March 21, 2007 by UTRGV Student Media

THE

PAN AMERICAN

T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n

March 21, 2007

Professor arrested, accused of having child porn By SANDRA GONZALEZ The Pan American Shortly before the beginning of Spring Break, Brian Butler, an associate professor of history, became the second professor at The University of Texas-Pan American in two years to be arrested for a crime of a sexual nature. Butler, who has worked at UTPA since 2000, was arrested March 13 after

RAHC gets $1.2 million grant for research By VERONICA GONZALEZ The Pan American The Regional Academic Health Center, the first biomedical research facility of its kind along the TexasMexico border, announced the receipt of a $1.2 million grant March 9 to support ongoing research. Leaders from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and The University of TexasPan American gathered to celebrate the grant, which is one of the largest biomedical research awards ever given in the Rio Grande Valley “It’s an honor to be a part of expanding the Health Center to this part of Texas,” said Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa, president of UTHSC. “I can’t thank Dr. [Blandina] Cardenas (president of UTPA) enough for being a part of this. It’s with her leadership and with others that we were able to do this.” For the next three years the RAHC will be able to focus on studying dis-

See GRANT page 11

an international sting led investigators to his North McAllen home, where they found over 400 images of child pornography on his home computers. Back in BUTLER 2005, Raymond Landry, an associate professor of

accounting and business law, was arrested at a McAllen bus stop after soliciting what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl online. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison. Upon hearing the news about Butler, Bradley Gamboa, a sophomore history major, said he was shocked. “He was a good professor so I was really caught by surprise,” said Gamboa, who had Butler last semester for

American Heritage II. “I can’t say there is a certain type of person that gets caught in these situations, but he was the last person I thought of when I first heard about a professor from UTPA being arrested.” Butler’s students this semester are currently being taught by other professors. While Butler, 48, is still an official employee at the university, he is currently in custody after being denied

bond. Butler was first noticed by authorities after he accessed a child-porn Web site in January; it was being monitored by the FBI. The office of Brent E. Cavazos, attorney for the professor, declined to comment on whether or not a court date had been set or give any further details as to the case’s progress.

See ARREST page 11

Shutdown Day tests users’ willpower By BRENDA RODRIGUREZ The Pan American The thought of going 24 hours without a computer can be daunting, especially since the technology has become so dominant in the last decade. But on March 24 that’s exactly what people around the world will be doing on National Shutdown Day. The creators of the event, Denis Bystrov, 29, and Michael Taylor, 27, from Montreal, Canada, consider this an experiment to find out if people can stay away from their computers for a whole day. The duo belongs to a group called Blame Computers First. When news got out about this plan, Daniel Bachhuber, a freshman from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., decided to help spread the word. “I first came across the event and site on digg.com, a social news site. The story made the front page and I thought I might pass the word on through Facebook,” Bachhuber said. The word about Shutdown Day has spread around the world like a virus. With a few days to go there had been 45,000 global pledges to participate and 7,000 others who admitted that they wouldn’t be able to give up their computer for an entire day.

While the prospect of going computer-less for one day may seem enticing to some, Kayleigh Rose Garcia, a junior English and computer information system major at The University of TexasPan American, said she would never take part. “That’s ridiculous,” the McAllen resident said. “Sometimes when I forget my cell phone or iPod, I feel naked, so I couldn’t imagine going a day without a computer.” As a student, Garcia, said that she sometimes needs to send her professors papers though e-mail and if that were the case March 24, she wouldn’t be able to participate in Shutdown Day because doing so would prevent her from completing the work. Garcia feels that the technology available today is convenient and efficient for people to use. “This would be extremely inconvenient for doctors, students or any professions that use computers, because they need to use a computer to get their work done and help other p e o ple,” she said. Garcia says she also uses the computer two to three

See SHUTDOWN page 11

News

A&E

Sports

Fast-food chain charged with unfair treatment of farm workers

Local saloon-style club gains in popularity among college crowd

The Valley offers offbeat, unique ways to stay in shape

See Page 3

See Page 10

See Page 14

PAGE 2

R EADER FORUM

March 21, 2007 THE

PAN AMERICAN

Letters to the editor

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 56th Year – No. 23 Editor Claudette Gonzalez ThePanAmerican@gmail.com News Editor

A&E Editor

Sports Editor

Sandra Gonzalez

Frank Calvillo

Luke Koong

sandra_ panamerican@ yahoo.com

hennero@ msn.com

lkoong2004 @yahoo.com

Design Editor

Photo Editor Sidney Meadows

Roy Bazan

outintherain@ aol.com

crazy_restless@ yahoo.com

Designers Gregorio Garza

Rick Gamez

the_nataku@ yahoo.com

rikgamez@ gmail.com

Reporters and Photographers Leslie Estrada Jeanette Perez Onydia Garza

Rafael Roux

Patrick Kennedy

Angela Salazar

Kristyna Mancias Erick Quintero Savannah Martinez Adviser Dr. Greg Selber Secretary Anita Casares Ad Manager Lillian Villarreal

Asst. Ad Manager Samantha Quintana

To the editor: In reference to “Campus Cat Controversy” (March 15), releasing feral campus cats in rural areas is inhumane and bad environmental practice. I found it shocking that the Director of Environmental Health here at The University of Texas-Pan American would prescribe the blatant release of the campus feral cats into the Lower Rio Grande Delta ecosystem. This is both bad environmental practice and inhumane. First, cats are textbook predators with razor sharp teeth, retractable claws and an innate need to stalk, pounce and kill anything that resem-

“The only humane and environmentally responsible way to deal with the stray cats is to capture them and turn them over to the proper authorities such as humane societies...” - Ruben Zamora graduate student bles prey item. So ingrained is their tendency to hunt that no amount of taming and domestication can curb this behavior even when the cats are

To the editor: I was glancing through The Pan American earlier this week and made a startling discovery. UTPA endorses the Plan B contraceptive. I was floored. Instead of advertising for book sales or encouraging the use of FREE contraceptives given out by Planned Parenthood, The Pan American felt it was best to endorse an ad that states “$30 for your first pack, get the second pack for $20!”

What message are we trying to send to our students here at UTPA? That unprotected sex is okay because there is always Plan B? By the way, Plan B is just an emergency birth control that is only effective IF contraception has not already occurred. I think it is absolutely absurd that this has been allowed to be placed in The Pan American. I would strongly recommend that you replace the ad or remove it completely. A better message would be that

To the editor: I am not sure the article (“Campus Cat Controversy”) is appropriate because it implies that cats are basically being “dropped” off on the side of the road - which is not true. All the cats that have been released have been essentially adopted and are probably better fed than the ones on campus. In reference to the letter above: Mr. Zamora, I can read from your letter that you perhaps are a bird lover, which I appreciate. However, please understand we also need to be sensitive to those on the campus that think

that taking the cats to the Humane Society is “inhumane.”

well fed. Thus even the outdoor friendly feline poses a problem to wildlife, those members of a healthy functioning ecosystem. Cats are known predators of wildlife. For example, the National Audubon Society (NAS) estimates that hundreds of millions of songbirds are taken every year by outdoor feline pets, strays and ferals. They have significantly contributed to the decline and extinction of birds species. I have personally seen the tamest of outdoor cats kill brilliant red cardinals, mockingbirds. In short, to harbor an outdoor cat is inhumane, and to release one or many into the countryside is a crime.

The only humane and environmentally responsible way to deal with the stray cats is to capture them and turn them over to the proper authorities such as humane societies where they will get a shot at having a home, or unfortunately, as with most feral born cats, must be put down humanely as most are not tamable. I also call for those self-proclaimed cat-advocates to concentrate on the root of the problem, taking a more informed, rational and proactive role in the community that goes beyond simply talking and running education campaigns.

of free birth control. I get birth control from Planned Parenthood for free, so I know what I’m talking about. If The Pan American is insistent upon placing the ad in again, I would hope that you might place some consideration upon putting an ad in for the Pregnancy Crisis Centers of the Valley.

Thank you for your time, Janet Sellers sophomore interdisciplinary studies major

Ruben Zamora graduate student

“What message are we trying to send our students here at UTPA? That unprotected sex is okay because there is always Plan B? I think it is absolutely absurd...” - Janet Sellers sophomore interdisciplinary studies major

Advertising information spubs@panam.edu Delivery Thursday at Noon

The Pan American gladly accepts letters from students, staff and faculty regarding newspaper content or current issues. The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. Please limit submission length to 300 words. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters, or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Letters are printed at the discretion of the editor and must include the writer’s name, classification/title and phone number.

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 university.

Richard Costello director Environmental Health and Safety

“All the cats that have been released have been essentially adopted and are probably better fed than the ones on campus.” - Richard Costello Environmental and Health Safety

Staff editorial To the readers: Recently expressed concerns (like the one above by Ms. Janet Sellers) have prompted us to make it clear that The Pan American does not endorse any of the products and services advertised in the paper. Advertisements are just that advertisements. They are paid for by outside companies not necessarily affiliated with the newspaper or the university. We do not endorse Plan B or its

distributor any more than we endorse Portillo Jewelers, El Bosque Apartments, Apple Computers or any other of our advertisers. Moreover, the paper is an equal opportunity advertiser. If the Pregnancy Crisis Centers of the Valley were interested in running an ad in our newspaper, we would give the same consideration as anyone else. The Pan American Staff

IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

THE PAN AMERICAN

Available March 29

Mistreatment of minors

A good year

- Find out more about the allegations facing the Texas Youth Commission

- Learn more about the flourishing wine scene in the Rio Grande Valley

N EWS

News in brief: A town hall meeting will be held March 28 at 2 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium to answer and discuss questions regarding Web time entry for all hourly employees.

