fight for them.”

NORIEGA continued from Page 1 going table by table courting students for their vote. “You need to stand up if you’re fed up,” Noriega said, while speaking to another group of students on the other side of the cafeteria. While walking the pavement Noriega came across biology major Arnold Pinales, who asked about several issues. Pinales asked Noriega about his position on offshore drilling, to which the candidate responded that he has always been in favor of drilling off the Texas coast. “On a national scale, though, we need energy independence and to look at all options, like renewable energy,” Noriega said. Noriega and Pena, as well as the candidate’s political staff, handed out fliers from the campaign to students as

they walked across the Quad. Noriega concluded his brief campus campaign blitz near the entrance to the early voting station at the Library. He greeted several workers from local campaigns who were outside of the polling station and thanked them for their work. When asked about the reason for his trip to UTPA, Noriega said he wanted to come and visit with the students and tell them how important their vote is in this election. “This age group, the folks here on this campus, have more at stake and more to lose in this election possibly more than any other age group in the history of this country,” Noriega said. “This election isn’t about me or Obama, McCain or anyone else… the students on this campus have to stand

universities to award scholarships.” Beginning fall 2009, high school class rank along with ACT and SAT scores will be taken into consideration for students who do not make at least a 17 on the ACT or 810 on the SAT when they are applying for admittance into UTPA. “Obviously high school rank is based on GPA so their admission could be impacted if the student does not make the ACT or SAT score needed for automatic admission,” she said. “So students need to take the rigorous course work so that they double their chances of getting into UTPA.”

Early Voting Cast your votes! Where: UTPA Library Deadline: Oct. 31 Other locations: http://www.newschannel5.tv/Ele ctions/Voter-Info#hidpol

graduate students from both the social work and public administration areas at UTPA. “We’re planning to place one graduate intern from social work and one from public administration,” he explained. Uhrbrock said they are still working with the social work and public administration departments to establish a set application process for the internships. Through the Foundation Center, a Texas group whose mission is to support and strengthen the nonprofit sector, the SBNRC is able to provide databases on foundations that can help fund organizations. “This is a positive program that is really going to help nonprofit organizations reach full capacity,” he said. “This is a very good project and we have administrative support.” Uhrbrock said that admistrators like Paul Sale and other faculty members like Van Reidhead, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences have, backed up the mobile-unit idea. Estela Soza-Garza, field education director, said the SBNRC opportunity is great for graduate students in social work. Soza-Garza explained the mobile-unit idea came at the perfect time because the department is now concentrating on the “macro” perspective, focusing on organizations, administration and community development. The other concentration, “micro,” covers individuals and families within communities. “This is a really good timely opportunity for many of our graduate students,” she said about the SBNRC’s plans. Although the SBNRC will be limited in terms of the number of internships this spring, Soza-Garza said this will help social work graduates become progressive in terms of providing more resources for interns and nonprofit organizations. “It’s extremely important along here (Valley) because we live in an area where resources are more limited,” she added. “We are addressing issues of community and economic development.”

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October 23, 2008

NEWS

SNACKS continued from Page 3 “I don’t mind,” said Beatrice Alvarado the history major “It’s okay because most places sell it at that price.” Benavides’ said the beverage vending machine increase stems from a contractual agreement with CocaCola. She said 12-ounce beverages, which were 65 cents, have risen 10 cents since June, with 20-ounce drinks zooming to a dollar in 2007. The last time it rose was in 2002 to 80 cents. The Lance and Toms vending distributors and UTPA are currently renting month to month while they negotiate a new contract that has just run out. New additions to the contract are Bronc Buck card readers that Cardenas said he would have to add to his vending machines. Benavides said they hope to secure the contract in December. Cardenas said prices will not come down, but he hopes that he can keep them where they are now. “We hope they don’t go up more,” said Cardenas. “It’s a headache changing prices.”

Changing Prices before: .70 cents now: .95 cents

Photo Illustration by Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

SNACK ATTACK - The prices of snacks at UTPA have recently gone up this semester, the first spike since 2002.

