Inside the diamond Green and White baseball recap
Pages 4-5
January 30, 2014
Volume 70, No. 17
ONLINE CONTENT
panamericanonline.com
Tax Breaks
Higher education tax breaks expiring soon
Year of the Horse
UTPA celebrates Chinese New Year
Blog Spot
Pop culture events in February
YouTube
Meet the University Program Board
Car show at Convention Center
By Elisa Garcia The Pan American A group of 14 women stand across an auditorium stage, instruments in hand. All are dressed in long lavender skirts and matching silver threaded blouses. As the lights in the auditorium dim, the ladies begin playing La Charreada, a traditional Mexican mariachi song, and soon the room is flooded with applause. The careers of these wom-
en did not bloom overnight, though. Twenty-seven years ago, Mayra Garcia listened to her mother sing mariachi music around the house from Latin artists such as Aida Cuevas and Lola Beltran. Her eyes shined with admiration and she knew that someday she wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps. At age 12, Garcia got into the music act and was part of
mariachis throughout grade school, high school and college at UTPA. In June 2012, the Mission native took her love of music and formed Mariachi Mariposas, an all-women South Texan mariachi group. Little did she know that one day the group would headline for Grammy-nominated Latin artists Roy Escobedo and Gabriel Garcia. Mayra Garcia, head maria-
chi director for La Joya Palmview High School, said she saw many of her female mariachi students possess amazing talent and passion for the music. Garcia wanted to provide a way for them to continue with their love of mariachi after graduation, and Mariachi Mariposas was born. “I fell in love with the music and with the violin, which later became a part of me,” the
39-year-old said. “I never left it. Mariachi music served as an outlet for me.” According to Garcia, a 1999 alumna with a bachelor’s degree in music, she formed the all-women band to give opportunities to underestimated female musicians and to inspire future generations to pursue their dreams.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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opinion
January 30, 2014
Movie dumps
#UTPA Tweet at and follow us @ThePanAmerican
I wish it was colder more often! Half of the people didn’t show up to class and I got a great parking spot. #UTPA -@VarelaJean Everyone at school right now is like wearing scarves and big boots I’m like I just couldn’t find the right heels for my dress today. #UTPA -@TaylorVoje There’s 20,000 students at #UTPA. If we win the #6thFan competition, do we all get $5? -@RGV_Student
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Vol. 70, No. 17
The Pan American
thepanamerican@gmail.com
Hollywood needs a better system for releasing films
couples walked into that movie on opening weekend thinking it was a date movie? Social Media Editor It’s understandable for studios to release these films at this In case you didn’t get the period so that they can be fresh memo, it’s still awards season. in the minds of voters, but that The Grammys aired this past doesn’t mean that the great films weekend (Lorde was victorious, that weren’t released during Osobviously) and we still have the car season should be forgotten. Oscars to face when they air Plus, dumping all of these movMarch 2, 2014. ies in the span of two months is When the nominations for surprisingly stressful. Viewers in this year’s Academy Awards were the Rio Grande Valley have to announced, there was a trend wait until late December/Januamong the Best Picture nomiary for these films to come to nees: they were all fall/winter local theaters, forcing them to releases. see all of them within a short This isn’t an uncommon amount of thing with the time before Academy, since While the latest Oscar season has given the Oscar movie studios ceremony. release their us some truly great movies, is it fair that Instead best, Oscarof releasing audiences should have to wait so long to see friendly films them durduring that these releases, or watch so many great films ing awards time of the year, s e a s o n , hence the term not released during the fall be ignored? these mov“Oscar season.” ies should This is done so be spread Academy votEfron movie. throughout the year to provide ers can have the movies fresh in Historically, many movies us viewers with more options their minds when awards season that are released this early in the to watch at the theater. Not commences. year don’t go on to be recognized only will the films no longer be While the latest Oscar season come Oscar season. The last film dumped during the span of a few has given us some truly great that had an early release date, weeks, but will hopefully lead to movies, is it fair that audiences but still went on to win big at the Academy recognizing great should have to wait so long to the Academy Awards, was The movies that aren’t released dursee these releases, or watch so Silence of the Lambs. The horror ing Oscar season. many great films not released classic premiered on Valentine’s during the fall be ignored? Day 1991- sidenote, how many
Jose S. De Leon |||
Sure, summer releases Before Midnight and Blue Jasmine were recognized by the Academy, but what about other critically acclaimed movies such as Frances Ha, Upstream Color and Fruitvale Station? They came out during the spring/summer, but were mostly ignored during awards season. Also, since many highcaliber movies are dumped so late in the year, studios typically dump their worst films in January. No wonder the box-office is currently populated with such soon-to-be classics like I, Frankenstein, Ride Along, The Nut Job and an upcoming Zac
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Jon Nutt/The Pan American Jorge Parlatto tries out the EPOC by Emotiv at the south entrance of the Arts and Humanities Building Jan. 27. Parlatto, a sophomore psychology major, decided to try on the EPOC headset after his friend showed him the device. The EPOC is a brain-computer interface system that allows the user to control applications with their thoughts.