SGA tackles issues at first constitutional convention By LUKE KOONG The Pan American The Student Government Association hosted its first constitutional convention yesterday to reform the way student government is structured and to use student input to address campus concerns. Tony Matamoros, senator-at-large and chairman of the Personnel

UTPA’s food supplier goes healthconscious By ANNA FLORES The Pan American A leading food management services company in North America has taken measures to improve the quality of food for its more than 6,000 clients, including The University of Texas-Pan American. In January, Sodexho announced its conversion to zero trans fat oil, or trans fat free, service nationwide. Trans fat is formed when liquid vegetable oils go through a chemical process known as hydrogenation, which raises bad cholesterol levels that may increase the risk of developing heart disease, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

“Hopefully the change to zero trans fat oil will have a positive outcome so that we can be healthier.” - Florencio Martinez criminal justice major

“We want to let students know that we’re taking a proactive approach to what they’re eating,” said Elson Rivera, Sodexho general manager at UTPA. Students do not have to worry about their favorite dish being less tasty, according to Rivera. In fact, not a single customer has noticed the transition to zero trans fat oil in the food that they eat since the switch.

See SODEXHO page 12

Committee, said there were several loopholes in the constitution that the senate wanted to address. “A lot of the senates in the past have had a lot of internal problems over the years. The main purpose is to allow students to participate in the process of reformation,” Matamoros said. In early February, Matamoros and two other senators spearheaded a movement to remove President Argelia

Barrera from office because of her alleged failure to attend meetings. The attempt was foiled, however, because SGA grievance policy had not been followed. Matamoros MATAMOROS said the senate hopes to establish an official impeach-

ment process, but maintains that the conflict with Barrera was not the root of the bill, saying it was in the works long before the clash began. Moreover, the senate hopes to streamline the process of presidential appointments. “The constitution says the president can appoint people to positions and then the senate reviews the appointments,” he said. “The by-laws state that

a committee should be able to review the applications and that has caused conflict between the president and senate.” Because the constitution does not define certain responsibilities, different branches can claim responsibility. “It’s very open to interpretation. Since we’re such a large body, it can be very conflicting,” said SGA vice-president Bonnie Bustos. “We don’t want to

See CONVENTION page 12

Students, advocates accuse McDonald’s of hindering laborers’ ability to earn fair wages By SARAH JESKE The Pan American McDonald’s was dubbed “the best place for minorities to work,” by Fortune Magazine in 2005. However, some are saying that while that may be true for those who work in the restaurant constructing sandwiches and managing shipments, it is not the case for those who pick the popular eatery’s tomatoes. Every day McDonald’s feeds approximately 46 million people, according to studies done by media endeavor Super Size Me, which was responsible for the documentary film of the same name. Because of the demand for burgers and sandwiches, McDonald’s has leveraged massive purchasing power, buying tomatoes by the ton. Buying in bulk is not a new trend. Large corporations have been doing it to cut costs for decades. However, farm workers in Immokalee, a major agricultural center in Florida, spoke openly about their struggles to pick tomatoes for 40 cents per 32 pound bucket. In a documentary made by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, field laborers were interviewed about their working conditions. One CIW member said he works 12-hour days and earns $40 to $50 per day. The CIW is a communitybased worker organization concerned with the working and living conditions of people in lowwage jobs throughout Florida.

However, the coalition is not the only organization to demand social responsibility from the McDonald’s Corp. Students and community members in South Texas have been getting in on the action as well. Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, a

student organization at The University of Texas-Pan American, has joined forces with World Peace Alliance to educate area citizens on worker rights. “We are here to create awaren e s s about

farm worker oppression nationwide,” said Hector Guzman, a MEChA representative and philosophy major. One way these organizations create awareness is through documentary viewings open to the public, where they distribute informative material. Some of that material was recently posted on campus. “These documentaries

See MCDONALD’S page 12

Page 4

NEWS

March 21, 2007

NEWS

March 21, 2007

Page 5

University officials tackle pedestrian hazards By MANUEL TISCARENO The Pan American Saving a few seconds by choosing to ignore the lights at street crosswalks can be a dangerous and expensive choice, according to officials at the Department of Environmental Health and Safety at The University of TexasPan American. In an effort to evaluate and maintain crosswalk safety, the department has spent over $125,000 revamping crosswalks and strongly encourages their usage, according to Richard Costello, director of the DEHS. Costello said that increased traffic along Highway 107 has caused the university to address the dangers of jaywalking for all involved parties. “If you don’t put a crosswalk [in a place one is needed], the burden on being safe is placed solely and in most cases on the motorist,” he said. “However when you put up the crosswalk, you now share that burden.” Currently, there are about 30 crosswalks around campus. Consultants were hired to estimate traffic and pedestrian

activity in these areas, in order to better accommodate the crosswalks. The project is currently about three-quarters done, according to Costello. In recent years UTPA has seen various instances in which students were hurt because of not properly using the crosswalks. Costello recalls one student who was standing a few feet from a crosswalk, but chose to jaywalk. The person had not measured the distance of the approaching vehicle accurately.

“Our patrol officers enforce all traffic laws. The officers will issue citations if they witness the violation.” - James Loya assistant chief of police While the student suffered only minor injuries, cases like these make the department always consider the worstcase scenario. Others are on board, so to speak. “Not everybody follows the rules,” Alex Morales, a junior psychology

major, said. “It’s all about the convenience of the situation.” Crossing at an appointed spot may seem a burden to many, but James Loya, assistant chief of police at UTPA, said that jaywalking has costly consequences. “Our patrol officers enforce all traffic laws,” he said. “The officers will issue citations if they witness the violation.” Currently, the fine can be up to $500.00 and is a class C Misdemeanor, according to Loya. Crosswalks have to meet very picky specifications, which include length, color of striping and the types of warning signs that should be placed in the vicinity. According to the National Safety Council, each year, automobiles kill about 5,900 pedestrians, while 84,000 pedestrians suffer nonfatal injuries in the United States alone. Costello said with so many incidents occurring every year, crosswalk safety is an important issue. Moreover, he said if anybody sees anything wrong with campus crosswalks, they are instructed to contact the university safety department.

Rafel Roux/The Pan American JAYWALKER - A UTPA student crosses Schunior Road without using the nearby crosswalk. UTPA officials are currently cracking down on crosswalk use.

Rafael Roux/The Pan American SPEAKING OUT - Alyssa Burgin, a member of Texas for Peace, visited The University of Texas-Pan American March 8 to speak to the Students for Peace organization.

EN ESPAÑOL

Noticias en breve: El Centro Académico Regional de Salud (RAHC) recibió una subvención de $1.2 milliones para investigación sobre enfermedades que afectan la población Hispana.

Grupos presionan a McDonald’s para mejores salarios Por SARAH JESKE Traducido Por JUAN PINTOR The Pan American McDonald’s fué nombrado “El mejor lugar de trabajo para minorías,” por la revista Fortune en 2005. Sin embargo, algunos dicen que tal vez eso sea verdad para los que trabajan en el restaurante, haciendo sandwiches y manejando embarques, pero no es el mismo caso para los que cosechan los tomates de la popular cadena. Todos los días McDonald’s alimenta a aproximadamente 46 millones de personas, de acuerdo con estudios hechos por la investigadora de medios Super Size Me, que también fué responsable por el documental del mismo nombre. A causa de la demanda de hamburguesas y sandwiches, McDonald’s ha apalancado un poder adquisitivo masivo, comprando tomates por toneladas. Comprar al por mayor no es un hábito nuevo. Grandes compañías lo han

hecho para recortar costos por décadas. Sin embargo, trabajadores en Immokalee, un centro agricultural mayor en Florida, hablaron abiertamente acerca de su lucha por recoger tomates a 40 centavos por cubeta de 32 libras. En un documental creado por la Coalición de Trabajadores de Immokalee, los trabajadores fueron entrevistados acerca de las condiciones de trabajo. Un miembro de CTI dijo que el tenía jornadas de trabajo de 12 horas y ganaba de $40 a $50 por día. El CTI es una organización comunitaria de trabajadores que se preocupa por las condiciones de trabajo y de vida de personas en trabajos de salario bajo a lo largo de Florida. No obstante, la coalición no es la única organización que demanda responsabilidad social de la McDonald’s Corp. Estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad en el sur de Texas han estado metiéndose en la acción también. Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de

Aztlan, una organización en la Universidad de Texas-Pan American, ha unido fuerzas con la Alianza de la Paz Mundial para educar a los ciudadanos del área sobre derechos de trabajo. “Estamos aqui para crear conciencia acerca de la opresión de los trabajadores granjeros a escala nacional,” dijo Hector Guzman, un estudiante de filosofía y representante de MEChA. Una manera en la que esas organizaciones crean conciencia es a través de documentales abiertos al público, donde distribuyen material informativo. Un poco de ese material fue expuesto por MEChA en un evento en el Student Union dia 8 de Marzo 8. Mientras esperaban afuera del teatro antes de que la película comenzara, los miembros del club recordaban acerca de sus propias experiencias trabajando en los campos; su participación de primera mano es parte de la razón por la que son tan firmes acerca del tema. “Nosotros queremos que la gente

se entere de cuán duro trabajan las personas en los campos y el poco respeto que reciben por eso,” dijo Vicky Lorraine, un miembro de APM. Nacionalmente, CTI está haciendo difusión acerca de una protesta que será en Abril 13-14 afuera de la oficina central de McDonald’s en Chicago. “Estamos intentando juntar dinero para ir a Chicago. Queremos mostrar nuestro apoyo a los trabajadores de Immokalee y a todos los demas,” dijo Lorraine. UN NUEVO OBJETIVO Esta no es la primera vez que CTI ha puesto su mira en una compañia grande. En 2005 el grupo mantuvo protestas a nivel nacional fuera de Taco Bell hasta que Yum Brand Corp., dueños de la cadena, elevaron el salario mínimo un centavo por libra de tomates recogidos. Elizabeth Wagoner, una estudiante de leyes en la Universidad de TexasAustin y un miembro de la Alianza de

