Civil War trail
RGV to host first of its kind in Texas
Pages 4-5
Volume 70, No. 21
February 27, 2014
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By Jose S. De Leon III The Pan American Kevin Galaviz, a senior writing tutor at the UTPA Writing Center, tries not to worry about his appearance, but finds it hard. “I’m always paranoid about what people think of me. I’m always thinking that someone I’m walking by is judging me, so I just avoid eye contact most
of the time when I’m in public,” said the 24-year-old Georgia native. “Whenever I’m walking in public and I hear someone I passed laugh, I worry they’re laughing at me.” Galaviz said this behavior started in 1996 when he was 16. That was when his stepfather verbally abused him by calling him “obese.”
“(He) would always abuse me psychologically, and I never put much thought into my body until he called me that,” the English major said. “It’s something that scarred me back then, and now I have all these negative, self-conscious thoughts about myself.” The following year Galaviz was diagnosed with body
dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a mental disorder in which someone exhibits obsessive behavior about his or her appearance, according to the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School’s Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Related Disorders Program. According to Kristin Croyle, a UTPA psychology profes-
sor, people suffering from this disorder can develop a severe preoccupation with their body image. Croyle said these people often feel so depressed and hopeless about their bodies that they may go to drastic measures to fix them, such as developing eating disorders.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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opinion
February 27, 2014
Night owl problems
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Francisco Rodriguez Design Editor
Javier Salinas lines up a shot in the Student Union game room Feb. 26. Salinas, a pre-med freshmen, stopped by the game room with a friend to play some pool, deciding to stay inside because of the cold weather.
Jon Nutt/The Pan American
Alex Howe slides into second base at the UTPA vs. Prairie View A&M game Feb. 23. Howe, senior outfielder, was awarded the Western Athletic Conference Hitter of the Week Feb. 17-24.
Jon Nutt/The Pan American
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Why wants to go watch Dangerous Liaisons with me It’s gonna be good #6thFan #UTPA -@waldolove1000 Took a great nap in the library. -@ LudyGeex3
WOOOOOOHHHH!!!!!! Aced my physics AND cal 2 test this week!!!!! -@TheDamaso Eng test today... I dont work well under pressure! Like, the last 10 minutes I finally know what I’m gunna write! :p Haha! #UTPA #6thFan -@WhiteLightning
Changing sleep habits to meet deadlines
February31, 27,2013 2014 January
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Founding medical school dean makes first visit to UTPA Photo and story by Andrew Vera The Pan American The newly appointed dean of the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley medical school greeted attendees of his first meeting at UTPA Wednesday. He opened by saying when he
met with the medical school‘s Dean Search Committee, he’d felt like one of the Pointer Sisters, a mainstream musical group in the 1970s and 1980s. As the crowd in the University Ballroom waited for an explanation, Dr. Francisco Fernandez said, “I’m so excited and
Cuba native Dr. Francisco Fernandez addresses students, faculty and community members Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the University Ballroom during his first visit to UTPA.