BROADCAST continued from Page 3

GATES continued from Page 3

new kids on the block.” for students to broadcast news on the Though UTPA’s newest student Internet. publication is not at the forefront, he “He got me excited about being in said he has high hopes for the near news and entertainment,” said Chavez future, with plans to eventually have a about Mann’s advising and guidance. daily newscast and radio FM station, She said that Bronc News is much like KTSW. already looking forward to covering “I’d like to see upcoming events a news brief every “What we want is for us like Midnight day,” he stressed. Madness. Chavez (Bronc TV/Radio) to have is added that having “What I want is for us (Bronc a continuous presence at the Bronc TV/Radio TV/Radio) to have university” online is very cona continuous presvenient because it ence at the univer- Fred Mann can be watched Bronc TV/Radio Adviser sity.” whenever, wherVanessa Chavez, ever. a broadcast journal“It’s kind of ism major from Weslaco, is the Bronc different with the many personalities TV station manager. everyone has,” she said. “They all The 22-year-old further expressed get their work done and in the end excitement about Mann and his dream it’s about making the right deci-

paying jobs, are going to require post dents in an AP Chemistry class at secondary college degree,” Melinda Hidalgo ECHS. Students eyed the Gates said. “To be in a building like door until the couple arrived. guests this and to see that the kids are college then walked around class and asked going is an inspiration.” the students about their experiences in Patricia Loera, senior program offi- AP classes. cer for education, said the Gates Priscilla Cano, a senior, told the pair Foundation has it was a privilege to invested $20 million “For us what we saw here take the course. in the Rio Grande “Not every high today is something we’d Valley, through eduschool offers this cational institutions want to see around the Rio opportunity, it’s and programs like Grande Valley and quite good to take advanRegion One, and frankly, throughout Texas tage of it,” said Texas High School and around the United Cano, who wants to Project an education study medicine. States.” service center that Instructor of the has granted $65 milclass, Chris lion back to public Greg Shaw Gonzales, who Director of advocacy and policy schools across the received his masRGV. ter’s of education “For us what we saw here today is in science and currently getting anothsomething we’d want to see around er master’s in chemistry, found out he the Rio Grande Valley and quite would be receiving the Gates’ five frankly, throughout Texas and around minutes before the class began. the United States,” said Shaw. “I was dumbstruck I didn’t know how to react,” he said. “Of course it’s CLASSROOM VISIT a great opportunity for the students to The Gates also spent time with stu- see him.”

Visit the official Bronc TV Radio Web site: www.utpa.edu/broncradio

sions.” Chavez said she hopes to get Bronc TV/Radio more involved with the UTPA community. Currently there are 10 staff members, but Chavez said she has hopes of the newscast eventually getting TV air time. The ribbon ceremony was originally scheduled for Oct. 3 but was changed to Friday for further planning.

TIDBIT In 2004, Bronc TV/Radio started as a sports club covering volleyball and basketball games for the UTPA atheletic department. Students have been working since 2006 on newscasts broadcast through the Internet.

October 23, 2008

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Dates to Know:

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Men’s and Women’s Tennis

Women’s Soccer

UTPA Invite Saturday-Sunday Orville Cox Tennis Center

vs. Texas Tech Sunday San Marcos October 23, 2008

THE PAN AMERICAN

T MEN’S SOCCER

Broncs rout opponents, prepare for regional tourney By Alvaro Balderas THE PAN AMERICAN

Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

ROUT ON - Senior kinesiology Eder Islas evades a Javelina defender during Saturday’s 5-0 blanking of Texas A&M-Kingsville.

There is no better way The University of Texas Pan-American men’s soccer club could have asked to finish off its 2008 season this weekend. Knowing that in order to have a shot at qualifying for the regional tournament this month, the Broncs not only had to win their remaining games, but also had to find the back of the net as many times as possible in case qualification came down to goal differential. With their sights set on the task at hand Sunday, the Broncs (5-2-1) went on to defeat Sam Houston University 4-1 with a great show of soccer. “They (Bearkats) came out pretty confident talking about how they dominated Texas Tech and UTSA, but we were able to pull through and give them four goals,” men’s coach Marcelo Schmidt said. The goals came from sophomore Juan P. Davila in the second minute, one by kinesiology major Eder Islas, and two from senior Juan “Puma” Reynoso. “This was our toughest game of the weekend. We were tired but we made up for it by passing the ball around consistently. This helped us a lot because it made them run like crazy and