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Editor-in-Chief:
Susan Gonzalez
News Editor:
Andrew Vera
Sports Editor:
Marco Torres
Arts & Life Editor: May Ortega
Photography Editor: Jon Nutt
Design Editor:
Francisco Rodriguez
Multimedia Editor: Michael Aguilar
Social Media Editor: Jose S. DeLeon III
Copy Editor:
Victoria Valdez
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Dr. Greg Selber
Administrative Associate: Anita Reyes
Advertising Manager: Elva Ramirez
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.
Itzel A. Lopez/The Pan American
news
January 30, 2014
Just a click away The decline of open online classes
By Melinda Garza The Pan American Through some of the most prestigious universities and colleges in the world, people are now able to watch lectures and complete assignments from the comfort of their couches at no cost. From fall 2012 to summer 2013, the University of Texas System, along with Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, partnered with edX, a nonprofit startup for delivering online courses. The UT System invested $5 million in edX and an additional $5 million on course development, while Harvard University and MIT each put in $30 million to develop massive open online classes, or MOOCs. While the trend of using traditional online courses has grown from 6.7 million takers to 7.1 million in the last year, according to Education Week, of the 841,687 who registered in the first year, 43,196 earned certificates of completion. Unlike traditional online courses, MOOC enrollment
occurs continuously throughout courses, with enrollment rates rising as course launch dates approach, then declining quickly after launch dates pass. The average percentage of registrants who stopped activity in MOOCs is highest in the first week, at nearly 50 percent. After the second week, the average for those who cease activity declines to 16 percent and the percentages continue to decline over the ensuing weeks. In fall 2013, the University of Texas at Austin launched the first four MOOCs in the UT System, and added an additional five for spring 2014. As of 2013, UTPA has one MOOC course available, Legal Spanish. Pablo Faz, a senior rehabilitative services major, said he doesn’t think online classes help students connect with each other and feels traditional classes take priority when it comes to studying. “I think online classes have declined because people actually want to learn what they are paying for,” Faz said. “They don’t want to graduate know-
ing what little information they retained from an online class.” According to a study by Inside Higher Ed, 66 percent of all faculty members surveyed believe the learning outcomes of online classes are inferior, compared to those of traditional courses. Among faculty members who teach online courses exclusively, 39 percent said that online classes generate substandard learning outcomes. According to Forbes, MOOCs will not replace faceto-face education, but will expand the learning experience for millions of people around the world, particularly those with circumstances where a personal and direct connection with a teacher is not desired or possible. “It takes a lot of self-discipline to make online learning work for you,” Saenz said. “A lot of people think online learning is easy, but it isn’t. The student is the one that has to keep the motivation going on top of doing all the work that is assigned.”
3
Mexican-American studies for Texas public schools?