I just can’t hide it. I’m about to lose control and I think I like it”— lyrics to the Pointer Sisters’ 1982 hit song “I’m so excited,” expressing his excitement about being considered for the role as founding dean of the new school of medicine. Fernandez is currently a professor and chairman of psychiatry and neurosciences at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa and was announced as the founding dean Feb. 14. He made his first visit to UTPA Wednesday and was joined by University President Robert Nelsen and University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa. In a packed room of more than 200 people, Fernandez addressed faculty, staff, students and community members. He expressed his gratitude to the Board of Regents for selecting him and spoke about future plans to work with the community to make the UT-RGV medical school a success. “I’m going to need you to partner with me,” Fernandez said. “I’m going to need your wisdom and your good counsel
Bridging the gap By Cynthia Rael The Pan American As students and faculty took their seats in the dimming UTPA Student Union auditorium, facts on income equality in the U.S. began to unravel on the screen. A film screening of the documentary Inequality for All took place in the Auditorium Feb. 20 and nearly 100 guests attended. The film was made by University of California-Berkeley professor and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich who examined the reasons behind income inequality in the country and the disappearing middle class. The documentary raised questions about the uneven distribution of income in the economy and revealed many statistics on the matter. One was that the U.S. has the fourth-highest degree of wealth-inequality in the world, with the 400 richest Americans having more money than the bottom 150 million combined. Following the film was a panel discussion consisting of UTPA President Robert Nelsen, CEO of Knapp Community Care Foundation (KCCF) Bonnie Gonzalez, Rio Grande Valley Equal Voice Network Weaver Michael Seifert, UTPA assistant
professor of sociology Stephen Merino and McAllen Independent School District board member Erica de la Garza-Lopez. The panel members commented on the film’s subject and answered audience questions. The moderator for the panel was Lisa Cardoza, UTPA chief of staff and governmental relations officer. The event was open to the UTPA community and was sponsored by the Office of the President, the UTPA Department of Sociology and UTPA’s Outreach and Community Partnerships. The film was screened at 150 college and university campuses throughout the country, such as Ohio State and Boston College, all on the same day. Reactions to the film ranged from shock after seeing statistics in the film to hopefulness from the movie’s closing message of potential change. Nelsen explained his hope for change after seeing the film. “The first time I saw this movie, the phrase that stuck with me is that ‘this is not a zero-sum game, we can all live in it,’ because I think often we think it is a zero-sum game, like it’s the rich versus the poor and we look at it simply that way,” Nelsen said. “Just taxing the rich isn’t
and I really, truly will appreciate it.” The Tufts Medical School graduate has been chairman in Tampa since September 2002, but is no stranger to Texas. He served as a faculty member for the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from 1984 to 1997. While he said the move is bittersweet for him, he feels his new role as medical school dean will benefit the University of South Florida College of Medicine as well. “It’s not easy (to leave), especially when you were there for 12 years and helped build the research infrastructure and the training programs, and so it’s difficult,” Fernandez told The Pan American. “But what we do here (at UT-RGV) will be used in Tampa, so a little piece will go back.” The creators of the new UTRGV School of Medicine have hopes of it being an emerging research institute. While this status will take time to attain, other medical schools around the country, such as the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, will be able
to reap the benefits of such research. Also present at the meeting were more than 30 physician assistant graduate students. Donned in white lab coats, the students stood out among the crowd and were recognized by Fernandez. He thanked them for being present and noted that students are the reason behind the creation of the UT-RGV medical school. Javier Suarez, a graduate student in the physician assistant program, said the medical school is the kind of progression the Valley needed. He also noted that the appointing of the founding dean is the first step toward a better economy and quality of life for Valley residents. “I think it would be a great opportunity now that UT-RGV will be able to provide its own medical school so we can have a lot of students stay home and stay in the forefront of healthcare,” Suarez said. “Overall in the state, we (the RGV) have the lowest quality of healthcare, so it would be a big improvement.” At the end of the event, Fernandez opened up for questions
from the audience. While most people made comments on their appreciation of his acceptance of the position, one audience member asked if a question in Spanish would be appropriate. Fernandez responded, “Sí.” Born in Cuba and raised in New York State as a naturalized U.S. citizen, Fernandez is fluent in both English and Spanish. His wife of 36 years, Susan, is an educational consultant and expert on dyslexia. She will be joining him in the Valley as he embarks on his new role as the UT-RGV School of Medicine founding dean. The new medical school will not enroll its first class until fall 2016, but Fernandez said his job as dean will begin as early as this April, as he searches for key members that will help facilitate the opening of the medical school. “I promise you one thing: I will not let you down,” Fernandez said. “So thank you for this opportunity.”