not us,” Reynoso said. “We settled majors Adrian Flores and Roel down with the early lead, which helped Trevino, Weslaco native Apolonio us move the ball around and getting it Cavazos, and two from leading goal through the right spaces and that scorer Reynoso. “We were able to win by playing rehelped us a lot.” The Broncs will now wait until the ally good soccer. We were anticipating regional tournament Oct. 31, where they a weaker team because of the results of will hopefully try and get one of the two the other games they had played,” Schmidt said. “We spots that will go to nationals. “Every time you do not were well rested coming into this “I told the guys that the season is give the other team a goal game. I pretty much over and that the it speaks about our defense. gave them the whole regional tourna- Our central defender week off to take care of their academics, ment is a whole Francisco Guerrero is a so they could come different thing,” back energized and Schmidt said. guarantee down there.” ready to go, which “Everybody is they did real well.” coming into the Marcelo Schmidt Exceptional play tournament healthy from the midfield as and I am looking Men’s soccer club coach well as the defensive forward to that.” live helped decide the outcome of the game, according to Schmidt. Jose TAMUK Entering Saturday’s game against Ramon, the orchestrator in the midconference rival Texas A&M Kingsville, field, impressed Schmidt by not letting Schmidt had hinted that his club might many balls go past. “Every time you do not give the run up the score to try and ensure a spot other team a goal it speaks about your in the regional tournament. And when the Javelinas stepped on defense,” the coach commented. “Our the UTPA intramural practice field, the central defender Francisco Guerrero is Broncs did just that as they went on to a guarantee down there. Nobody gets by him. I trust that guy anywhere at rout the visitors 5-0. The goals came from engineering any point.”

T VOLLEYBALL

Lady Broncs snap eight-game losing skid, but fall to Huskies By Sara Hernandez THE PAN AMERICAN After two not very successful weekends at the Field House, The University of Texas-Pan American’s volleyball team returned with a doubleheader last weekend. The Lady Broncs opened Friday with a solid 2514, 25-11, 25-8 victory against Chicago State but fell 17-25, 22-25, 25-22, 22-25 against Houston Baptist University on Sunday. The women, who sit at 4-12, will travel to Utah Friday for a rematch against Utah Valley State, and will return home on Halloween for their final home game of the season against Texas Southern University, at 3 p.m. CHICAGO STATE The Lady Broncs trailed the Lady Cougars in the first set until senior middle blocker Deanna Schneyer and senior outside hitter Kellie Phillips blocked an attack to tie the match at 4; from there, UTPA was able to roll to a 25-14 victory behind nine kills. The two following sets confirmed clear Bronc dominance that led the

women to their third home win of the season. In the second set, UTPA recorded a .469 hitting percentage against .100 by Chicago State. The Lady Broncs had 10 more kills (17 to 7) and two more attacks (32 to 30), while having two fewer errors than their opponents. The rest of the game went smoothly for the home team. They allowed the Lady Cougars to score only eight points during the third set and had a hitting percentage of .333 compared to -.138 by Chicago State. “It feels good to have a win under our belt,” Schneyer said. “Hopefully this will give us the momentum to finish strong.” Before the game, Schneyer, Phillips, senior setter Chelsea Blakely, and senior libero Ytszel Trinidad were honored during the team’s Senior Night ceremony. The seniors were escorted to the court by their respective parents to recognize their path through the UTPA volleyball program and to note the pending end of their collegiate career. Schneyer expressed the colliding

emotions she experienced on the night. “Senior Night is kind of bittersweet,” she said. “On Halloween, it’s going to be our last game in the Field House; that’s when tears are going to start.” HOUSTON BAPTIST After the excitement of a memorable episode, UTPA clashed against the Lady Huskies with a tough, four-set game. During the first set, HBU stayed ahead on the score for most of the game and cruised to a 25-17 victory. However, in the second set, the Lady Broncs gave better competition to the visitors and committed fewer errors (9 to 6) than the visitors. But behind more kills (14 to 9) and attacks (54 to 45), the Lady Huskies claimed the set victory and finished with a .093 hitting percentage versus .067 by UTPA. The third set seemed to go the same way as the initial two, but the Lady Broncs caught up on a 22-22 score after an assertive serve by Danielle Reed to seal the 25-22 win. The anxiousness built toward the end of the match, the fourth set, which witnessed a back-and-forth affair be-