Estudiantes Trabajadores de Granja, espera que el resultado de sus esfuerzos con McDonald’s sea similar. “Estas grandes compañías necesitan saber que tienen una gran responsabilidad social, y que ellos necesitan asegurar los derechos humanos de los trabajadores del campo,” Wagoner dijo. La compañía McDonald’s asegura que está pagando a todos los trabajadores de campo al menos un centavo por libra. Esta paga, sin embargo, no cumple con el salario mínimo, y es la misma paga que los trabajadores ganaban en 1978. Llamadas y correos electrónicos a la oficina central de McDonald’s para respuestas a las acusaciones no fueron devueltas al tiempo de la impresión. En el Valle, activistas en apoyo de los trabajadores de campo continúan difundiendo las noticias acerca de los derechos, o la falta de, según como lo vean. Visita http://www.myspace.com/ wpeacea_events para información en eventos por venir.

RTS A EN T& E RTA I N M E N T

Editor’s Pick: Must-See Movie “Dead Silence” is the latest offering from the minds behind the popular “Saw” series.

Comic brings valuable message to UTPA students By LESLIE ESTRADA The Pan American The University Program Board Nightlife Committee presented the “Happy Hour, Comedy with a Twist” tour with comedian Bernie McGrenahan March 7 at the Student Union Theater. McGrenahan opened the 7 p.m. show with comedy that made the audience laugh from the moment he stepped on stage. After about 30 minutes of hilarious jokes, he continued the show by talking about his experience with alcohol and drugs and how he successfully overcame those problems. The tour, which is now 10 years old, reaches about 65 universities and colleges every year. “I am really excited about the fact that the Happy Hour tour will turn 10 this year,” McGrenahan said. “I tour six months with Happy Hour and six months with regular comedy and people seem to enjoy my show, which is very important for its success.” The comedian, who shares his life experiences with students all over the country in hopes of making a difference in their lives, decided to start the tour after he found out the high rate of alcohol consumption by students, especially

Tabitha Arce/The Pan American LAUGHTER, LESSONS - Critically acclaimed comedian Bernie McGrenahan brought “Happy Hour,” a comedy act that stresses the hazards of excessive drinking, to UTPA students on March 7.

in college. “Alcohol is a drug and it should be treated as one,” McGrenahan said. “People think that alcohol is essential to have fun at a party, when in reality it is not. It is something that is creating a lot of problems.” Carlos Gonzalez, a junior mechani-

cal engineering major at The University of Texas-Pan American, enjoyed the message McGrenahan delivered to the audience. “I really liked the fact that he talked about his problem with alcohol without trying to make us stop drinking,” Gonzalez said. “He just presented his

experience and how he got out of his problem, but never trying to make us change our lifestyle.” According to McGrenahan his show makes a difference because he doesn’t preach, “Don’t drink,” but outlines the problems of drinking and makes students aware of what could happen to

them. He addresses the social norm that validates how much alcohol students actually drink, but acknowledges that most students of legal drinking age do consume alcohol moderately and responsibly. “You can’t tell someone to not drink because some people can drink responsibly,” he said. “Some students can drink twice a month and only have a couple of beers. It’s the people that go out several nights a week and get drunk each night that I’m trying to get across to.” McGrenahan was voted the most important comedian in America by the L.A. Daily News because of the message he shares. “I really think that’s a very important compliment,” the comedian said. “It was a critic’s opinion after watching the show. He really liked the fact that I was doing something more than just offering laughter to the audience.” “Happy Hour” attempts to inspire students to achieve their dreams by dealing with life’s obstacles in a positive way. For more information about McGrenahan and his tour, visit www.happyhourcomedy.com.

‘Retablos’ exhibit embodies spirituality, gratitude By ANGELA SALAZAR The Pan American For Ricardo and Debbie Backal, collecting art is a way of life. But their focus isn’t on big- name pieces. Instead, they have amassed a collection of retablos, also known as laminas, which are small oil paintings on tin, wood, copper or zinc. The couple, originally from Mexico City, has a strong passion for art and the stories that lay behind it. According to Debbie Backal, these paintings originated not among professional artists, but among grateful worshippers who wanted to say thank you. “The story behind this collection is that these are basically hung in churches or home altars,” Backal said. “They are mainly made by people who wanted to thank saints for miracles and hang them on the altar. And it’s not that it’s a famous artist, but the story behind the painting.” During the time that this art form

began, the paintings would be hung in churches. Later, in the 1800s, when less expensive materials such as copper and tin made the paintings available to the masses, they were hung in home altars as a source of spiritual strength and appreciation. This art form was most well known during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Now, an exhibit titled “Retablos: The Art of Faith” has come to the Visitors Center at The University of Texas-Pan American. “UTPA brings exhibits that might not otherwise be seen by the Rio Grande Valley community,” said Sally Mendiola, associate director of admissions and new student services. Each painting depicts a religious image, mostly of saints, Jesus, Virgin Mary and angels. The artworks use bold, rich colors to evoke emotions from a two-dimensional image. The exhibit on display at UTPA is one part of a larger collection. Another

Joey Cortez/The Pan American SPIRITUAL ART - The University of Texas-Pan American’s Visitors Center is currently hosting an exhibit titled “Retablos: The Art of Faith,” which features religious paintings called retablos or laminas.

portion is on display at the International Museum of Arts and Sciences in McAllen, and features silver pieces from colonial Mexico. “[Collecting] has been a family hobby for over 50 years,” Backal said.

“You start buying and researching and find something interesting and that’s how it starts.” For the Backals, the exhibits represent a tie to Mexico, one that they want to share.

“We want students to get in touch with Mexico, with their family and their roots,” she said. “This can help them come closer to that.” For more information, contact the Visitors Center at (956)292-7338.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 8

March 21, 2007

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 9

Current under-appreciated greats to include on your playlists Story By: Frank Calvillo The music industry has taken on various shapes and forms over time. With each passing year come new artists with new sounds to entertain and inspire the ever-changing music-buying public. What happens to the old artists? Well it is up to them to reinvent themselves and keep up with the change in trends, thereby reinforcing their staying power while continuing to please old fans and win new ones. On the other hand, there are some artists who have proven their longevity without succumbing to the various trends shown by their young rivals. Holding true to the sounds and styles that made them famous, some artists have consistently managed to produce critically acclaimed records while refusing to give in to the latest musical fad. But while these artists may stick to their traditional formulas,

there is a price they must pay. Even though an artist may be established, success doesn’t include automatic or lifelong adoration from the industry, at least not if they aren’t considered to be the hottest thing at the moment. As a result, an artist can go on producing albums that bring in respectable sales, but still be given very little attention from the media or public. However there are those who feel that some of them are worth a second look. BORN TO FLY When it comes to country music

Layout By: Roy Bazan

sirens, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Leann Rimes are probably the first names that come to mind. Yet one that doesn’t pop into the minds of country lovers, at least not right away, is that of Sara Evans. Even in the world of country, Evans’ popularity is limited, especially in certain circles where she is referred to as “the poor man’s Shania.” But those who have been fans of the singer certainly have plenty of reasons to adore her. Evans entered the country music world at the age of 25. Her debut album “Three Chords and the Truth,” was released in the summer of 1997 and introduced the up-andcoming singer as someone to watch out for. Evans followed up the next year with her sophomore effort “No Place That Far,” which was certified gold. The albums “Born to Fly” (2000), “Restless” (2003), and “Real Fine Place” (2005) were all hits, selling millions of copies in America. With hits such as “Cheatin’” and “Backseat of a Greyhound Bus,” Evans has said that it’s her honesty that has helped her achieve success. “People always say you can tell the real deal, and I feel like there’s nothing fake about what I do,” Evans said in a 2003 interview with The Herald Journal. “It’s just always been my life.” Critics have always loved Evans, calling her heartfelt material edgy, earthy and raw. Yet for all her success, she has never managed to achieve the same level of fame as some of her contemporaries. Aside from a brief stint on last season’s “Dancing with the Stars,” mainstream notoriety continues to elude her.

ed with his songs, which boast lyrics that are both poetic and deep. This is a sharp contrast to the public Williams, who has a reputation of being overly frank, honest and oftentimes offensive. Williams first burst into the British music scene in the early ‘90s as part of the successful boy-band Take That. After the band’s breakup in 1995, Williams went into a deep depression fueled by excessive use of drugs and alcohol. After cleaning himself up, Williams released “I’ve Been Expecting You” (1997). However, the album was a flop and no one took notice. It wasn’t until his second album, “Life Thru a Lens” (1998), was released a year later that people began taking the singer seriously as a solo artist. Records such as “Sing When You’re Winning” (2000), “Escapology” (2002), “Intensive Care” (2005), and “Rudebox” (2006) all followed and to date the controversial singer has sold nearly 50 million albums worldwide. Williams, however, never takes himself as seriously as other people do. “I come from the tradition of a big Irish family that loves to sing and perform,” Williams said in a 2000 interview with the British magazine “Loaded.” “I’m not a musician, though. I’m an entertainer.” Although the singer’s 1999 debut single in the states, “Millennium,” did get some attention, his second single “Angels,” wasn’t as well received. Some of his material had been released since then, but American music fans didn’t buy and eventually Williams and his record label stopped trying. How such a gifted musician can be famous all over the world except in one country will always remain a mystery.