UTPA screens national film on income inequality
going to do it. It’s going to take a lot more than that, and we’ve got to do it together.” Possible solutions brought up in the film were discussed by panel members. These ranged from changing tax policies to investing more in education.Gonzalez, one of Reich’s former students at Berkeley, elaborated on her belief that education is the key. “What resonated with me about this film, and has resonated with me for the last ten years, being a workforce developer and involved in a community that has had phenomenal growth opportunities, is the fact that inequality, economic inequality and daily inequality, is linked to education,” Gonzalez said. “How do we help people understand that if you are not prepared, you will not be able to take advantage of the economic opportunities in a community like the Rio Grande Valley?” Garza-Lopez agreed with Gonzalez that the answer to solving income inequality is education reform. “I know that it’s not a war on the classes, it’s a war on education and a war on the states and federal government funding on education,” Garza-Lopez said. “In that brief period where
we have students from K-12, we she was dead-on with education try’s 0.42 rate. have to make them ready for and getting our little ones betDespite mixed reactions to when they’re going to college or ter prepared for the workforce.” the film and this issue, individto the career workforce.” The RGV has a poverty rate uals such as Merino expressed a While education was dis- of 34.5 percent. The median in- positive outlook on addressing cussed as a solution, Nelsen come for the McAllen-Edin- the situation. voiced his belief that voting is al- burg-Mission metropolitan area “The good news is that we can so the answer. in 2012 was $33,761 while the change the rules, whether it’s the “We call (education) the great percentage of residents with an minimum wage, fairer tax polequalizer and it is, but if there income of more than $200,000 icies that will keep a virtuous aren’t any jobs, then it’s not,” was 1.8 percent. The Gini In- cycle going, expanding educathe president said. “I hope every dex, which measures inequali- tion or to invest in the middle one of you out here is going to ty of wealth from zero to one - class,” Merino said. “That’s the go vote at that voting booth out zero being perfect equality and key, emphasizing this core valthere, because that is one of the one being maximum inequal- ue that we (Americans) have of most important things you’re ity - gave the Valley a score of equal opportunity.“ going to do and if we don’t 0.4977 compared to the counchange the laws and change them radically, we won’t succeed.” One of the students who saw the film, senior Jessica Estrada, expressed her dissatisfaction with the state of the country’s wealth inequality. “I thought it was very interesting and I was very disappointed in America for being so horrible to its Jon Nutt/The Pan American middle class,” the biology major said. “I (From left to right) Bonnie Gonzalez, Michael Seifert, University President really like what Erica Robert Nelsen, Stephen Merino, Erica de la Garza-Lopez answer questions (de la Garza-Lopez) asked by moderator Lisa Cardoza (far right) on the film Inequality For All. All had to say, I thought five panelists are specialists in the field of either education or sociology.
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February 27, 2014
THE PAN AMERICAN
February 27, 2014
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THE PAN AMERICAN
The Rio Grande Valley’s blood, sweat and tears
UTPA professors help develop first Civil War trail in Texas By Ashley Hernandez The Pan American
The Battle at Palmito Hill, fought just outside of Brownsville May 12-13, 1865, is known as the last land battle of the Civil War. However, citizens in the Rio Grande Valley may be surprised to find that several other Civil War skirmishes and battles took place across the area. In order to enlighten the public on the historically-significant role the Valley played in the Civil War, the Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools program (CHAPS) at UTPA is paving the way for the development of a virtual RGV Civil War Trail consisting of a trail map, podcasts and a website. For example, in November 1863, 7,000 soldiers, commanded by Union Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, landed at the mouth of the Rio Grande and captured Brownsville, according to the Texas State Historical Association. In retaliation, Gen. John B. Magruder called upon state and Confederate authorities to halt the advances of Banks, who had captured another column along the coast of Corpus Christi, Aransas Pass and the Matagorda peninsula. In the confrontation that transpired between Union and Confederate forces, an estimated 15 battles and skirmishes occurred on RGV soil. The proposed trail is set to launch in May 2015 and although states such as West Virginia and Tennessee have
Civil War trails, the RGV version will be the first of its kind in Texas. According to CHAPS project coordinators Christopher Miller and Russell Skowronek, the goal is to present the trail during the re-enactment of the Battle of Palmito Ranch at Palmito Hill. The re-enactment is to be held on its 150th anniversary and should attract visitors from across the nation to the Valley.