UTPA faculty, students sound off on possible courses
By Cynthia Rael The Pan American Come September 2015, the MAS Program, agreed with Mc4.9 million students who make Mahon. up the Texas public school sys“Mexican-American studies, tem may be opening a new kind and particularly history, is part of textbook. of the greater narrative of UnitMembers of the Texas State ed States history and the history Board of Education are debat- of the Americas,” Hernandez ing whether to add Mexican- said. “Mexican-origin peoples American studies as an optional - men and women - have incourse to the curriculum of habited and contributed to the public schools in Texas, which growth and development of this will be decided by February state, and not including this his2014. tory in the K-12 curriculum is According to supporters of not preparing students with an the course, which was proposed all-inclusive education.” by SBOE representative Ruben According to McMahon and Cortez of Brownsville Novem- senior Eloy Gonzalez, president ber 2013, it aims to educate of the Mexican-American StudTexas students about the Mex- ies Club at UTPA, activist Tony ican-American history that is a Diaz has reached out to educapart of the state, and to teach tors and organizations all over cultural sensitivity. This comes the state, including the MAS two months after the contro- club, to help pass this proposal. versial “Catch An Illegal ImDiaz is the head of El Librofimigrant Game,” sparked a nationwide uproar. The event was to be held by the Young Conservatives of Texas at the University of - Sonia Hernandez Texas at Austin. Undergraduate director of MAS program UTPA has the sixth-highest Hispanic enrollment in the nation and is one of dozens cante, a state-wide movement of universities with a Latino- that has advocated for Mexican concentrated program, like the -American studies to be placed University of Texas at San Anto- in public schools. The movenio and the University of Cali- ment started after a controverfornia, Berkley. Students and sial ban on ethnic studies in faculty had much to say on this Tucson, Ariz. which Diaz propossible educational amend- tested against along with other ment in Texas high schools. activists. “It makes complete sense in “Taking this course, speTexas for there to be a Mexican- cifically one that focused on American history course, con- Texas’ Mexican-American hissidering the demographics,” tory, would benefit not only said Marci McMahon, the grad- Mexican-Americans, but other uate certificate coordinator of ethnicities as well,” Gonzalez the Mexican-American Studies said. “It would benefit everyone Program at UTPA. “When stu- in knowing who the natives of dents learn about this history, our state are, and in respecting they learn about their culture, them as well.” about themselves; something While there are people who that isn’t typically found in an support the idea of MAS beAmerican history course.” ing taught in the public school Sonia Hernandez, associate system, students such as sophoprofessor of history and the more Crystal Navarro quesundergraduate director of the tioned the necessity and effec-
tiveness of the course. “I think American and Texas history are sufficient enough,” said the music education major. “Many people are instilled with the morals and values their parents teach them, and a class isn’t going to necessarily teach them tolerance if they don’t already have it. They have to learn that through other means in life.” While educators and activists push for this course to be added, members of the MAS Program at UTPA can empathize, due to its struggles. “I think it’s important to know the history of this program, and to know that it hasn’t been easy and we’ve had to fight for it ourselves,” McMahon said. “Students can’t just begin to learn about diversity and biculturalism in college, it has to start at the public schools.” Whether the members of the UTPA community are for or against it, those concerned will have to wait for the decision of the SBOE to see if MAS is deemed necessary in public school. Until then, UTPA faculty involved with the MAS program will continue to show their support for this possible academic advancement. “Texas has the opportunity to pave the way for other states to do what is right for our students,” Hernandez said. “How can it claim the benefits of rapid demographic growth, the political power of having a large Latino/a population, and not include this history in its public schools?”
Mexican-American studies... is part of the greater narrative of United States history and the history of the Americas.
THE PAN AMERICAN
Page 4
UT
# Le 22 A ft nd Fie y lde Fo r rtu
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#13 Alberto Morales 3rd Baseman
#29 Jesus Garcia Short Stop
January 30, 2014
January 30, 2014
THE PAN AMERICAN
Page 5
By Marco Torres The Pan American
With February just a couple of days away, some people count down to Valentine’s Day, but Feb. 14 also marks the start of Bronc baseball. Before Texas A&M-Corpus Christi comes to town, the Broncs have to see what they have and where they are before the season starts by playing against each other in the annual Green and White Series. In the first game of the Green and White Series Jan. 25, senior pitchers Sam Street and Matthew Harrell combined to strike out 11 while only allowing five hits in nine innings as the White Team defeated the Green Team 4-2 at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium. Street was 10-3 last year and earned Great West Conference Pitcher of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and AllGWC First Team honors. Street started the game for the White Team, allowing one run on two hits while striking out five batters in four innings while pitching. Harrell, a right-handed reliever who compiled a 2.04 earned run average last year, pitched the final five innings. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks while he struck out six batters, including four of the last five batters he faced. Head Coach Manny Mantrana explained that the mix of upper and lower classmen this year is good and has a lot of talent. Last year the Broncs had a record of 28-30 after going 30-22, the last winning season since 2000 when they went 31-19-1. “Communication is huge. If you want to be a good de-
PA
#1 Bryan Ramirez 2nd Baseman #34 Sam Street Pitcher
