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Local actor aims for diversity in Hollywood Online
Volume 69, No. 2
Cross Country
Teams hope to improve after weak season opener Page 7
Student Delegate
UTPA graduate student visits North Carolina for DNC Page 3
Greek Life
New online blog panamericanonline.com
Weekly Review
The Pan American reporters look at events around Valley
September 6, 2012
2
editorial
September 6, 2012
Don’t feel Norma Gonzalez Sports Editor
I’m 23, graduated high school over five years ago, still live at home, have a car that barely works and have no idea when I’ll graduate, but that’s ok. A couple of weeks ago my twin sister announced that she will be graduating in December and, ever since then, my family has been asking me nonstop when I’ll be next. Worst of all, they’re almost insulted when I tell them I’m not sure. Who said that you only have a certain amount of time to complete your college education? I know the University pushes students to graduate in four years, but don’t feel bad if you don’t. You are going to college for you and no one else, so do it on
rushed your time. The way I see it, I don’t do drugs or partake in “bad” behavior, so there’s no reason for them to be disappointed in me, right? And it’s not like I don’t want to finish school I can’t wait to finish and move on but obstacles have gotten in my way, slowing me down. My main motivator is working at The Pan American. As a print journalism major, I can’t wait to move to a new city to work for a newspaper or magazine. So, while I can’t get that type of job until I graduate, I’m building experience and making contacts through the student newspaper. When my family really starts ragging on me, I tell them I’m already working in
Go to school on your time
my career field, something most college students aren’t able to do. I’m pretty sure if I didn’t work here I wouldn’t be as driven to graduate. I could have just become a statistic detailing college dropouts. After taking a year off fall 2010/spring 2011 I could have easily decided not to come back, but, come fall 2011, I was in class. Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t finish up quickly, or that one should just take a break whenever they feel it’s necessary. Life isn’t easy, things get in the way, and if that means you can only take two classes per semester, so be it. At the end of the line, it is your degree and your potential career. So be sure what you want from your time at college.
Photo of the week
Norma Gonzalez/The Pan American
Engineering students Sergio Vargas (left) and Chris Garza retouch a model roller coaster which will be used during an upcoming activity at HESTEC.
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from the valley to the democratic superbowl 29-year-old delegate illustrates changing face of politics By Karen Antonacci The Pan American UTPA graduate student Rogelio Chanes is excited to hear President Barak Obama accept the Democratic party’s nomination tomorrow, especially since he will be among fellow delegates in the Charlotte, N.C., crowd. “It would be a shame to come here and do all these things but miss that,” the Brownsville native said. Chanes, a public administration major, first became interested in politics after his father convinced him to take a marketing course in Mexico. “How Bill Clinton got elected sort of caught my attention,” explained Chanes, who earned his BA in marketing from The University of Texas at Brownsville in 2008. “Understanding all the struggles he went through and all the obstacles he had in front of him in 1992 and he still managed to win the nomination and the presidency, all through marketing strategy, for me was amazing.” Chanes became involved with local elected officials’ campaigns and volunteered with the Obama campaign in 2008. That year, he attended the Democratic National Convention in Denver and helped the campaign set up parties in the area so supporters could watch Obama win the nomination. Four years later, Chanes is attending the event again as a delegate, one of five from Senate District 20. The DNC delegates are important
because they cast a ballot for the Democratic nominee. “It was cool to check that box,” he said. “It’s basically saying to Obama, ‘I got your back.’” To land his spot in Charlotte, Chanes attended both the county and state conventions to become one of five delegates from this senate district. Chanes, who is 29, said that a young party delegate is not a common concept in the Valley. “It’s kind of new that someone young, under the age of 35, is interested and engaged and wanting to be involved,” he said. “People are still amazed but sort of surprised and intrigued at a new generation being engaged.” Besides attending speeches by a veritable who’s who of the political world, the delegates also split their time in caucuses and sessions, networking and brainstorming ideas on how to better engage their neighborhoods and constituency. Chanes described the experience as similar to a high school reunion in that he was reconnecting with many people he met on the campaign trail in ‘08, as well as meeting a new crop of influential Democratic politicians. “The expression you hear people give is that the conventions, the national conventions for both parties are like the Super Bowl for political parties,” he said. “Everybody across the country gets together and they get to see everybody and know everybody from all walks of life.”
It’s basically saying to Barak Obama ‘I got your back.’ Rogelio Chanes on confirming President Barak Obama as the Democratic nominee
Courtesy of Rogelio Chanes
Graduate student Rogelio Chanes poses for a photo with then-Senator Barack Obama during a 2007 campaign stop in San Antonio. Chanes worked in the Obama campaign four years ago and is now a delegate for the Democratic party.