Skowronek, a professor of history and philosophy at UTPA, said the idea of creating a RGV Civil War Trail started when his outof-state friend visited the Valley and was introduced to Brownsville and the rest of the RGV. “My friend comes down from Kentucky and he looks at these forts from the Civil War and says, ‘Oh my god, these forts
UTPA, and Skowronek started discussing how they could feature the Valley’s link to the Civil War long after the re-enactment of the Battle of Palmito Ranch commences. They realized the best method was to create a virtual trail to not only engage, but also inform. “As two broken-down historians, we think, ‘what do we leave behind after all of this?’” Skowronek said.
The process to make the RGV Civil War Trail has been underway since summer 2012, but due to monetary reasons the project has had several delays. While the Summerlee Foundation - an organization that provides grants for the protection of animals and the study and preservation of Texas history - is helping CHAPS develop the trail, funds from local residents, visitors, businesses and civic organizations are needed for the completion and debut of the trail at the Battle of Palmito Ranch re-enactment.
were built from people who came from Camp Nelson in Kentucky,’” Skowronek said. “‘This is really great, you’ve got some really great stuff down here,’ and I look at him and think ‘Really?’ I had never thought about that.” Having experienced a newfound appreciation for the Valley’s connection with the Civil War, Skowronek sat down with his colleague Miller and began to brainstorm on how they could inform the community about this historical gem. Miller, a professor of history and philosophy at
“Once the re-enactment is done and they fold up their tents, what’s left behind? And we thought this is the ideal moment to try to put something together that will be permanent.” The initiative for the RGV Civil War Trail was established by focusing on a 40-year period of the Civil War and a 200-mile radius from Laredo to Brownsville, where a number of battles occurred. However, compiling the information is different from creating the media for dispersing the content said Miller, who noted that the project requires a team
of web designers and graphic artists to create a mockup of a webpage and brochures. “Our position is that we are historians, we can help you interpret, but we aren’t going to tell you what’s important,” Miller said. “We are facilitators, not developers and the main point that we are trying to get across to people is that we aren’t the referees of your heritage, we’re just here to help struc-
places and set up podcasts so that you could dial the number from your cellphone that’s on the company brochure and listen to the podcast. The goal is to use this same technology for the Civil War Trail.” Skowronek said providing the experience of interacting with local history through technology enables the RGV Civil War Trail to have a positive economic impact on the region. This is done by educating tourists about the economic value of sustaining historical sites and the legacy embeded within them. For example, Texas hosts more than 75 percent of the bird species in the country, according to the Parks and Wildlife Department. In addition, 70 percent of bird watchers visiting the Texas Francisco Rodriguez/The Pan American coast are from out-of-state ture (it).” and spend $20 million Miller said the plan is to each year visiting the Lautilize multiple media plat- guna Atascosa National forms that people can enjoy Wildlife Refuge in the from different technological RGV. devices, such as cellphones. “We are building on One tool is technology that top of eco-tourism and the National Park Service heritage tourism,” Skowimplemented for their Mex- ronek said. “We never apican-American War Trail preciate what we have in and introduced to both our own backyards. We Miller, and Skowronek. go to work and you hear “(The National Park Ser- the stories down here, but vice) set this thing up and we hardly pay attention it’s a cellphone-driven tour to it.” to mark the trail that led to the first battle of the Mexican-American War,” Miller said. “And what they did was essentially identify key
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February 27, 2014
THE PAN AMERICAN
February 27, 2014
Page 5
THE PAN AMERICAN
The Rio Grande Valley’s blood, sweat and tears
UTPA professors help develop first Civil War trail in Texas By Ashley Hernandez The Pan American
The Battle at Palmito Hill, fought just outside of Brownsville May 12-13, 1865, is known as the last land battle of the Civil War. However, citizens in the Rio Grande Valley may be surprised to find that several other Civil War skirmishes and battles took place across the area. In order to enlighten the public on the historically-significant role the Valley played in the Civil War, the Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools program (CHAPS) at UTPA is paving the way for the development of a virtual RGV Civil War Trail consisting of a trail map, podcasts and a website. For example, in November 1863, 7,000 soldiers, commanded by Union Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, landed at the mouth of the Rio Grande and captured Brownsville, according to the Texas State Historical Association. In retaliation, Gen. John B. Magruder called upon state and Confederate authorities to halt the advances of Banks, who had captured another column along the coast of Corpus Christi, Aransas Pass and the Matagorda peninsula. In the confrontation that transpired between Union and Confederate forces, an estimated 15 battles and skirmishes occurred on RGV soil. The proposed trail is set to launch in May 2015 and although states such as West Virginia and Tennessee have
Civil War trails, the RGV version will be the first of its kind in Texas. According to CHAPS project coordinators Christopher Miller and Russell Skowronek, the goal is to present the trail during the re-enactment of the Battle of Palmito Ranch at Palmito Hill. The re-enactment is to be held on its 150th anniversary and should attract visitors from across the nation to the Valley.