# Ce 14 A nt lex er H Fie ow lde e r
fensive team you have to communicate. And if you want to be a good offensive team you have to communicate when you’re in the dugout; what the pitcher is doing, what his fastball is doing, how does his curve ball break,” Mantrana said. “So communication not only coaches the players, but player-to-player during the game becomes vital if you want to be successful.” Sophomore second baseman Bryan Ramirez, a PSJA High graduate, led the White Team as a hitter by going three of four with a double and an RBI. Freshman pitcher Andrew Padron, a Nikki Rowe alum, started for the Green Team and had a rough first inning when the White Team scored three runs. Padron was able to settle down from there, retiring six of the final seven batters he faced, and struck out two in his outing. In game two of the Green and White World Series Jan. 26, the White Team scored six unanswered runs to beat the Green 6-3 in eight innings. After being down 3-0 after the first three innings, the White Team got their first run off junior Blake English with two outs left in the fourth inning to make the score 3-1. Before the eighth inning began, both teams
February # Ri 40 L gh ee tF R iel ios de r
2/14 vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 7 p.m. 2/15 vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (DH) 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. 2/16 vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 12 p.m. 2/21 vs Northwestern State University 7 p.m. 2/22 vs Prairie View A&M 3 p.m. 2/22 vs Northwestern State University 7 p.m. 2/23 vs Prairie View A&M 1 p.m.
Matthew Harrell
were informed that it would be the last inning due to National Collegiate Athletic Association regulations that covers the amount of time a team can practice in a given day. On the first pitch that shortstop Jesus Garcia saw, he hit the ball into the left field bullpen for a home run to put the White Team ahead. “Overall, for the first live action and live pitching these players have seen in six weeks, I thought they did pretty well against each other,” Mantrana said. The Broncs will open the regular season Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. when they host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in game one of a four-game series at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. Gates for the game open at 6 p.m. Mantrana knows that there are always tweaks to deal with. After seeing his players play the first game, he saw that hitters need to be a bit more aggressive with runners in scoring position. His pitchers have to be able to keep their ball down better, and the base runners need to take those extra bases in order for them to be successful. “Well, we want to compete, we want to have a good year and have the opportunity to be in the WAC tournament at the end of the year and have a chance at the WAC Championship and go to Regionals,”
March #8 Jacob Huckabay Catcher
#17 Victor Garcia 1st Baseman
3/7 vs Arlington Baptist College 6 p.m. 3/8 vs Arlington Baptist College 7 p.m. 3/9 vs Arlington Baptist College 1 p.m. 3/21 vs New Mexico State University* 7 p.m. 3/22 vs New Mexico State University* 6 p.m. 3/23 vs New Mexico State University* 1 p.m. Home games will be held at Edinburg Baseball Stadium *Conference*
Jon
THE PAN AMERICAN
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UT
# Le 22 A ft nd Fie y lde Fo r rtu
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#13 Alberto Morales 3rd Baseman
#29 Jesus Garcia Short Stop
January 30, 2014
January 30, 2014
THE PAN AMERICAN
Page 5
By Marco Torres The Pan American
With February just a couple of days away, some people count down to Valentine’s Day, but Feb. 14 also marks the start of Bronc baseball. Before Texas A&M-Corpus Christi comes to town, the Broncs have to see what they have and where they are before the season starts by playing against each other in the annual Green and White Series. In the first game of the Green and White Series Jan. 25, senior pitchers Sam Street and Matthew Harrell combined to strike out 11 while only allowing five hits in nine innings as the White Team defeated the Green Team 4-2 at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium. Street was 10-3 last year and earned Great West Conference Pitcher of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and AllGWC First Team honors. Street started the game for the White Team, allowing one run on two hits while striking out five batters in four innings while pitching. Harrell, a right-handed reliever who compiled a 2.04 earned run average last year, pitched the final five innings. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks while he struck out six batters, including four of the last five batters he faced. Head Coach Manny Mantrana explained that the mix of upper and lower classmen this year is good and has a lot of talent. Last year the Broncs had a record of 28-30 after going 30-22, the last winning season since 2000 when they went 31-19-1. “Communication is huge. If you want to be a good de-
PA
#1 Bryan Ramirez 2nd Baseman #34 Sam Street Pitcher
# Ce 14 A nt lex er H Fie ow lde e r
fensive team you have to communicate. And if you want to be a good offensive team you have to communicate when you’re in the dugout; what the pitcher is doing, what his fastball is doing, how does his curve ball break,” Mantrana said. “So communication not only coaches the players, but player-to-player during the game becomes vital if you want to be successful.” Sophomore second baseman Bryan Ramirez, a PSJA High graduate, led the White Team as a hitter by going three of four with a double and an RBI. Freshman pitcher Andrew Padron, a Nikki Rowe alum, started for the Green Team and had a rough first inning when the White Team scored three runs. Padron was able to settle down from there, retiring six of the final seven batters he faced, and struck out two in his outing. In game two of the Green and White World Series Jan. 26, the White Team scored six unanswered runs to beat the Green 6-3 in eight innings. After being down 3-0 after the first three innings, the White Team got their first run off junior Blake English with two outs left in the fourth inning to make the score 3-1. Before the eighth inning began, both teams
February # Ri 40 L gh ee tF R iel ios de r
2/14 vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 7 p.m. 2/15 vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (DH) 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. 2/16 vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 12 p.m. 2/21 vs Northwestern State University 7 p.m. 2/22 vs Prairie View A&M 3 p.m. 2/22 vs Northwestern State University 7 p.m. 2/23 vs Prairie View A&M 1 p.m.