I JUST WANNA ROCK DJ Hailing from England, 33-year-old pop/rocker Robbie Williams is the most sought after and beloved artist in his native country. With countless albums sold and a record deal reportedly worth 80 million pounds (one of the most lucrative in music history), Williams has easily become one of the most legendary music mavens in all of Europe. Williams has charmed and captivat-

THUG WORLD ORDER In the world of hip-hop, most casual listeners wouldn’t call Bone Thugs-N-Harmony the frontrunners of the genre, yet for some, that’s exactly what they are. Before Eminem and 50 Cent reigned supreme, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony made headlines and sold huge numbers of albums to legions of fans. Some feel it was the rapsinging quartet that was most responsible for bringing hiphop to the mainstream. For well over a decade, the rap group has passed milestones, crossed boundaries and defied the odds in showing

the public the true essence of hip-hop through songs such as the Grammy-winning “Tha Crossroads.” Though staying true to the conventions of their chosen music field, the rappers have also tried endlessly to give their music credibility as well as a voice that many can identify with. The members of the group - Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Wish Bone and Bizzy Bone - came together in 1990 and by the following year established their own record label and released an independent album, “Faces of Death.” It wasn’t until 1994 that they were signed to a major label and released their first mainstream album, “Creepin on ah Come Up” (1994). The album was a hit, selling more than four million copies worldwide and propelling the group - and hip-hop - into the public eye. Their followup album “E 1999 Eternal” (1995), debuted at the top of the pop charts, becoming one of the most successful hip-hop albums to date. Six albums later, the rap group (now down to a trio) has signed what has been called a “monumental” deal with Interscope records and plans to release a new album soon. Member Layzie Bone (real name, Steven Howse) feels that it is the group’s own life experiences that account for their resonance with rapmusic lovers. “We talk about things that can happen to us as well as our kinfolk or our kids,” Howse said in an interview with Jazz Weekly.com. “We talk about the whole experience of what we see and what we see our people go through.”

While some are quick to forget Bone Thugs-NHarmony’s imprint on the hip-hop culture, their longevity cannot go unnoticed. So for every Christina, Fergie and Justin populating (or polluting) the airwaves, there are those who have consistently strived to produce great music for their loyal fan bases. Even though they may not be on your friends’ top playlists, these artists have more than proven themselves in a cutthroat industry. Now only time will tell if their words, hopes, feelings and fears will ever again reach the wide audiences some feel they deserve.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 8

March 21, 2007

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 9

Layout By: Roy Bazan

A&E

Page 10

March 21, 2007

Bland new comedy recycles gags, lines By FRANK CALVILLO The Pan American

Moses Garcia/The Pan American SALOON DAYS - Hillbilly’s in McAllen brings back the feeling of an old-fashioned Texas hang-out complete with music, karaoke, drinks, dancing and a game of pool.

Essence of honky tonk alive, kickin’ at Hillbilly’s By JEANETTE PEREZ

The Pan American It is barely 11:30 p.m. but there are so many cars that there isn’t a single empty space in the parking lot. Customers quickly fill in the parking lot at the neighboring plaza before heading inside. That’s how a Wednesday night goes down at Hillbilly’s in McAllen. The little club located on 10th Street near Dove Road was packed. Nothing less could be expected; it was Karaoke Night after all – its busiest night. Hillbilly’s is a night club and bar specializing in country music. Open four days a week, Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., this establishment has really made a name for itself. According to owner Enrique Martinez, on Wednesdays it’s almost impossible to find parking. It’s obvious the people love it. Pass by the place any other day, and one might take it for being rundown and rather small. It appears desolate and out of place. Walk inside when it’s open and it’s a whole different story. More than 200 people gathered behind those doors, the music so loud, you could hear the walls vibrating from outside. The club smells of Texan pride. A black, glittery ceiling appears like the dark, Texas night sky. Neon beer signs illuminate the otherwise dark room. Cow skulls adorn the tin-covered walls. Texas and U.S. flags hang overhead

near the main bar. Saddles rest on railings. Televisions display an intense poker game. A pitcher of beer sits on each table. Many guys wear cowboy hats. To the right of the entrance is where the party was at. A private booth with a large, shelved CD collection and a framed, signed Garth Brooks portrait stand next to the night’s main attraction – the stage. Martinez’s son emceed the night while the audience provided the entertainment. The majority watched from their tables. Others hung out and chatted alongside the bar. The rest twostepped their way around the dance floor. The left side was a bit calmer; places to catch your breath, shoot some pool, throw some darts, hit the slots or ride “El Gacho,” the mechanical bull. Or simply chill and down some cold ones. Named after Tex Ritter’s famous “Hillbilly Heaven,” the club, which has been around for almost 20 years, wasn’t always a club. And it wasn’t something Martinez had intended on. “It used to be a lumber yard. It’s gone through a lot of remodeling,” he said. “I never really had any intentions on starting a night club. The opportunity just presented itself and I took it.” “The Club with Balls,” as it’s also called, has only recently drawn in a huge college crowd, said Martinez, but it’s never had a weak moment. “It’s always been very strong. Always. But Wednesday nights have grown so much with the college crowd.

Thursdays through Saturdays are for country – my regulars. Right now [on Wednesdays] we have all kinds of music: Tejano, mariachi, even rock n’ roll.” There’s a reason why it’s been so successful. “We ourselves are always here,” the owner explained. “Me and my brother always try to be here every night. We work behind the bar, try to meet and talk with everyone. It’s more of a personalized atmosphere.” Some risk-taking never hurt either. “Country has always been very strong for us. Nobody has tackled it. No one else has risked it,” said Martinez, who also owns a print shop. “I bought it very cheap from my brother for $10,000. I forced my wife into early retirement and I sold my old house for down payment.” Martinez’s risk-taking has certainly paid off. New customers are drawn in every week. South Texas College nursing major Diana Rodriguez, 20, of Weslaco was a first-timer. Her friend Eloy Rodriguez, 23, was going on his third. “It’s a cool environment. I have a lot of friends that come here all the time just to hang out. I really like it,” Eloy Rodriguez said. Diana Rodriguez agreed, saying the music and companionship were key. “It’s actually pretty good. The music is good. There are a lot of people,” she said. “Everybody should come out, have a few drinks and have a good time.”

While waiting for “Wild Hogs” to begin playing, the audience in the theater sat through an endless parade of coming attractions. As is the case with most theaters, the managers decide what previews to show based on the type of movie the people are there to see. In other words, for someone at a horror film, all the coming attractions will be of upcoming horror films. The previews for “Wild Hogs” were chock full of trailers for lame comedies using tired old jokes, leaving the audience bored and restless for the movie to begin. That should have been the first clue. If there’s anything to be said for “Wild Hogs,” at least it offers up a plot that is easy to follow and requires little, if any, thinking on the part of the audience. The story is about four middleaged, motorcycle-riding friends played by John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy. Upon discovering that something is missing from their lives, the quartet decides to embark on a cross-country motorcycle trip in a bid to recapture their lost youth. On the way, they encounter a number of obstacles including a group of bloodthirsty bikers. With one of the few remaining plots that haven’t been done to death, “Wild Hogs” started out promisingly enough with light and comical introductions about each character that gave the audience information about their lives. However it wasn’t long before the movie fell into a number of cliché-ridden traps using recycled sight gags and lines that bear resemblance to those in a number of other slapstick comedies. Perhaps the reason most of the audience watching “Wild Hogs” wasn’t laughing was that they already knew what was coming next. At just over two hours, “Wild

Hogs” runs way longer than it should, a gross misstep for any movie to make. The film’s length is due to a number of useless and unfunny scenes that are inserted between the ones that actually matter to the story. Sequences such as having three of the main characters interact with an angry bull prove unnecessary but remain in the film, much to the audience’s chagrin. If there’s one thing “Wild Hogs” will be remembered for, it’s the odd casting choices. If you had asked me before if I thought that any of these four actors would ever be in a film together, I would have said no way. Although I would have been wrong, my reaction would have been justified. This film proves to be nothing new for Lawrence and Allen, both of whom coast through with their trademark humor intact. The two former sitcom stars are used to projects like this, especially Allen, who played a similar role in the 1997 comedy “For Richer or Poorer,” opposite Kirstie Alley. The real question is how Travolta, who just finished playing real-life detective Elmer C. Robison in the true-crime drama “Lonely Hearts,” and Macy, who was excellent as the frustrated hotel manager in last year’s “Bobby,” got stuck in such a bland comedy. While Travolta is embarrassingly miscast, it is nice to see Macy, who plays the shy and meek member of the group, display a sharp sense of physical comedy he has rarely shown. While well-respected actors such as Marisa Tomei and Ray Liotta are relegated to the sidelines with virtually nothing to do, the principle actors are indeed the movie’s saving grace. Knowing that the movie won’t win them any new fans or accolades, the group enjoys being in the film and all genuinely seem to be having fun with this project. After all, what actor would turn down a chance to play slapstick in a movie that requires them to do very little, all the while collecting an enormous Hollywood paycheck? Not many.