Skowronek, a professor of history and philosophy at UTPA, said the idea of creating a RGV Civil War Trail started when his outof-state friend visited the Valley and was introduced to Brownsville and the rest of the RGV. “My friend comes down from Kentucky and he looks at these forts from the Civil War and says, ‘Oh my god, these forts
UTPA, and Skowronek started discussing how they could feature the Valley’s link to the Civil War long after the re-enactment of the Battle of Palmito Ranch commences. They realized the best method was to create a virtual trail to not only engage, but also inform. “As two broken-down historians, we think, ‘what do we leave behind after all of this?’” Skowronek said.
The process to make the RGV Civil War Trail has been underway since summer 2012, but due to monetary reasons the project has had several delays. While the Summerlee Foundation - an organization that provides grants for the protection of animals and the study and preservation of Texas history - is helping CHAPS develop the trail, funds from local residents, visitors, businesses and civic organizations are needed for the completion and debut of the trail at the Battle of Palmito Ranch re-enactment.
were built from people who came from Camp Nelson in Kentucky,’” Skowronek said. “‘This is really great, you’ve got some really great stuff down here,’ and I look at him and think ‘Really?’ I had never thought about that.” Having experienced a newfound appreciation for the Valley’s connection with the Civil War, Skowronek sat down with his colleague Miller and began to brainstorm on how they could inform the community about this historical gem. Miller, a professor of history and philosophy at
“Once the re-enactment is done and they fold up their tents, what’s left behind? And we thought this is the ideal moment to try to put something together that will be permanent.” The initiative for the RGV Civil War Trail was established by focusing on a 40-year period of the Civil War and a 200-mile radius from Laredo to Brownsville, where a number of battles occurred. However, compiling the information is different from creating the media for dispersing the content said Miller, who noted that the project requires a team
of web designers and graphic artists to create a mockup of a webpage and brochures. “Our position is that we are historians, we can help you interpret, but we aren’t going to tell you what’s important,” Miller said. “We are facilitators, not developers and the main point that we are trying to get across to people is that we aren’t the referees of your heritage, we’re just here to help struc-
places and set up podcasts so that you could dial the number from your cellphone that’s on the company brochure and listen to the podcast. The goal is to use this same technology for the Civil War Trail.” Skowronek said providing the experience of interacting with local history through technology enables the RGV Civil War Trail to have a positive economic impact on the region. This is done by educating tourists about the economic value of sustaining historical sites and the legacy embeded within them. For example, Texas hosts more than 75 percent of the bird species in the country, according to the Parks and Wildlife Department. In addition, 70 percent of bird watchers visiting the Texas Francisco Rodriguez/The Pan American coast are from out-of-state ture (it).” and spend $20 million Miller said the plan is to each year visiting the Lautilize multiple media plat- guna Atascosa National forms that people can enjoy Wildlife Refuge in the from different technological RGV. devices, such as cellphones. “We are building on One tool is technology that top of eco-tourism and the National Park Service heritage tourism,” Skowimplemented for their Mex- ronek said. “We never apican-American War Trail preciate what we have in and introduced to both our own backyards. We Miller, and Skowronek. go to work and you hear “(The National Park Ser- the stories down here, but vice) set this thing up and we hardly pay attention it’s a cellphone-driven tour to it.” to mark the trail that led to the first battle of the Mexican-American War,” Miller said. “And what they did was essentially identify key
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6 February 27, 2014 EXPECTATIONS From page 1
Eating disorder website, Something Fishy, reports that an estimated 8 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder. One in 10 people diagnosed are male. “People who are strongly affected by body image issues don’t talk about it because they’re embarrassed,” said Croyle, the vice provost for undergraduate education. “If you feel ugly or ashamed about something, it’s hard to talk about it. They’re not allowing themselves to see