Matthew Harrell
were informed that it would be the last inning due to National Collegiate Athletic Association regulations that covers the amount of time a team can practice in a given day. On the first pitch that shortstop Jesus Garcia saw, he hit the ball into the left field bullpen for a home run to put the White Team ahead. “Overall, for the first live action and live pitching these players have seen in six weeks, I thought they did pretty well against each other,” Mantrana said. The Broncs will open the regular season Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. when they host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in game one of a four-game series at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. Gates for the game open at 6 p.m. Mantrana knows that there are always tweaks to deal with. After seeing his players play the first game, he saw that hitters need to be a bit more aggressive with runners in scoring position. His pitchers have to be able to keep their ball down better, and the base runners need to take those extra bases in order for them to be successful. “Well, we want to compete, we want to have a good year and have the opportunity to be in the WAC tournament at the end of the year and have a chance at the WAC Championship and go to Regionals,”
March #8 Jacob Huckabay Catcher
#17 Victor Garcia 1st Baseman
3/7 vs Arlington Baptist College 6 p.m. 3/8 vs Arlington Baptist College 7 p.m. 3/9 vs Arlington Baptist College 1 p.m. 3/21 vs New Mexico State University* 7 p.m. 3/22 vs New Mexico State University* 6 p.m. 3/23 vs New Mexico State University* 1 p.m. Home games will be held at Edinburg Baseball Stadium *Conference*
Jon
6
arts & life
January 30, 2014
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Blossom like a butterfly “This is my passion. I love it when I can teach others to hold a passion for music and use it as a way of expressing their culture,” she said. “It’s a demonstration of their ethnicity.” For mass communication major Beatriz Guevara, playing guitar has been a hobby of hers since sixth grade and it later became her passion when she joined Rio Grande City High School’s Mariachi Cascabel. After graduating in 2011, she auditioned for UTPA’s Mariachi Aztlan, but was unable to join due to limited spots. As Guevara’s college life continued, she found herself as a reporter for Bronc Radio and TV and later became its news director. The 20-year-old enjoyed her time assigning stories to new reporters and encouraging their progress, but missed being surrounded by mariachi tunes. “It’s just a fullness, you know, when harmony, voices and instruments just come together. People clapping when you’re done,” the senior said. “I’ve met famous mariachi players and they come up to you and they tell you that your playing was ‘just awesome!’ That’s what pumps you up to
stay motivated.” Along with encouraging young female musicians, Mariachi Mariposas provides women of all ages with the opportunity to be in a mariachi group, an option many women didn’t have in their youth. Today, the Mariposas are 14 women, ranging from 18 to 44 years old. OUT OF THE COCOON After Garcia’s decision to start an all-female mariachi band, she began phoning old friends who played with her in UTPA’s Mariachi Aztlan. In a matter of days, she had brought a complete group of female mariachi players together. In August 2012, the name Mariachi Mariposas was chosen to fit the essence of growth, soul and hope, according to Garcia. As a way of spreading joy through cultural music, Garcia huddled around her laptop and created Facebook and YouTube pages for the public to enjoy. Along with a new name to distinguish themselves, the Mariposas soon began practicing in a member’s home in Sharyland. Crammed into a
small space, the Mariposas did not complain about practicing four hours a week. Time was put into learning new music as well as getting the ladies acquainted with one another, something Garcia thought was essential to form a bond. The time and effort that went into practicing and promoting paid off when the Mariposas landed appearances
It’s just a fullness, you know, when harmony, voices and instruments just come together. - Beatriz Guevara Mariachi guitarist
on Spanish TV network Noticias Univision and Channel 4 News. The Mariposas captured the hearts of viewers and managed to snag their first gig in December 2012. “It’s an adrenaline rush when you play,” said Elizabeth Salinas, an administrative assistant in the UTPA philosophy department and violinist for the Mariposas. “When you’re doing a performance, you have all these people just staring at
EVENT CALENDAR Jan. 31
Feb. 1
Gene Watson visits the Rio Grande Valley
Amistades Concert Series
Third Annual Angels of Love Gala
The country singer with several hits in the ‘70s and ‘80s comes to the Valley with T.G. Sheppard and Moe Bandy.