About.com LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE - (from left to right) John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy and Tim Allen star in the new buddy comedy “Wild

NEWS

March 21, 2007

Page 11

GRANT continued from page 1 eases that most affect the Hispanic population, such as schizophrenia and diabetes, according to lead researcher Dr. Michael A. Escamilla, a professor of psychiatry at UTHSC. “They’re chronic illnesses that spring up from genetic and environmental factors,” he said. “Much of who we are comes in large part of what we inherit from family.” Escamilla agreed that working in an area where many family members stay in contact with one another is beneficial to the research, as it will provide a stable environment for them to conduct studies that will involve families of the same genetic makeup and Hispanic background. The grant came as a result of Texas Legislature appropriations, which officials from the City of Edinburg lobbied for in Austin last month. State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, who was partly responsible for sponsoring the bill to authorize a RAHC in the Valley, said the funding should help develop research and is a big step in making the RGV an epicenter for medical discovery. “My hope is that [the RAHC] will become a freestanding medical school and cut the strings from UTPA,” Hinojosa said. “That is my promise to you.” The RAHC is equipped with 12 state-of-the-art laboratories including a

ARREST continued from page 1

Sidney Meadows/The Pan American BIG MONEY - Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, president of UTHSC, announced the $1.2 million grant that was awarded to The University of Texas-Pan American’s Regional Academic Health Center March 9.

Biosafety Level 3 lab, which provides a place for graduate and undergraduate students to develop their interest in research and medicine without having to leave the area. Cardenas said she is devoted to making the necessary decisions to

address the issues of medical research and education in the area. “We have an urgent need,” she said. “Just two weeks ago all the emergency rooms [in the area] were full. That shows you we’re short of health care.”

Cigarroa added that any and all support for the facility and its research is necessary for the development of the Valley. “We’re really trying to set the stage for any citizen to reach the stars,” he said.

because I have my cell phone and if not I have television,” he said. Elizondo did say that he would be able to find other things to do besides sitting in front of a computer screen. He said he would watch TV, play his guitar, go watch a movie, play pool and go out with friends. Elizondo, who works at an insurance company, said the absence of computers would set the company back by slowing down business. However, he does suggest that the idea of Shutdown Day would have an effect on

others. “This would be positive for kids because they would notice that it’s not the end of the world and they won’t die without using a computer for a day,” he said. Shutdown Day will take place Saturday from midnight to 11:59 p.m. On Sunday the creators of the event will have a display on their Web site showing the Internet traffic and asking for people to post comments about their life without a computer for a day. For more information visit www.shutdownday.org.

Gamboa admitted that while recurring arrests of professors for sex-related crimes does reflect poorly on the university, there is little solution. “Is there anything they really can do?” he asked. “I mean, he did this in his own home. What right does the school have to know what someone does at home?” In a statement released to the press, University Relations said the university takes allegations and charges against their employees “very seriously.” “We will cooperate fully with authorities if and when we are asked,” said the statement. “If there is any official investigation and proceeding by the authorities, the university will take appropriate action within our well established policies if and as needed.” Currently, there is no evidence that shows Butler used university computers to access pornographic sites, according to The Monitor. Moreover, Gamboa said the fact that he was taught by a teacher who is accused of such heinous acts does bother him. However, he said Butler was nonetheless a good teacher. “What he (allegedly) did was still wrong and he should still be punished,” he said. “He just did a good job hiding it, and it didn’t affect his work.” If convicted, Butler could serve up to 20 years in prison.

SHUTDOWN continued from page 1 hours per day to visit sites like Google, Myspace and Facebook because she sees the computer as the best way to communicate with others. “Some people would probably just use their cell phone to talk to other people,” she said. “There’s always an alternative to communication but it’s cheaper to talk on the Internet than a cell phone.” Conversely, James Elizondo, a sophomore TV/film major from McAllen, said he wouldn’t mind giving up his personal computer for 24 hours.

Q “Sometimes when I forget my cell phone or my iPod, I feel naked, so I couldn’t imagine going a day without a computer.” - Kayleigh Rose Garcia junior English major But he noted other technological options. “My own computer, I can do that

Could you go one day without a computer? Yes

47,846

7,371

As of 10 a.m. March 20

www.shutdownday.org

NEWS

Page 12

March 21, 2007

MCDONALD’S continued from page 3

SODEXHO continued from page 3

are the best because they talk to the workers out in the fields,” Guzman said. MEChA hosted an event in the Student Union March 8 to show these films. While standing outside the theater before the viewing began, club members reminisced about their own experiences working in the fields; their firsthand involvement is part of the reason they are so adamant about the subject.

Rivera said a few faculty members have become aware of the change, but only after seeing the “zero trans fat” label on menus. Yvette Arredondo, a sociology major from Mission, eats regularly at the Student Union and cafeteria. She said she did not notice the change in the type of oil used. But she was appreciative. “It’s good that the university is trying to help students eat healthier because there are many overweight people on campus,” Arredondo said. The problem with obesity is far from a university exclusive problem. Over 60 million adults in the United States are considered obese. Widespread concern about obesity has prompted the university to exercise all possible measures to alleviate the problem, according to Rivera. But Arredondo said she remains skeptical of the efforts. “I don’t think it’s going to make much of a difference,” she said.

“We are here to create awareness about farm worker opression nationwide.” - Hector Guzman MEChA representative

“We want people to know how hard people work in the fields and how little respect they get for it,” said Vicky Lorraine, a member of WPA. Nationally, CIW is spreading word about a protest to be held April 13-14 outside McDonald’s headquarters in Chicago. And members desperately want to be there to pitch in. “We are trying to raise money to get to Chicago. We want to show our support to the Immokalee workers and everyone else,” Lorraine said. Elizabeth Wagoner, a law student at The University of Texas-Austin and Student Farm Worker Alliance member, said that the rally in Chicago is the main event of the CIW’s Truth Tour. The tour is a campaign that will start in Immokalee and travel across the United States educating people about fieldworker’s low wages and

less than par work conditions. A NEW TARGET This is not the first time CIW has set its sights on a large corporation. In 2005 the group held nationwide protests outside of Taco Bell until the Yum Brand Corp., owners of the chain, raised the minimum wage of farm workers one penny per pound of tomatoes picked. Wagoner hopes the result of their efforts with McDonald’s is similar. “These big corporations need to know they have a lot of social responsibility, and that they need to ensure the human rights of the farm workers,” Wagoner said. The McDonald’s Corp. ensures that it’s paying all farm workers at least one penny per pound. In fact, most laborers in Immokalee earn 40 cents per 32pound bucket. This wage, however, does not meet minimum wage standards and is the same rate field workers earned in 1978. “The CIW is asking that McDonald’s become responsible for its community,” Wagoner said. Repeated calls and e-mails to McDonald’s headquarters for a response to the allegations facing it were not returned at press time. In the Valley, activists in support of farm workers are continuing to spread the news about rights, or lack thereof as they see it. They are also getting ready for Farm Worker Action Week, March 25 – April 4. Check out http://www.myspace. com/wpeacea_events for information on upcoming events.

Q “It’s good that the university is trying to help students eat healthier because there are many overweight people on campus.” - Yvette Arredondo sociology major The FDA estimates that the average daily intake of trans fat nationwide is 5.8 grams for people that are 20 years of age and older. Forty percent of the major food sources of trans fat for adults are contained in bakery products such as

Joey Cortez/The Pan American YUM - Luis Gonzalez, a sophomore political science major, is one of many students who continue to enjoy food in the cafeteria after Sodexo’s decision to begin cooking with trans fat-free oil.

bread, cookies and cakes. For this reason, Rivera realizes the importance of the conversion. “A lot of students tend to overeat,” Rivera said. “Most of the time it’s hard for students to eat the healthiest foods. In many cases they are away from home and nobody controls what they eat, especially if there is an all-you-can-eat buffet like the one here on campus.” The FDA suggests checking nutrition facts, limiting intake of foods that are high in cholesterol and choosing foods that are low in saturated and trans fat to construct a more nutritionally adequate diet. Florencio Martinez, a criminal justice major, said he believes the new measures being taken by the university will prove beneficial.

“Hopefully the change to zero trans fat oil will have a positive outcome so that we can be healthier,” he said.

campus organization were allowed to vote on the proposals, however. “We really targeted student organizations because they’re already active on campus. They are the ones who have first-hand experiences with campus concerns,” Bustos said. Matamoros stressed it was important for the senate to receive student input. “Senators can get together and reform the constitution, but that’s not the best way to do it,” he said. “It will have the label that this was what students wanted.” Bustos said having student input will help create new ideas and bring forth new referendums. The creation of the Student Union and the future Wellness Center began in similar fashion. The reforms proposed and passed at the convention will now go before the senate for approval. With a two-thirds vote, those proposals will then be passed to the student body during the April elec-

tion. With majority approval by the students, the proposals will then go before the university administration for final approval. SGA estimates that by early next year or late this year, the final draft of the constitution might be ready, depending on how long the university administrators take to review the changes. “We’re going to try to advocate for them to do it as soon as possible because we did this for a certain reason and would like it implemented before the next student government comes in,” Matamoros said. He said holding the constitutional convention is a historic jump for SGA and the students it serves. “We hope that this can be a learning experience for students and we want to get them as involved as possible with their student government,” Matamoros said. “Hosting this event means we care about student input and we want to know what they think about what we’re proposing.”

Did you know? The majority of trans fat can be found in shortenings, stick margarine, cookies, crackers, snack foods, fried foods, doughnuts, pastries, baked goods and other processed foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils.