cent of college-age women feel pressured to be a certain weight. UTPA junior Regina Perez said she is bothered by the fact that she may lose her fit, 5-foot-3 physique. “I’m worried about getting old and gaining weight, and losing the shape and energy I already have,” the 20-yearold studio art and philosophy double major said. “I have to constantly remind myself that I shouldn’t have to worry about my body because that’s
Body image issues aren’t something where all of the sudden you wake up one day and you’re cured. - Kim Nguyen-Finn UTPA counselor
their self-worth because they’re only focusing on one negative thing about themselves. The only people that can know if something is wrong are close friends and family members.” According to non-profit organization, Do Something, 58 per-
not important.” Low self-esteem, negative influences from other people or traumatizing childhood events can lead to dissatisfaction with appearance, according to the Cleveland Clinic website. Croyle, a graduate of the
arts & life University of Montana who has been at UTPA since 2002, explained that people with body image issues can be hard on themselves due to the impractical expectations they set for themselves. “People can be incredibly unrealistic about themselves. They can care more about how they look like than other people do,” she said. “Everyone feels this way, but sometimes people can acknowledge they have flaws and live with it because they also acknowledge that they have several strengths. If they can’t see that and this negativity starts to dominate them, that’s when people should be concerned.” SEEKING TREATMENT Croyle recommends that people look for warning signs in individuals suffering from BDD. These include a drastic change of mood, becoming more self-conscious about one’s looks and displaying socially avoidant behaviors, such as not wanting to go out in public, according to the Cleve-
land Clinic website. Galaviz said that coming out as gay four years ago added to his stress. According to a 2012 article by the UK-based LGBT news outlet Pink News, 48 percent of gay men would sacrifice a year or more of their lives in exchange for a perfect body. “People in the LGBT community...can be so judgemental,” he said. “There’s always those preconceived notions about how gay men have perfect bodies, or how gay men need to be placed in a certain category, like ‘bears’ (a large, hairy gay man), ‘twinks’ (a young, thin gay man), etc. I feel as if I had to box myself into one of those categories when I first came out, and I didn’t like that.” In a study by Brown University, more than 74 percent of women stated that they thought about their weight or appearance “all the time” or “frequently.” Fourty-six percent of the men surveyed responded the same way. UTPA counselor Kim Nguyen-Finn isn’t surprised that many
people suffering from bodyimage disorders are college students. According to the clinical therapist, college is a transformative time for them. “For many young adults, college is a time of self-discovery,” the San Antonio native said. “College marks a certain point in their life where they realize that they need to know who they are and who they want to be for the rest of their lives.” According to Nguyen-Finn, men also face pressure in regards to their image. However, as a 2012 article from The Examiner explained, a stigma surrounding men with body image disorders exists because these issues are usually categorized as a “female problem.” This causes men to be less likely to report or admit the issue, creating fewer precedents for treatment of males. Nguyen-Finn acknowledges that treatment can be difficult, but recommends people do what they can to stick with it. “Body image issues aren’t something where all of the sudden you wake up one day and
you’re cured,” she said. “It’s not like a light switch that suddenly makes you see clearly. It’s more like a dimmer switch, one that’s turned slowly, that takes a while to get there. There will be some drawbacks and moments where you feel as if you’ve failed, but the best course of action is to stay on track and keep at it. It does get better.” Galaviz sought out counseling last semester due to stress brought on by BDD as well as family issues and an increase in his workload at school. He said he is now focusing on improving himself. “I just felt overwhelmed by everything and realized that I was just making myself depressed,” he said. “I realized that no one was fighting for me, so I had to do it myself. I don’t want to live up to anyone’s standards anymore. I want to create my own.” The UTPA Counseling and Psychological Services is located in Room 109 in the University Center. Counseling is free for all students.