Tickets $5. Limited seating. Both South Texas College’s group and Grupo Folklorico Tizatlan from University of Texas at Brownsville will perform.
Auctions and a fashion show will be included in the fundraiser. The Gala will fund their Emergency Shelter Capitol Campaign.
Jan. 31
Time: All-day event Time: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Place: Pharr Convention Place: Edinburg City Audi- Place: Mario’s Banquet torium and Conference Center, Center Mission
Feb. 1
Feb. 1
you…it’s all very fulfilling.” Whispers of the female group spread and the Mariposas began receiving calls from schools across the Rio Grande Valley, such as Robert Vela High School and Palmview High School. Garcia believes that their music should be shared with the world in order to spread their message “as proud ambassadors of cultural music.”
Feb. 5
Sixth Annual Chili’s We Need Words presents: Poetically Yours Showdown Cookoff
Winter Texan Appreciation Day
poetry collective Free cook-off and fami- The ly festival, with live music throws its first event of the new year. Poetry, art and and more. live music. Free, all ages.
Winter Texans will be able to enter at a discounted rate with proof of out-ofstate residence. Free activities and door prizes will be available.
Time: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Time: 7:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Place: Britton Avenue, Rio Place: Infusions Eats and Place: Glady’s Porter Zoo, Brownsville Grande City Drinks, McAllen
“(The Mariposas) believe in the importance of education and we promote mariachi education,” said the violinist. “It’s important for students to see what is out there for them once they achieve graduation…it’s the most important work we do.” Talk of the female group became louder, reaching as far as Corpus Christi. The Mariachi’s career climbed to the top when they found themselves headlining the Edinburg Arts Free
Summ e r Concert with Roy Escobedo and Gabriel Garcia in July 2013. “I still get nervous after all these years, but it’s such an emotional feeling to know that people have purchased a ticket to see your talent,” Garcia said. “I feel very grateful and proud to be able to give the people a little piece of our traditional and cultural music.” FUTURE HITS After about two years of performing both public and private events, the Mariposas are ready to put their skills to the test by performing in their first competition this March. According to Garcia, the Mariachi Mariposas were chosen out of six artists throughout the state of Texas to perform at the event. Due to the rules regarding the competition, participants cannot state who they are or mention the name of the event until the winners have
been announced at the event . If any entrees are found promoting prior to the event, they will not be allowed to compete. The Mariposas are eager to talk about the competition and look forward to their journey. “We have future plans and we hope to one day be up there with the names of Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles and Mariachi Divas,” Guevara said. “All those female mariachis have made it all the way to the Grammys. That’s our dream and that’s what we’re working for.” With their competition around the corner, the women have been practicing harder than ever in order to take home first place. The band also plans to release a CD of original music that fans can look forward to hearing later this year.