CONVENTION continued from page 3 outline and detail everything, but some things are not quite as specific as we would like.” Another example cited was within the Personnel Committee. It is allowed to file grievances against senators, but there is no definite process outlined in the constitution for the committee to follow. The judicial branch is another area of concern. Currently, the president is allowed to appoint all three justices, which Matamoros said could lead to bias in the branch. An idea has been brought forth which would create staggered terms for justices. The president would be allowed to appoint one justice to a two-year term. Bustos said SGA would like to expand the roles and responsibilities of the judicial branch to keep the branch active in the governing process. SGA also hopes to create more positions, define the roles of committees and senators and expand the roles of the president, according to Matamoros.

“If you have a government that is dysfunctional because of all these structural discrepancies, you’ll never get anywhere,” he said. “Our idea is to fix as much as possible and avoid a lot of the personal interpretations of what the constitution means.” The constitutional convention has been a passion for Matamoros, who wanted to implement it last year. He authored Senate Bill 009, which was passed last month. Matamoros said the idea for reform has been present for several semesters. “This was something we wanted to do last year, but there wasn’t as much enthusiasm about it as there is now,” he commented. In order for the senate to keep the student body’s interests in mind, Matamoros said it is important that reform take place. “Increasingly, the senate is concerned more with senate issues and not student issues because they are trying to fight over themselves on these constitu-

tional issues,” he said. Matamoros said the changes wouldn’t affect students’ everyday lives, but would help ensure their concerns were being fully addressed.

Q “A lot of the senates in the past have had a lot of internal problems over the years. The main purpose is to allow students to participate in the process of reformation.” - Tony Matamoros senator-at-large “Largely, it won’t affect students immediately, but it will affect how their government is being run,” the senator said. “It’s important though because these problems are not being clarified and creates conflict within the senate.” The convention was open to all students. Only students appointed by a

SPORTS

March 21, 2007

Page 13

ENLIGHTENED BY LUCAS

BASEBALL

Predicting a fantasy outcome

By LUKE KOONG The Pan American So if any of you are into March Madness, you most likely filled out a bracket for the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament. And, unless you’re Biff from “Back to the Future,” you wouldn’t have seen Virginia Commonwealth University upsetting Duke. As of today, my bracket sits at 64.6 percent correct. My Final Four is already devastated. Judging by current progress, my per-

centage will probably get worse. On the other hand, my fantasy basketball team, the Cows, is recovering. The return of Yao Ming has boosted me into fourth place after I had been sitting at 11th or 12th for much of the season. Now all I need are players who can improve my free-throw percentage category. I only won three points from it last week. And let’s not get into my Fantasy Premier League team. Perhaps it would help if I knew more players… So, here’s to a predictable Regionals round in the NCAA Tournament. Here’s to a good week in the NBA for all of the Texas teams, especially Houston. And here’s to the staff of The Pan American as we set out to compete against the rest of Texas at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association competition in San Antonio (which happens to be hosting the South Regionals action). Please send all questions, comments or pictures of Shih Tzu’s to lkoong2004@yahoo.com.

Baseball team goes 2-1 in weekend action UTPA basketball receives honors Baseball The University of Texas-Pan American baseball squad finished its three-game series with the University of Northern Colorado with a 7-6 victory Sunday. On St. Patrick’s Day, the Broncs fell by a score of 7-2 after opening the series on Friday with a win on a Patrick Brooks home run in the seventh inning. Their weekend work leaves the Broncs at 11-19. Basketball Six UTPA basketball players received All-United Basketball League honors this week. Senior MaHogany Daniel, junior LeKeisha Gray and junior Tamara Vaughn made the all-conference team, which was announced Monday. Daniel leaves the Lady Broncs’ program after getting 196 points, 55 blocks and 196 rebounds this season. Junior Brian Burrell, senior Colin Lien and junior Paul Stoll notched honors for the men’s side. Burrell was the UBL Newcomer of the Year after scoring 10 or more points in 25 of 29 games this season. Lien was among the top 10 players in NCAA Division I Independent for total rebounds and rebounds per game. Stoll received Independent Newcomer of the Week three times this season. Golf On the golf course, the Lady Broncs finished 10th at the Fifth Annual Shamrock Intercollegiate on Sunday. Junior Elizabeth Rodriguez and freshman My Bark were UTPA’s top golfers as both tied for 37th overall. The golfers will compete again March 26 at the UALR/UNT Golf Classic. Track & Field Senior Will Littleton received national recognition March 15 when he was named to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-American Team. He finished with a height of 7-2.25 in the high jump and earned seventh place. The Pan American

Statistics current as of March 19

AVG

RBI

Gonzalez, R. Flores, O. Hutcherson, J. Tognietti, D. Garcia, A. Johnson, J. Brooks, P. Guzman, M. Autrey, L. Bartosh, L. Bourn, N. Dugas, J. Guajardo, A. Whittlesey, B. Smith, Z. Spears, N. Honeycutt, B. Garza, E. Davila, S. Linder, C.

.333 .321 .273 .272 .263 .254 .239 .211 .208 .200 .195 .174 .167 .163 .160 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000

105 112 33 92 80 59 113 95 101 25 41 23 6 43 25 10 8 3 1 0

20 13 6 13 12 10 17 12 11 0 3 4 0 4 0 1 0 1 0 0

35 36 9 25 21 15 27 20 21 5 8 4 1 7 4 0 0 0 0 0

4 11 3 7 1 0 7 1 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

17 16 4 12 6 5 21 4 10 2 4 3 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 0

1 8 0 4 5 7 3 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Team Total

.244

975

128

238

110

Player

Pitching statistics ERA

W-L

APP

Flores, O. Wymer, J. Linder, C. Silva, R. Guajardo, A. Johnson, J. Hutcherson, J. Rodriguez, P. Davila, S. Smolen, B. Cisper, C. Janecka, S. Sheppard, M. Pena, C. Mancini, E. Radermacher, R.

0.00 2.95 3.21 4.11 6.75 7.04 7.11 7.45 7.71 7.89 8.54 9.00 10.03 30.00 40.50 54.00

0-0 3-4 1-0 1-0 1-3 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-4 3-3 0-4 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0

3 8 3 10 11 2 5 7 19 7 7 3 7 3 5 1

2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3.0 55.0 14.0 15.1 41.1 7.2 6.1 9.2 25.2 29.2 32.2 2.0 11.2 3.0 0.2 0.1

2 45 13 22 58 12 7 14 25 48 40 7 19 11 3 1

0 25 6 9 35 12 5 9 26 29 33 6 14 11 3 2

0 18 5 7 31 6 5 8 22 26 31 2 13 10 3 2

0 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 2 3 4 1 4 1 0 0

Team Total

6.59

11-19

258.0

327

225

189

Players

March 20 Texas-Pan American at A&M-Corpus Christi A&M-Corpus Christi 4, Texas-Pan American 1 R H E Texas-Pan American 100 000 000 1 5 0 A&M-Corpus Christi 000 022 00X 4 12 2 Shepherd, Davila (6), Silva (7) and Flores; Wall, Burdine (3), Thompson (6), Harris (8), Maldonado (8) and Plumaj. W-Burdine (1-0); L-Shepherd (0-2); S-Maldonado (3). HR-A&MCC: Williams, C., Williams, D., Parra. Texas-Pan American (11-20), A&M-Corpus Christi (14-11)

MEN’S GOLF SCHEDULE

WOMEN’S GOLF SCHEDULE

April 2 Branson Creek Invitational Host - Missouri State Branson, Mo. All Day April 3 Branson Creek Invitational Host - Missouri State Branson, Mo. All Day May 11 National Minority College Golf Championships Port St. Lucie, Fla. All Day May 12 National Minority College Golf Championships Port St. Lucie, Fla. All Day May 13 National Minority College Golf Championships Port St. Lucie, Fla. All Day

April 2 MSU/Payne Stewart Memorial Host - Missouri State Springfield, Mo. All Day April 3 MSU/Payne Stewart Memorial Host - Missouri State Springfield, Mo. All Day May 11 National Minority College Golf Championships Port St. Lucie, Fla. All Day May 12 National Minority College Golf Championships Port St. Lucie, Fla. All Day May 13 National Minority College Golf Championships Port St. Lucie, Fla. All Day

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD SCHEDULE April 4 Texas Relays Host - University of Texas Austin April 5 Texas Relays Host - University of Texas Austin April 6 Texas Relays Host - University of Texas Austin April 7 Texas Relays Host - University of Texas Austin April 147 ASU/David Noble Relays Host - Angelo State University San Angelo April 21 Longhorn Invitational Host - University of Houston Austin May 4 Houston Invitational Host - University of Houston Houston May 10 ACU Last Chance Meet Host - Abilene Christian Abilene May 25 NCAA Midwest Regional Championships Host - Drake University Des Moines, Iowa

All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day

May 26 NCAA Midwest Regional Championships Host - Drake University Des Moines, Iowa June 6 NCAA Outdoor National Championships Host - Sacramento State Sacramento, Calif. June 7 NCAA Outdoor National Championships Host - Sacramento State Sacramento, Calif. June 8 NCAA Outdoor National Championships Host - Sacramento State Sacramento, Calif. June 9 NCAA Outdoor National Championships Host - Sacramento State Sacramento, Calif. June 22 USA Outdoor Championships Indianapolis, Ind. June 23 USA Outdoor Championships Indianapolis, Ind. June 24 USA Outdoor Championships Indianapolis, Ind. June 25 USA Outdoor Championships Indianapolis, Ind.