UTPA Theatre Department prepares for new season By Jose S. De Leon III The Pan American With the spring semester in full swing, the UTPA Theatre Department is set to premiere three productions for this semester: Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Real Women Have Curves, and Twelve Dancing Princesses. Tom Grabowski, the UTPA theatre director, called the lineup an interesting one and explained how the range of genres this semester is intended to keep the upcoming season fresh and different from the previous one. Last semester’s group included the horror productions The Woman in Black and Diner of the Dead. “We always try to attract an audience by presenting works that we know we need to do because our students and audience members need to be exposed to them,” said the 57-year-old Illinois native, who began teaching at thenPan American University in 1981. “Each play this semester is different, Liaisons is a period piece drama that is very
involved, due to all the costumes and sets we’ll need. The other plays are lighter and not as technically elaborate.” Les Liaisons Dangereuses, or Dangerous Liaisons, is an adaptation of the 1985 stage play based on the 18th-century novel of the same name. It tells the story of two noblefolk and ex-lovers who seduce and humiliate others as a form of entertainment. UTPA’s version is scheduled to run from Feb. 26 through March 2. Luis Moreno, a senior majoring in theater performance, is in the starring role of The Vicomte de Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangereuses. “The role is a challenge because the character is a sadistic pig,” said the 24-year-old theater performance major. “It’s our job to show audiences that no matter how disgusting, misogynistic or evil our characters are, these guys are relatable.” His co-star, Gina Marie, admits to enjoying her role as The Marquise de Merteuil, calling it a change of pace from other
performances she’s done. “In the past, I’ve played older, gentler characters,” the Pharr native said. “These guys aren’t conventional heroes and it’s indicative of how strong our season is.” Marie is also performing in Real Women Have Curves. This production is a coming-of-age tale set in 1987 Los Angeles and revolves around five women working at a sewing factory. Themes in the production range from body image to feminism. The show will run April 23-27. The final production of the semester will be Twelve Dancing Princesses, from the Theatre for Young Audiences Program, an initiative that works with plays aimed at younger audiences. This production is an adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale The Shoes that were Danced to Pieces. The story is about a king who challenges a prince to solve the mystery of where his 12 daughters sneak off every night, and how. If he succeeds, the prince
wins the hand of the princess of tured in the production as well. theater is done. It’s exciting.” his choice. However, if he fails, “We’re always interested in Twelve Dancing Princesses will the prince will be decapitated. allowing children to see the run May 1-4. More information “There are no beheadings joy of theater and how benefi- can be found on the University here. This adaptation will be a cial it can be for them,” said the Theatre website. bit cleaner than a normal Broth- 52-year-old Iowa native, who ers Grimm tale,” Brian Warren, has been at the University since the play’s director, said. “We’re 2002. “By performing with also having some moments of adults, and vice versa, everyone comedy, like the inclusion of gets to see how the process of a reluctant executioner who’s not a fan of his job.” As the title implies, Twelve Dancing Princesses will feature a dance number for each princess. The genres of dances will include salsa, Irish step dancing, country and more. This adaptation will feature student actors from Warren’s Children’s Theater Workshop Jon Nutt/The Pan American class, and will also Luis Moreno (right) and Gina Marie together in a scene from the play Les double as their fiLiaisons Dangereuses Feb. 25. Moreno plays the character Vicomte de Valmont nal project. Child and Marie portrays Marquise de Merteu, rivals and ex-lovers who enjoy playing actors will be feacruel jokes on other people and sharing their tales.