tween the two teams. The Lady Broncs defense failed several times and gave HBU the conditions to break a 20-20 deadlock, allowing them to go home with the victory. Marci Logan, UTPA sophomore outside hitter, expressed her frustration with being unable to close the fourth set successfully. “We trained very hard to beat this team,” said Logan, who had .097 hitting percentage with 10 kills, seven errors and 31 attacks. “It’s just a couple of errors that added up.” Schneyer had a .375 hitting percentage followed by Phillips with .200. Sophomore Reed from League City contributed six kills and two blocks and declared that her team did not show its potential in the game. “We are a good team and individually we’re awesome,” she said. “We haven’t seen it bring it all together.” Second-year coach Angela Hubbard stressed that although the team had good moments, they were not sufficient to accomplish a winning result. “We saw moments of greatness,” she said. “We came back in that third

game hoping that would carry on to the fourth and into the fifth and unfortunately we made too many errors and weren’t able to finish out strong.”

Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

SPIKED! - Sophomore outside hitter Danielle Reed attempts a kill during Sunday’s 3-1 loss against Houston Baptist.

October 23, 2008

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SPORTS

T WOMEN’S TENNIS

Lady Broncs seek to maintain last season’s success By Pedro Perez IV THE PAN AMERICAN

Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

‘08-‘09 LADY BRONCS - (Standing from left) Sarah Burton, Reetta Raty, Malin Anderson and Stephanie Willerding. (Kneeling from left) Luisa Cantu and Megan Bedeau.

With three seniors graduating from the most successful season in Bronc history, the University of Texas-Pan American women’s tennis team is in a position to not only try keep the momentum from the 16-8 campaign, but reload with the addition of two freshmen to the roster. “We have a little bit of rebuilding to do from last year,” men’s and women’s head coach Rob Hubbard said. “The team is really tight and I’ve been fortunate that all the women get along really well and they fit well together.” One of the major loses the women’s tennis program was hit with was the graduation of Silke Buksik. Last year the Waiblingen, Germany, native went 19-3 in singles action and 17-7 in doubles play with this year’s team captain, junior Megan Bedeau. “Those are a lot of wins to replace,” Hubbard said. “We’re still trying to work out the doubles line up, Megan has been playing with Malin (Anderson) but we have until January to have the doubles ready.” As the Ontario, Canada, native takes the reins of a team that consists completely of international players from Canada, Mexico, Sweden, and Finland, she knows the Lady Broncs need to work harder than last year to keep winning.

“We just make everything a team tennis for the first time. “I just wanted to try to play tennis effort,” said Bedeau, who went 1212 last year in singles competition. in the U.S. because in America the “We had a really good season last whole sports thing is different.” Raty said. “We don’t year, but it‘s have sports in going to be a universities or lot different high schools. because we It’s all clubs have two freshmen on Oct. 25 UTPA Invite All Day and has nothing do with the team.” Oct. 26 UTPA Invite All Day to The three Jan. 17 College of the Southwest TBA school.” Raty was other juniors Jan. 31 Prairie View A&M University TBA on the team Feb. 7 Southern University TBA introduced to consist of Feb. 8 Monterrey Tech TBA UTPA tennis junior O n t a r i o Feb. 24 Nicholls State 4 p.m. by natives Sarah March 6 Central Arkansas 3 p.m. men’s member Burton and March 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff TBA Shashank Vij, S t e p h a n i e April 2 Stephen F. Austin TBA also a Finn. “There’s a W i l l e r d i n g , April 4 Texas A&M - Corpus Christi TBA plus Luisa April 17 National Independent Tourn. TBA Finnish guy on the tennis team Cantu of and I met him Ta m a u l i p a s , Mexico. Last year, the four juniors last summer when I played against record consisted of 31-15 overall in him,” Raty said. “He told me about the school and I sent my video to the singles action. Cantu and Willerding hit the dou- coach and he liked it.” The season began on Sept. 19 with bles action again for the third season with the experience and confidence to the Stephen F. Austin Invite. The Lady match their 11-9 record from last year. Broncs are gearing up for the UTPA “I’m excited about doubles,” Invite Saturday against Monterrey Willerding said. “I think we’re going Tech at the Orville Cox Tennis Center. to do really well this year because Bedeau is ready for Saturday and the we’ve been together for two years entire season; she’s fired up. “We’re going to have a kick-ass seaalready. We just want to beat them all!” The two freshman, Finland native son,” Bedeau said, not knowing if she Reetta Raty and Sweden native was allowed to speak in that manner. Anderson, have made an overseas “I’m excited and ready to go, it’s going journey from Europe to play team to be awesome and I’m psyched.”