NEW VOTES
The burgeoning Hispanic or Latino vote helped thenSenator Obama win by a close 8 percent margin of the popular vote in 2008 and an increase in population. The demographic group has been under the political microscope, with the latest census revealing that the number of people in the United States of Hispanic origin increased from 12.5
percent of the total U.S. population to 16.3 percent in the past 10 years. Chanes relayed his experiences participating in the Hispanic caucus, whose membership grew from 658 delegates in 2008 to 759 this year. Because of this, both parties are working hard this election year to cater to the growing Latino population, whether
it’s the buzz surrounding Republican up-and-comer Sen. Marco Rubio from Florida or the DNC’s keynote speech delivered by San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro Tuesday. “(Castro) really spoke from the heart of Latinos,” Chanes said. “He spoke about dreams and opportunities.” Chanes will be flying back to Valley after he hears the president speak tomorrow.
He says after the convention, he will have to “get back to his life,” attending classes and working with a civic engagement organization. “I just have to keep moving forward,” he said. “I learned from this experience, and hopefully I can be here in four years to help pick the nominee.”
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THE PAN AMERICAN
September 6, 2012
September 6, 2012
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THE PAN AMERICAN
September 6, 2012
September 6, 2012
THE PAN AMERICAN
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arts & life
September 6, 2012
Arcade continued from page 1 In the past, coins jingled in the pockets of those anxiously waiting for their turn to play on the boxy game machine. Onlookers huddled around the player as he or she tapped the buttons and shifted the joystick in all directions, attempting to prevail against the computer-generated opponent. Now, gamers no longer have to save their quarters for the arcade or blow into game cartridges to play video games. With advances in technology, people can now interact and play video games against someone who lives miles from them without having to leave their home. Because of this, however, the arcade scene, along with various game genres, has had to adapt and evolve. “The arcade scene started at local arcades. Big tournaments were held in Harlingen,” said Julio ‘Hamm’ Hernandez, who has been a part of the gaming community since 1999. “Back then there were no consoles. You had to pay the arcade owners to use their equipment and pay to practice.” With the arcade scene dying out due to the Internet and popularity of the home console, fighting games took the plunge with it. These games, such as Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, are part of a video game genre where a player controls their on-screen
character to combat another player’s. Hernandez explained that eventually the scene died in the Valley because of a fighting game production drought from 2006 until Street Fighter IV came out in 2009. “People still participated in tournaments, but they eventually became bored playing the same game over and over again,” the Pharr native said. When David Fishouse realized the scene was left “in shambles with no leader,” he decided to create video game event organizing company, Critical Hit Gaming, in 2010. Fishouse took it upon himself to bring back the fighting game community in the Valley. “The fighting game scene had kind of fizzled out like in 2008, 2009. Whereas beforehand it was kind of like the place to go. You would call up all your friends and go meet at the arcade, but that just, well, died out,” explained Fishouse, a Pharr native. “They were tournaments that would happen on the regular, every year or so, and after we went a couple years without tournaments, I just felt it was time to step it up.” FIGHT NIGHT Critical Hit teamed up with The Spark Plug Pool Hall
and Venue to host an all ages Fight Night located at 224 East University Drive in Edinburg. Gamers get together when they can to test their fighting game skills against one another. The hosts try to make the event every Friday, but occasionally it’s every two or three weeks. Buttons clicked, gamers combo’d their opponent and music played at The Spark Plug. Surrounded by their opponents,
to come practice, and meet more people who share the same interests as them,” Spark Plug Owner Chris Rodriguez said. “The gamers will also have the opportunity to meet teams and even join one.” With equipment for over 50 players provided by Critical Hit, gamers can get the feel of an arcade without a pocket full of quarters. Fight Night games include Street Fighter IV, Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Mortal Kombat 9, King
Adrian Castillo/The Pan American Gamers Amanda Zamora, a Texas State Technical College student, and Rigo Ramos attend Fight Night at the Spark Plug venue. each participant was placed at one of five round tables. They sat, gazing intently at one of the eight 26-inch flat screens, fighting with their character to make it to the 42-inch screen for the final round of the event. “We want to start getting the youth more involved in gaming by providing them with a place
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of Fighters XIII and Persona 4 Arena. The available consoles are PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and the Super Nintendo. There is a $5 cover, BYOC (bring your own controller) and the gaming lasts from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. “We’re supposed to be getting better at the game when we meet up,” Fishouse said. “At the
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moment it’s still like we’re having a great time, which is great because people get their money’s worth and they get to play their favorite games. But really the ultimate goal is to become recognized, on the map as being a fighting game area.” AGAINST THE ARCADE As people gain the ability to play from the home console through multiplayer or live mode, arcades seem to be becoming obsolete. “The arcade scene had its peak in the ‘80s with Pacman, Donkey Kong,” Fishouse said. “Probably the last peak that we had was back in like 1996, 1997, like around the Mortal Kombat age. From there it slowly died out.” Besides dealing with the lack of game production, arcade operators have to deal with financial issues that also make it difficult for the scene to thrive. “If you’re going to be an arcade operator, you have to pay for an operator’s license which is like $150, $180. Then you have to pay like $50 per machine that you own. Then have to earn back the money a quarter at a time,” Fishouse explained. Even though it seems the arcade scene is no longer in its heyday, Critical Hit has tried to keep the brawl culture alive through Fight Nights, and game rooms for comic book and
Japanese cartoon conventions like Omnicon. Fishouse mentioned that people think conventions are the go-to place to get the best gaming experience, but they don’t always get their money’s worth. A convention pass costs about $35. Those who only want to participate in the game room have to wait for their name to be called, but still have to pay for the pass. “That’s a huge issue and convention owners don’t seem to recognize that. What I want to promote and why I want to get recognized in the convention industry, I guess, is being able to promote dual pricing,” Fishouse said. “So, there will be like a game room only fee, where you can enter the tournaments that you want to enter at a reasonable price.” Although the gaming community has switched to a more technologically advanced form of action, Fishouse explained that in his mind, there is no substitute for the genuine arcade experience. “There is a big difference between playing online and playing in person. And once you play in person, it’s not difficult to go back,” he said. “The quality of play is so much better, being able to communicate in person, and having that social aspect, you know that real arcade feel, people don’t even know what that is anymore. They don’t even know what they’re missing.”