All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day

SPORTS

Page 14

March 21, 2007

Unique fitness regiments find followers in Valley By PATRICK B. KENNEDY The Pan American Spring break has come and gone, and many a student here at The University of Texas-Pan American has made the long and weary journey from the bikini-clad shores of South Padre Island to the backpack-laden hallways of the university, with vacation still on their minds. With a three-month break on the distant horizon, many students are looking to beef up or slim down for summer fun. Some seek out unusual and/or New Age forms of exercise. DANCING TO FITNESS One of the new exercise crazes taking the Valley by storm issSalsa exercise. Many dance studios around the Valley, like Salsa Dance and Fitness studio of McAllen, offer classes to men and women, feature a vigorous fat burning exercise while teaching the fiery Latin dance. “It is a total body exercise, but it is also a mind exercise,” says the owner and creator of Salsa Dance and Fitness, Orlando Perez. Perez, a founder of the Salsa McAllen Dance Company, says that dancing - and helping others develop healthy lifestyles - has become very important to him. “I’ve been dancing all my life, and I am very passionate about what I do,”

he said. Perez says that clients who have seriously taken up dance exercise have seen dramatic results in their overall health. In fact, salsa dancing can have such a deep impact that some doctors are referring patients with heart problems to the studio. Male and female clients of Salsa Dance and Fitness have reported improvements in their physical and mental well-being, as well as improvements in their sex lives. For those wondering, Perez describes salsa dancing as a very effective form of aerobic exercise. Although some students may enjoy the feisty rhythms of salsa, others prefer the beats and grinds of another type of dance exercise, the art of “krumping.” Krumping is a form of dance exercise invented by Tommy the Clown in the early ‘90s. It combined the music of hip-hop and tribal dance moves to form a rigorous form of break dancing. This West Coast style has people hitting the floor and dropping the fat at McAllen’s Urban Underground dance and exercise studio. At Urban Underground, clients from seven to 30 years of age practice dance moves in a relaxed atmosphere. “We practice the elements of hiphop in a positive environment,” says founder Christie Trevino, a former UTPA student who has used her extensive dance background to bring the art and exercise

of krumping to the Valley. In fact, Trevino was once a member of UTPA’s Folkloric Dance Company, and studied under Francisco Munoz and his wife, both professors of dance at the university. The “positive environment” that Trevino speaks of is one unique to the Valley exercise scene. When those working out are tired and wish to take a break, they can choose to play a little X-Box in one corner of the building, or paint their own graffiti art on a wall used for tagging. Because krumping requires many lifts of the body, it is a very effective way to work on upper body strength. “People are coming from as far away as Brownsville to come and participate in our krumping classes,” Trevino said. According to her, Krumping is gaining popularity in the Valley, as evidenced by the appearance of her students krumping at venues such as the South Texas Scorcher and on television, for the “Orale Charlie!” show. ANCIENT BUT NEW While some students get down to the hardcore beats of hip-hop, others women in particular - have searched for a more exotic way of getting in shape. Their quest has led them to the art of belly dancing. Belly dance instructor Monique Jeffery Sanchez travels the city of McAllen throughout the week teaching

Elizabeth Kennedy/The Pan American IN RHYTHM - Monique Jeffery Sanche, senior sociology and psychology major, teaches belly dancing at Urban Underground.Belly dancing is a good way to lose weight and boost self-confidence.

women the art and exercise of belly dancing. She teaches classes at Salsa Dance and Fitness, Cornerstone Fitness Center and Urban Underground. The senior sociology and psychology major from Belize is a certified personal trainer and aerobics instructor who studied with the National Dance Company of Belize. She says that belly dancing is “sultry and seductive.” “Women come in looking for a physical transformation, but leave hav-

ing both lost weight and having gained confidence with themselves,” Sanchez said. The dance and exercise, which has attracted women from the age of 16 to 86, burns approximately 300 calories an hour and serves as a great abdominal workout. “The most important result of belly dancing is not the weight loss,” says Sanchez, “but the dancer becoming more comfortable with herself.”

Student-athletes honored for academic success By KRISTYNA MANCIAS The Pan American Playing a collegiate sport and being a full-time student is a balancing act for many athletes. It takes a certain type of individual to maintain high standards on the court and in the classroom. Here at The University of Texas-Pan American there are several athletes that have overcome the obstacles of playing on the road while managing to excel academically. The Bronc Pride 3.0 club is a way student-athletes can be recognized for their efforts in the classroom. In the fall semester, UTPA had 46 student-athletes maintain a 3.5 grade point average, including 16 with a 4.0 GPA. “The 3.0 club is made up of student-athletes who’ve had 3.0 or above in each semester or cumulative GPA,” said first year Academic Counselor Frances Garate. “Student-athletes that do have it are the ones that have really good time management skills. They report to class and they do what is asked of them.”

UTPA’s golf squads rank among the top academically as the Broncs have a cumulative GPA of 3.292 while the women recorded the highest of all sports with 3.519. Time management is the key to success when trying to maintain a high GPA. While some students have a fulltime job, student-athletes view practice

“Traveling is the only difficult part because you miss class, but most of the professors are pretty lenient in getting you caught up. What I found out is that most of the professors try to help you and try to make special accommodations when we are on the road,” said criminal justice major and basketball forward Zach Trader.

athletes’ efforts off the court. “You want your students-athletes to be a student first and an athlete second. They need to perform in the classroom. That’s something that’s a given. If they don’t do well then that’s a correlation that they are not going to do well on the court,” Schuberth said. “I’m very proud of the fact that we’ve had several

RAMIREZ

BUCK

TRADER

and road trips as full-time commitments. Traveling is the most difficult part of being a student-athlete, but with technology it seems to bring the classroom closer to the student.

Doing well as a student-athlete in the classroom translates to shining on the court, and coaches will be the first to tell you that. Head men’s basketball coach Tom Schuberth recognizes his

guys this past semester achieve a 3.0 and be a role model for some of the other teammates and some of the fellow athletes on campus.” Entering freshmen are required to

attend a certain number of study hall hours each week. If student-athletes fail to meet these requirements they will suffer the consequences on and off the court. Graduate student Ryan Buck, who is currently working on his master’s in business administration, agrees that being a student-athlete is a full-time job. “You have to go to 10 hours of study hall, balance class and practice is like a full-time job,” Buck said. “You have to make sure to balance all your school-work with basketball and anything else you got going on in your life.” Athletes quickly learn that being a student comes first before anything else. Lady Bronc Cinthia Ramirez, who will be a senior on the basketball squad next season, offered advice for entering freshmen. “I would tell every freshman to take their first year serious,” Ramirez said. “I think your first year is the most important. It is the base for college. If you start off really good with your classes and learn to manage your time and work hard, it will get easier at the end.”

SPORTS

March 21, 2007

Page 15

Field athletes hit new marks during outdoor season By SAVANNAH MARTINEZ The Pan American To watch a person compete in a field event is to observe the body in the purest of physical poetry, agility, grace and beauty. Though it may seem easy when you watch the Olympics, The University of Texas-Pan American field athletes know how much work it takes to achieve such perfect grace. Junior theater major and high jumper Noel Reyna said the most challenging aspect of his event is the mental and physical conflict that comes with it. “You have to be flexible, you have to be strong, you have to be quick and you have to be mentally strong in order to do the high jump,” Reyna, a native of Burlington Township, N.J. said. “Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy.” Hammer thrower Amanda Ferris from San Antonio agrees with Reyna as she said a clear mindset is essential to performing in her event. Clarity during the Tom Tellez Invitational helped Ferris take first place with a 171-7 in the hammer throw. “The hammer throw is a mind

game. I prepare my mind every day that I go out to practice,” said the junior kinesiology major. “I can’t be thinking about other things. I have to be real relaxed and I have to have a clear mindset if I want to throw far.” For some of the field athletes the most difficult part of their events is more physical than mental. “My events that I participate in really demonstrate your strength. What makes them so challenging is that you have to be really technical. You have to get the technique down before you even try to throw far,” said Michelle Elizondo, a sophomore mathematics major and shot put/hammer thrower from Laredo. Elizondo’s best performances to date have been a 42-3.50 in the shot put and a 149 in the hammer throw. Long and triple jumper Liliana Cavazos of Weslaco agrees with her teammate Elizondo. “Both [of my events] are very challenging because there is a lot of pounding on your body and you have to be really strong to stay level,” said Cavazos, a junior kinesiology major. Cavazos’s physical preparations have helped her notch a 17-8 in the long

jump and a 37-3 in the triple jump. Reyna’s father encouraged him to compete in the high jump. “Many, many moons ago I saw my brother compete in the high jump and I thought to myself, ‘I can do that better’,” he said. “So I joined the summer track programs at age 12. I started winning a couple of meets and setting a couple middle school and high school records. I got hooked and I knew this was it.” Cavazos said it wasn’t watching someone else do a field event that inspired her. It was someone guiding her through the physical process of jumping. “In the seventh grade I started jumping, and my coach had gotten mad at me because I didn’t know how to do triple,” Cavazos said. “I remember telling him, ‘Coach, I don’t know what the triple jump is,’ and he apologized and taught me how to do it. That was the event that took me to Junior Olympics, and state my senior year.” Many of the athletes take pleasure in what they do. Cavazos enjoys the glorifying moment of landing. “The best part of the long and triple jump is the landing. I like to feel the sand on my toes afterwards.”

Onydia Garza/The Pan American STRONG PERFORMANCE - Junior Amanda Ferris placed first for the third straight competition in the hammer throw. UTPA track and field competes again Saturday.