Women’s Tennis Home Schedule

T WELLNESS CENTER

T TENNIS

On Nov. 14, The University of Texas-Pan American’s Border Health will have its second annual World Diabetes Day hosted by the Wellness and Recreational Sports Complex (WRSC) to promote diabetes awareness in the Bronc community. “Any time you can add a fun component into education and learning about something, I think it sticks with people more,” said Jacque Adams, the WRSC fitness coordinator. “The event is also to create the camaraderie, a fun competition between departments.” The day will be divided into two parts, a 9 a.m.-to-11:30 a.m. session for faculty and staff and 3 p.m.-to-5 p.m. one for students. Participants are required to be in groups of four, consisting of two males and two females; combatants will engage in such activities as push-ups, sit-ups, a flexibility test, basketball drills and an obstacle course. Participants will be given a group and individual overall score, and prizes will be given based on the results, which will be evaluated from a standard chart. The overall score recieved will be based on age and gender of the participants, coupled with the amount of reps completed.

UTPA, Hubbard unveils first alumni match By Ramiro Paez THE PAN AMERICAN Before competition heats up for The University of Texas-Pan American men’s and women’s tennis teams, a friendly match was played against UTPA alumni at the Orville Cox Tennis Center Saturday afternoon in the program’s first-ever Alumni Match. With cool and crisp October-like weather dominating the scene, the Broncs and Lady Broncs took the court against some former teammates and old faces. Head coach Rob Hubbard says the alumni match saw great success and served as a way of revamping ties with ex players. “We’re trying to reconnect with our alumni and reconnect with the tennis and business communities in the Valley,” Hubbard said. “We started to accumulate some alumni who are still playing. (The alumni match) was more of a chance to develop our relationship and grow our family so that we have people that want to come back and see us play.” Down the road, Hubbard says a yearly alumni match could benefit the program’s budget through contributions from alumni, Rio Grande Valley

business communities, and tennis locals, but the primary objective for the present is to establish camaraderie. Some of the players who returned to the court were Brazilian natives Giana Oliveira and Julia Cirne-Lima, current graduate assistant Oliver Steil and German standout Silke Buksik, who recorded a singles record of 19-3 at UTPA last season as a senior. Canada native Stephanie Willerding, a current women’s player, says the alumni match served as a way of maintaining relationships with players and hopefully increasing attendance. “It was for exposure to get everyone reconnected and build a new relationship with everyone so that hopefully in a few years we can get money from the alumni,” Willerding said. Hubbard jokingly said there was a little trash-talking from former players but the match never crossed the line of friendly competition, which was the main gameplan. “Competition-wise, it was good for my team to get some matches in but it was also to get to know these alumni who haven’t had a chance to meet before,” Hubbard said. “It fared really well for the program and the scores were irrelevant today.”

Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

A VISIT FROM TENNIS PAST - Junior Brett Bernstein (left) and graduate assistant Oliver Steil (right) squared off during Saturday’s alumni match.

October 23, 2008

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 16

T FEATURE

By Adriana Acosta THE PAN AMERICAN The Darling brothers are not an ordinary family. Born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, members have competed in the Olympics and won medals, boasting a member of the National Football League player and a university coach that has taken his team to the championship. Dennis Darling, The University of Texas-Pan American’s men’s and women’s track and field coach, is one of the family standouts. He has guided some of the track athletes to records in the 400-meter dash, wins at the Border Olympics, and All-America status. At the age of 16, his cousin Frank Rutherford, the first Olympic medalist from the Bahamas, persuaded Darling’s parents to move him and his brothers to Houston for better opportunities in education and athletics. “If I’d stay in the Bahamas, I probably would have joined the Armed Forces,” Darling said. “And in the Bahamas, I couldn’t even make the track team. I was always an alternate. University of Houston coach Tom Tellez came to see me run when I was in the Bahamas. After that, my focus was getting ready for college.” Darling received an athletic scholarship to Houston and had famous American sprinter Leroy Burrell as his mentor and is friends with him to this day. “We talk on the phone at least once a week,” he said. After high