February 2014 January 31,27, 2013 January 31, 2013
Story by Marco Torres Photos by Jon Nutt The Pan American Australian senior Sam Street went all nine innings in the first game of the Al Ogletree Classic Feb. 21, pitching a 1-0 victory against the Northwestern State University Demons at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. Street started the night by retiring the first 11 batters before Demons’ third baseman Chase Daughdrill singled in the fourth inning. He would then respond by not allowing another hit until the ninth. The game was part of the 10th annual Al Ogletree Classic played Feb. 21-23. The Broncs won three games during the tournament and lost one. “Sam (Street) is a good one,” said legendary coach Al Ogletree. “He is from Australia and we need to get a few more from down there…I’m real impressed with him, he is a great pitcher.” Ogletree, who has been inducted into nine Hall of Fames around the state of Texas, is a
Texas A&M alum who led Pan American University as coach to a 44-9 record and a fourth place finish at the College World Series of 1971. Ogltree’s record at PAU was 1,084-618-1. He retired in 1997 and UTPA honored him by naming the classic after him in 2004. Feb. 21, Street finished the night with 11 strikeouts and the two-hitter was his ninth career complete game and fourth career shutout. Last year he was 10-3 with a 2.73 ERA, and in 2014 he is 2-0 so far. His efforts earned him Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week. “In the last inning I kept the same thought process I’ve been thinking all night,” Street said. “At the end there I concentrated on the breaking ball a bit more.” The Broncs got their only run in the first inning. Junior Michael Baca was on second base when senior right fielder Alex Howe stepped up to the plate and hit a two-out, RBI-single. The Broncs would relax for the night before they were back
on the field Feb. 22 against the Prairie View A&M Panthers. For the first time in 42 years and for the third time in program history, they recorded back-toback 1-0 victories. The last time the Broncs accomplished this was against Baylor April 28-29, 1972, when Ogletree was head coach. Blake English started the day as the first pitcher for the Broncs. English gave them their second great start as he worked eight shutout innings, allowing four hits. When English’s job was over, junior Clayton Haltom took over in the ninth inning and pitched a hitless inning. The Broncs’ sole run came in the third inning. Bases loaded with one out, third baseman Alberto Morales was at the plate and the count was one ball and one strike. Morales took the pitch and hit a pop fly, which brought in second baseman Bryan Ramirez from third. “Well they have been playing good,” Ogletree said. “Good defense is what it is and good de-
fense will win you a lot of ball games.” The game was the first of two that day the Broncs had little time to soak in the victory before losing to the Demons, 6-4. Although action started at the top of the fourth inning, the game was decided in the ninth. Down 6-3, the Broncs started off with back-to-back singles. After an out, Howe came to plate and ripped an RBI-single to close the gap to two runs. Morales came up to the plate next and walked. The Demons brought in pitcher Adam Oller, who struck out twice to end the game. The Broncs closed out the Al Ogletree Classic the following day as they faced the Panthers for the second time. The Broncs were able to draw a season-high 13 walks to go along with eight hits in the 9-3 victory. It is the third time the Broncs have drawn 13 walks since Manny Mantrana became head coach in 2008, the last being April 30, 2011 against Houston Baptist. “Any time you can play four
Victor Garcia
Jesus Garcia Jr.
games and go 3-1, it’s a good thing, I am proud of my team,” Mantrana said. “We came back from a rough night against Northwestern but we came back, battled back and had a good performance.” Freshman and former Nikki Rowe athlete Andrew Padron had his first career start and allowed one run, three hits and struck out two in five innings. Through the fifth, the Broncs would dominate the game with an 8-1 score. Howe was one home run short of the cycle on the final game of the classic as he was one of the Broncs’ six walks during their four-run, one hit fifth inning. The Australian native was also named WAC Player of the Week, but for hitting, and doing it by hitting .733 (11-for15) with a .765 on-base percentage and .933 batting percentage to go with four RIB’s, three runs and four stolen bases. “We can always continue to improve,” Howe said. “We need to get some more good pitches
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to hit and make the opponents pay for it.” The Broncs were honored to play in front of Ogletree and even more honored that he had praise for their defense. “UTPA baseball is Al Ogletree,” Mantrana said. “Any time he gives us a compliment we are very honored and blessed. We are just trying to rebuild what he did here and I think we have the players to do so.” Ogletree often misses being out on the field but is honored that the tournament is now in its 10th year. “Being with the boys is what I miss most about the game,” the Hall of Fame coach said. “You got to play hard, play smart and have fun, those are the things you need to do when you’re out there on the field.” The Broncs are now 5-4 and will play at home March 7-9 against Arlington Baptist College. First game starts at 7 p.m. at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
Blake Thomas
Shane Ammon
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February 27, 2014