sports
January 30, 2014
SEATTLE RECORD 13-3 HEAD COACH Pete Carroll QUARTERBACK Russell Wilson QB RATING 89.1 TD TO INT RATIO 26 TD’S TO 9 INT’S DEFENSE- 1ST YARDS 273.6 (1ST IN NFL) POINTS14.4 (1ST IN NFL) PASS YARDS ALLOWED 172.6 (1ST IN NFL) RUSH YARDS ALLOWED 101.6 (7TH IN NFL) OFFENSE- 17TH POINTS 26.1 (9TH IN NFL) YARDS 339.0 (17TH IN NFL) PASSING YARDS PER GAME 202.2 (26TH IN NFL) RUSH YARDS PER GAME 136.8 (4TH IN NFL) 3RD DOWN CONVERSIONS 37%
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By Kristela Garza The Pan American
DENVER RECORD 13-3 HEAD COACH John Fox QUARTERBACK Peyton Manning QB RATING 115.1 TD TO INT RATIO 55 TD’S TO 10 INT’S DEFENSE- 19TH YARDS 356.0 (19TH IN NFL) POINTS 24.9 (22ND IN NFL) PASS YARDS ALLOWED 254.4 (27TH IN NFL) RUSH YARDS ALLOWED 101.6 (8TH IN NFL)
The Broncs were able to move ahead of the New Mexico State Aggies in the Western Athletic Conference with a victory, putting them in third place. After a three-game losing streak, the UTPA women’s basketball team pulled together during the second half for a 66-61 win Jan. 25 at the UTPA Field House. In winning, the team added one more notch to their initial WAC season, and matched the best record after 19 games. The Broncs’ only other 10-9 start was in 2008-09. According to records, if the Broncs win their next two games, they will have the best season record through 21 games in program history. They play against second place holders in the WAC Conference, Utah Valley University in Orem, Ut. Jan 30. Perhaps the team can carve out the first winning record in history; a couple of .500 years, the last coming in 2004-05 are the best to date. But in order to do so, according to junior point guard Jasmine Thompson, the Broncs need to band together to keep their home field from getting
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l y b y overrun. In this case, against the Aggies, it worked, as they junior Tonisha Walker at 12. used their defense as a focal Keeping the game at its pace, point to ensure a strong offen- freshmen Shawnte Goff rebounded 11 times and juniorsive attack. “We made a lot of mistakes,” Brittney Bush followed close said Thompson, a Copper- suit at 10. With the scoreboard in the red, as Cove, Texas native, who avit was in the last five minutes that the game took a heated turn. It was a constant fly back as the Broncs rebounded and ran the ball out to maintain their five-point lead. - Jasmine Thompson “We needed a Junior point guard win,” said Walker, who is from eraged 12.1 points per game Gardner, Ks. and averages 6.4 this year. “But we knew that we couldn’t get our head down, points per game. “We have to we had to keep playing defense. protect our home court, we (We had to) keep going cause can’t let anyone come in and it’s always time on the clock… just win…we needed this win you got to take it one shot at a so we could go back on the time. We just knew we had to road.” With the much needed vickeep guarding. As long as we tory in hand, the team will soon guard, our offense will come.” return home Feb. 6 against SeAs Thompson predicted, the attle University to play at the points started to mount up. Despite the constant fight, the UTPA Field House. Broncs were never in the lead by more than three points. It was a close game all the way. Thompson led the charge with 14 total points, followed close-
We just knew we had to keep guarding, as long as we guard our offense will come.
OFFENSE- 1ST POINTS 37.9 (1ST IN NFL) YARDS 457.3 (1ST IN NFL) PASSING YARDS PER GAME 340.2 (1ST IN NFL) RUSH YARDS PER GAME 117.1 (15TH IN NFL) 3RD DOWN CONVERSIONS 46%
I like Pete Carroll, the coach, the quarterback and-probably not the best thing to say-but I like Richard Sherman. He backs his play up and does everything for a reason, whether you like it or not. - Brandon Stokes Head tennis coach
Junior guard T’Ondria Nolen brings the ball upcourt as the Broncs defeat the New Mexico State Aggies 66-61 Jan. 25 at the UTPA Field House.
Omar Casas/The Pan American
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January 30, 2014
2/12/14
2/12/14
A SPECIAL Invitation for YOU!! Mr. Robert Pena, Jr., Candidate for Hidalgo County Democratic Party Chair
Would like to Meet YOU!!! EVENT: CANDIDATE FAIR
Hosted by: UTPA Environmental Awareness Club WHEN: TODAY!!!! ~ January 30th, 2014 WHERE: UTPA Library Lawn TIME: 11:00 AM ~ 1:00 PM Mr. Pena would like to express a Special Thanks to the Environmental Awareness Club, Students, Faculty & Staff of UTPA for coordinating this great event!!!!
LEAC