NOTES: Will Littleton placed first in the high jump and broke the previous school record with a 7-3 performance. Ferris placed first in the hammer throw for her third straight event championship. Carolina Izaguirre of Brownsville finished with a 18:15.90,

fifth-best in program history and enough for second place at the Tom Tellez Invitational. Senior David Trevino of Brownsville took first place with 1:53.77 in the 800-meter dash. Both squads will compete on Saturday at the Texas Invitational in Austin.

Men fade late, go 1-2 during break while women fall to Tech By ERICK QUINTERO The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American men’s tennis squad posted a 12 record at home over Spring Break, including a March 14 loss (6-1) against the University of Nebraska, followed a day later by a 5-2 home victory versus Marist College and a 4-3 defeat against visiting Monterrey Tech. It wasn’t that the loss hurt him; it was the lack of effort that infuriated him. So when the men’s squad gave up significant leads only to be swept by a visiting Nebraska team in doubles action, firstyear head coach Robert Hubbard had no choice but to rip into his team. “They’ve got to have courage, absolutely, because it’s late,” he said. “We are fourteen matches into the season and we faded at all three doubles spots. We had leads in all three doubles and we were up a service break late in all three.” At the number-one position for UTPA, David Lopez-Heredia teamed up with freshmen Brett Bernstein to take a commanding 5-3 lead over Arturo Navarro and Mark Tate but cooled off as the Cornhusker pair iced the first match, 8-6. The Bronc duo of junior Ivan Avila and freshmen Nirvick Mohinta squandered an early 6-3 lead against David

Bendheim and Adrian Szatmary thus dropping the number-two spot 9-7. In the third round UTPA junior Gary Bianco fought hard alongside Finnish import Shashank Vij, but faltered versus James Clow and Francois Van Impe, 8-4. “If it’s the second or third match in the season against a nationally ranked team I might understand a little more,” said a disappointed Hubbard. “There was no reason to fade like that. That was concentration, heart and basically backbone.” The fiery coach added the meltdown was inexcusable, concluding by saying the squad’s goal is to move back into the national rankings. “The guys chose to come here because we have that national schedule so you have to buck up and have a little bit of heart,” Hubbard said. Bianco played smart and avenged his doubles defeat to Van Impe in the singles number-two spot, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 to capture the lone point for the Broncs. COMEBACK Twenty-four hours later the men dealt Marist College a 5-2 setback. Bianco teamed up with Avila and defeated Pedro Genovese and Federico Rolon in the number-one doubles spot 8-3. But the two and three duos dropped 8-6 and 8-3 decisions as Marist opened the score 1-0; however UTPA dominated singles

play 5-1 and captured the match. Bianco said strong doubles play is critical to the Broncs’ success. “We feel like we have three competitive doubles teams and we don’t win enough of the doubles’ points,” he said. “Sometimes we have one doubles, sometimes we have none, but we need two out of three to get the doubles point. It’s an important point because it’s the start of the match. You start 1-0 instead of 0-1.” Bianco proved prophetic as UTPA stumbled in doubles competition 1-2 on Sunday to a visiting Tech en route to a 43 defeat. The team is now 6-11 overall and will resume play March 25 in San Antonio against Louisiana-Lafayette. WOMEN IN ACTION On the other side of the racket Monterrey Tech snapped the Lady Broncs current five-match winning streak, with a 5-2 victory on Sunday afternoon in Edinburg. The streak dated back to a 4-3 victory over Texas A&M Corpus Christi Feb. 17 and included wins over Nicholls State, 4-3, Prairie View A&M, 7-0, Connecticut, 5-2 and a 4-3 win March 15 over Stephen F. Austin. “Five in a row. They came out and made a real statement as we swept all three doubles,” Hubbard said in praise of the women. In the singles’ round junior Giana

Oliveira and freshmen Meagan Bedeau lost their tie breaker, while Stephanie Willerding suffered a foot injury and lost her game 6-3, 6-4 to Laura Harrison. “I would have loved to have seen the number one and four singles played out in the third set instead of the super tie breaker,” Hubbard said about the Oliveira and Bedeau matches. “It’s just really sort of a crab shoot there, but I felt confident that we could have won the third set in both of those. “The girls didn’t play the super tiebreaks well; it’s tough to play them when you’ve already clinched the match. Still we need to play those super tiebreakers a little better, but a victory is a victory. We did well. We knew they were going to be a tough one for us to beat.” The women earned the doubles’ point winning two out of three matches, as Julia Cirne-Lima and Willerding defeated Monterrey Tech’s Chris Martinez and Nora Madrazo 8-6 in the number-two spot. In the number-three spot Bedeau and sophomore Silke Buksik upended Cordelia Montemayor and Adriana Canepa 8-6. Buksik managed the only other point for the women at the number-five spot, defeating Montemayor 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. The loss drops the Lady Broncs to 7-8 on the season as they look forward to the next action, March 30 in Houston versus Rice.

SPORTS

Editor’s Pick: Game to Watch When: Thursday Time: 6:27 p.m. Where: Alamodome Texas A&M

Will be aired on CBS Sports

Memphis

N’awlins transfers spice up Bronc squad “Adventure” and “competitive” are two words that 22-year-old Shaskank Vij and 20-year-old Nirvick Mohinta both used to describe their challenging lives. Mohinta and Vij are two new players for The University of TexasPan American’s tennis program. They relocated to Edinburg in January after Hurricane Katrinia cut short their careers at the University of New Orleans. The aftermath of Katrina left Mohinta and Vij scrambling to find a new scholarship. UTPA tennis coach Robert Hubbard gave them that second chance. “They were both part of the International Tennis Federation and part of the junior world rankings,” Hubbard said. “They also came from The University of New Orleans already on scholarship. They are very fine players and we knew they would be great additions to our lineup.” Both men play singles and doubles matches and have competed against many top universities. Mohinta’s record currently stands at 48 in singles and 5-6 in doubles and Vij’s record stands at 1-10 in singles

and 5-5 in doubles. It took them a while to get back on the tennis court after Katrina, but Mohinta and Vij are determined to get better and forget the tragedy that struck them in New Orleans. Mohinta is currently a sophomore marketing major. He was born in Calucutta, India, and moved to New Orleans in the fall of 2005 because of a scholarship offer. As a young boy, his dream was to always play at the best of his ability and make it to the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour. Mohinta has been playing tennis since he was 7 years old and ranks 600th in the world, 16th in his country and second in his state. Vij, a sophomore computer engineering major, was born in Helsinki, Finland. He, too, moved to New Orleans in the fall of 2005 after receiving a tennis scholarship. Vij, who has been playing tennis since he was 6 years old, dreamt of being No. 1 in the world. While he isn’t quite there yet, he is working on it. Vij played for a national team in Finland that traveled around Europe and while still under the age of 18, ranked second in his country. While in New Orleans,

Mohinta and Vij lived on campus until Katrina hit and forced them to evacuate. Leaving was hard and in the end, both returned to New Orleans for a time. Mohinta said he got stuck on campus and couldn’t leave, which prompted him to call state police. They came to pick him up and drove him to a church 70 miles away, which took 15 hours due to traffic. “I stayed at the church for three nights along with about 500 students from different schools,” Mohinta said. “The Red Cross gave us water and supplies and on the fourth day announced that they were low on items, so they were going to have to transport us to the Superdome.” But Mohinta did not want to relocate there and instead called a friend in Tennessee who offered him shelter. There, he attended Tusculum College in Greenville, Tenn., a private sister college to Princeton. He was there for about four months before he decided to go back to New Orleans. Vij, on the other hand, ended up staying with a private hospital where a friend’s mom worked since he had nowhere else to go. He slept on the floor of an office for a couple of days until it was safe to go back. Since New Orleans was not a livable city and school was going to be cancelled for a while, he relocated to Texas A&M for a semester and then decided to go back to New Orleans. Arriving back at New Orleans, Mohinta and Vij both witnessed firsthand disasters all around the city. Houses destroyed, trees on

top of houses and on streets, shattered windows and destroyed electricity lines were everywhere. They wanted to continue playing tennis there, but unfortunately for them, few players returned to be on the team and there was no coach to lead them. HEADING SOUTH Mohinta and Vij then started seeking universities to attend. They applied to many schools but The University of Texas-Pan American was the one that gave them scholarships. Both men say that Hubbard has been very supportive with everything that has happened to them and is helping them out in every aspect of the college experience, including education and tennis. The team members have also embraced the refugees. “They allow us to be competitive,” said Gary Bianco, captain of the men’s tennis team. “They add depth to the team and don’t give up on the court. They are good teammates and always cheer on the team.” For Vij and Monhinta, acclimating themselves to the campus, local people and warm weather has gone smoothly. According to both men, the biggest difference between N e w

Luke Koong/The Pan American

By RAMIRO PAEZ The Pan American

Orleans and Edinburg is the culture and the standard of living. They say that Edinburg consists of mainly Hispanics while New Orleans had many African Americans. The standard of living is a lot higher here than it is in New Orleans, as well. Life for Mohinta and Vij has been like a rollercoaster since coming to the United States but both have managed to do well in every obstacle that was thrown their way. Mohinta plans to continue playing tennis at UTPA and wants to one day compete at the professional level. Depending on how that is working out for him, he says that he may go back to school to get his master’s. For now, he continues to live by a mantra instilled in him by his father. “Till this day, even when I call my dad on the phone, he never forgets to tell me that there is no substitute for hard work,” Mohinta said. Vij also plans to continue to play at UTPA and wants to stay on to complete a master’s degree. Despite the hardships, Vij says life is good. “Many things of my life and my enthusiasm for tennis have gotten me up to this point,” Vij said. “I definitely wouldn’t change anything and without the hurricane, I wouldn’t be here right now.”