September 6, 2012
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Road to Regionals UTPA Cross Country team hopes to improve from season opener
photo and story by:
Ruben Gutierrez
The UTPA cross country teams struggled at their first and only home meet, which was against the TAMUCC Islanders on Sept. 31 at the Monte Cristo Golf Course and Country Club. But the runners are just getting started. “Today was just kind of brushing off the rust,” assistant coach Ryley Miller said after the team placed third with Martin Casse/Serio Mireles (37:52) and sixth with Raymond Flowers/Andy
Going strong By Dana Nazarova The Pan American The Wellness and Recreational Sports Complex (WRSC) celebrated their five year anniversary last week by organizing a variety of events, competitions and giveaway prizes. “The campaign, or motto, of this year is five years strong, and you are going to see it around pretty often,” Collen Price, assistant director of the WRSC, said. “I believe we exceeded all the expectations that the University had for us. We have large student participation, students are our primarily focus.”
Lopez (39:18). The women got fifth with Judith Chumba/ Robin Galloso (49:30), sixth with Tania Fabian/Beatriz Garza (49:49), and eighth with Ana Martinez/Rebekah Rodriguez (52:34). The men’s team will look to Lopez more this year after losing Mathew Kotut, who placed first in the Great West Championship with a time of 25:20:89. “We have a lot of young guys on our team that are coming in and getting
stronger,” Lopez said. “We put our best effort forward today and hopefully this season we continue doing that.” With three freshmen and a few returning runners on the men’s team, the Broncs hope to have a successful season and apply their new skills at regionals, where they did well in the past season. “They are all practice meets until we get to conference and regionals,” Lopez explained.
WRSC celebrates 5 years of fitness Going five years strong, the WRSC is looking for the next step, whether it’s to get more space or new programs. “We are at the stage where we are using all the programs we have and still trying to find out what students are looking for,” Price said. “It’s kind of an exciting time for us, as employers of WRSC, as we are looking at things that we can expand.” The WRSC will continue providing intramural competitions, such as flag football and outdoor soccer, along with group exercises, one of which will a TRY-A-thlon, and Healthy Cooking 101 classes. “Each class lasts 20 min-
utes and is very convenient for students to try different classes at the same time,” Price said. “All the little competitions keep our events consistent, so students know where to go and when. Healthy cooking first Friday of every month.” A special events calendar and variety of workshops offered by WRSC can be found on their website. The proposal for the WRSC was started in 2004 and was backed by an 86 percent student approval. The project took a year and a half to build and first opened its doors on Aug. 27, 2007.
The women’s team has more returning veterans, including defending Great West Conference champion Chumba, who won in October with a time of 17:47:26. Chumba is expected to make it to nationals this year while keeping her title at the GWC. “My goal is to maintain my championship, and if I train hard then I will make it to nationals,” said Chumba, a senior from Kenya. “It’s not going to be like this one. There will be more
competition, so it will be better, but it’s still going to be tough.” Even with the outcome of the first meet ceded to the Islanders, the Bronc coach says that the performance of the troops didn’t reflect what he expected. “I think on both sides we are kind of just trying to build into the season right now,” he said. “Overall, in terms of performance we were really looking for a lot, but it was more of a glorified
workout for us.” As the Broncs head into the Ricardo Romo Classic in San Antonio Sept. 14, the second of four meets before the Great West Championship event, they hope to best last season’s performance. “Hopefully in two more weeks we are sharper and more ready to go,” Miller said. “We will certainly be taking the next meet seriously, as it will be an invitational and there will be a lot more competition.”
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September 6, 2012
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