QuotesFrom TheStands school, he went back to the Bahamas and began to compete internationally. In 1995, he competed with the 4x400 meter squad at the International Association of Athletics Foundation World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. In 1996, he made the Olympic team and qualified to run the 200-meter race but decided against it. “Running with Michael Johnson? I didn’t have a chance,” he said jokingly. “But I really wanted to focus on running the relay.” He would eventually win a bronze medal at the IAAF in 2003, and run in the 4x400 meters relay during the 2004 Olympics. He then joined UTPA in 2006 as an assistant track coach, within a year he was promoted as head coach of the track and field program. FOOTBALL DREAMS Devard and Devaughn - identical twins, and Darling’s younger brothers decided football was their sport of choice. “It was a natural progression. We saw our older brother and cousin (Rutherford ) compete, but we had a love for football,” said Devard Darling, a current player of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. “It was our destiny to become football players.” Dennis Darling remembers his father’s favorite sport to watch on television was football. Since the Bahamas was so close to Florida, everyone liked to watch the Miami Dolphins. After a successful football career at Stephen F. Austin High School in Sugarland, the twins attended Florida State University. Devard Darling, a wide receiver, and Devaughn Darling, a linebacker, played Seminole football for a season before tragedy struck the family.

On Feb. 26, 2001, Devaughn Darling, the youngest of five children, collapsed after an offseason workout at Florida State of an apparent cardiac arrhythmia from a blood disorder known as sickle cell trait. Although it was said the disorder may have been a contributing factor, the medical report was inconclusive. “The death certificate says ‘inconclusive,’ nobody knows, it is still a mystery till today,” Dennis Darling said. Dennis Darling left behind a successful track career to be with his surviving brother. “I stopped running for two years,” he recalled. “I knew my focus was just on my brother and trying to get him back together and back to school. So I dropped everything and moved to Tallahassee to be with him.” After the devastating loss of their brother, Devard Darling left Florida State, having witnessed the death of his twin brother. Devard was on the field when Devaughn collapsed and was by his side when they took him away. After a two year break from school and football, Devard Darling attempted a return, but FSU doctors would not clear him to return to the field. His decision to leave FSU and pursue another university was more difficult then he could imagine. Every school he picked required he take a medical examination. But his luck would change after Washington State University accepted him and he was able to resume his college football career. He finished with 106 receptions for 1,666 yards and 19 touchdowns in two seasons, also obtaining his bachelor’s degree in sports medicine. During his junior year of college at WSU, he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2004 National Football League

draft, the 82nd pick overall. “When I was drafted, this was a big moment for both of us. Even though he was not with us in person, he was with us in spirit.” Devard Darling said of his departed twin. His feelings of walking into the field for his first NFL game were no different. “It was a rush of emotions, it was unbelievable, yet bitter sweet moment,” he said. “He was not there – but we were living the dream.” After a three-year stay with the Ravens, Devard Darling signed a threeyear contract in March 2008 with the Chiefs. Through Week 7, he has five receptions for 109 yards, averaging 21.8 per catch. Now that it has been seven years since the death of his brother, Devard and Dennis Darling cope by thinking about him every day. Devard carries a picture of his twin brother in the shoulder pads of his Kansas City Chief uniform and has the No. 53 in his locker; that was Devaughn’s jersey number when he played at FSU. “I have a picture of him and carry it with me when I step out into field; he is always in my heart,” Devard said. “He had attributes and showed at a young age how strong he was, he believed in his talent and was a remarkable young man. He was strong minded and dedicated to family. There is not a day that does not go by that I don’t think about him.” For now, the bond of brotherhood and happier times before the tragic death is all they both have. Memories of them talking, laughing and spending time together will stay in their hearts forever. “All I got is memories,” Dennis Darling said. “When we lived in the Bahamas we spent so much time together. We were really close.”

“I’m glad that we got rid of our coach on Monday. They got a new head coach. The old coach didn’t know what he was doing. We had five losing seasons. I’m hoping the new one will turn us around and get us to the Super Bowl.” Daniel Flores Junior T.V. and film major

On the San Francisco 49ers “I find it to be terribly boring and far too much of American culture is centered around it... I care about the NFL the same way I care about icebergs in the Arctic. I don’t.” Rob Garcia Senior T.V. and film major

On football

Editor’s Picks HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

McAllen Bulldogs

Memorial Mustangs

Friday 7:30 p.m.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Dennis Darling

Devard Darling Penn State @ Ohio State Nittany Lions Buckeyes Saturday 7 p.m. (ABC)

NFL

SPORTS INFORMATION

ROB CARR/AP

Atlanta Falcons

@ Philadelphia Eagles

Sunday Noon (FOX)