Volume 67, No. 11
THE PAN AMERICAN
November 18, 2010
Graduate school expects to avoid cuts By Roxann Garcia The Pan American
With the state’s projected budget shortfall for 2012-13 soaring by the month, higher education institutions across Texas are getting to be experts in cutting the fat off their expenditures. This week it was announced that beyond the 10 to 15 percent cuts already requested by the UT System, another slice of up to 10 percent will have to be pared from budgets like the one at UTPA over the next two fiscal years. As the amount of money to work with gets smaller and smaller, it’s no wonder programs are shuffling to hold onto what they can. However the Graduate Studies Department is optimistic about the 57 master’s, three doctoral and two cooperative doctoral degrees housed within the seven colleges. The hope is that as the university looks for things to cut, grad school will not be a target. But every program is going to have to provide a justification for what it produces in the way of grads and grants. The race is on for efficiency. “Currently the state is looking at programs that don’t meet the threshold or are low-producing,” said Cynthia Brown, vice provost for Graduate Studies. The best way for programs to survive is to be relevant and productive, meaning that departments that respond to the needs of the American workplace and Valley community will be in good shape, Brown continued. Currently no plans have been made to cut any graduate programs but there are alternate options such as folding one program into another if the two are related. Another is a streamlining idea which would recommend cutting back on electives offered per semester. “We may look into offering fewer options for graduates as far as electives go,” Brown said. “Every semester students might not have as many offered as the year before.” One thing is for certain: brand-new programs will likely not be touched during the winnowing process, Brown continued. A beginning operation is given time to develop, because an entering graduate takes an average of two years to complete and it will take a few more years to tell the relevance and productivity of the program in terms of jobs gained and services provided by grads. Such nascent programs recently implemented on campus include experimental psychology, engineering management, and physician’s assistant studies. The recent recession has affected people nationwide, including job-hunting college grads. According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Em-
Page 2 - Big business Student sharesmight have packed their bags, but border they never left woes
Tammy Ayala / THE PAN AMERICAN
GRADUATE SHUFFLE - Ubaldo Delgado and Amanda Luevand listen to UTSA presenters at a Graduate studies fair Tuesday evening at Renaissance Casa De Palmas in McAllen. ployers, the number of 2010 U.S college graduates who had already landed jobs upon graduation rose to 24 percent this past spring, compared with 20 percent last year. There also seems to be an extreme note of pragmatism in the search. Graduates are strolling into the Graduate Studies office and are not attracted to challenging career opportunities, but instead start by asking about dollar figures, says graduate recruiter Sergio Palacios. Grads are looking for fields that have not suffered as much during the downturn, and ones that offer the most lucrative opportunities. At the forefront of the group of programs are occupations in the health sciences, says Brown. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, health care is a field where significant growth is being tracked. Jobs are expected to increase by 20 percent, amounting to 35,100 new positions, by 2018. For now, the graduate world at UTPA might be able to avoid being a major casualty of the next round of
Page 3 - Jobsstudent after Current graduation becoming scarce
strives for excellence
chops, especially if individual programs can show they are productive and not low-performing. Still, there will definite-
ly be some tweaks made to try and save money and be more efficient. “There is always a need for restructur-
ing or an increase in skills for the workplace because of the changing nature of jobs,” Brown said.
Graphic by Kevin Stitch
Page 11 -over Holiday guide ‘Get it,gift Potter-
heads’
SAMS ayudando a la Page 14 - Q&A with volleyball player Rebecca Toddy comunidad de bajos recursos
Broncs celebrate Senior Night at final volleyball game
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November 18, 2010 Vol. 67, No. 11
Commentary
Home? ‘Things are messed up’ International student recognizes need to move on in wake of violence in hometown
Not too long ago, if one thought about drug wars, cartels, or violence, one pondered C o l o m bia. Today, if I think of any of these words, Sara Hernandez I think Sports Editor “home.” About a month ago I was driving home to Matamoros with my dad and I asked him how were things back at home. He responded, “Things are alright, pretty calm… they just have this thing now where they throw grenades at government buildings.” Say what? Things are “alright”? For those of you who don’t believe it yet, things ARE messed up all over the place in Mexico when it comes to safety, and it’s obviously caused by the drug war that has been going on for a few years now. Things have gotten way worse in recent months.
And I’m not going to go into detail, out that the latest casualty was not a loved and am I not about to touch anything one. Knock on wood. Most of us think twice now about drug war-related, take sides, or discuss possible solutions to the current problem. going back home during the weekend So this is the only way I can describe the like we used to, or taking advantage of way I feel when I think of the situation breaks such as Thanksgiving to spend time with family. back at home. Things are messed up. The violence has After having a also forced many peoconversation about all these matters “ Citites where violence ple in small towns to get out of their homes with a close friend, I caught myself dis- has increased dramatically to move to a safer place. Cities where appointedly saying, “Mexico sucks,” to are declining economically violence has increased dramatically (specifimy roommate as I because there is no cally border ones) are entered the apartment. She thought commerce or tourism, declining economically because there is there had been a soccer game in and nobody is interested no commerce or tourism, and nobody is which the national team had done bad- in investing in businesses interested in investing ly. I would’ve never located in the areas of in business located in areas of conflict. Also, pronounced those classes have been cantwo words together conflict. ” celled lately to keep otherwise. But I students from having did, and it’s sad. to leave their houses, Knowing about people killed just adds to the depres- so the violence will also have an impact sion…that is, when numbers can be in education. But life has to go on. Even though counted. The details are passed largely by word of mouth, and one is relieved to find knowing that most of my family lives in
areas of stress is in the back of my head throughout each day, I know that both for me and for them… life goes on. I have goals to accomplish and they have things they have to take care of no matter what. We can’t sit and wait for the hard times to pass, we have to keep on going with our lives. My dad’s example is just one way inhabitants in these places cope with the situation. A couple of days ago I saw a group on Facebook (one of those people “like” nonstop) that read in Spanish, “Mom, I’m leaving. Are you wearing your bulletproof vest? Yes! Well, have a good day.” As people get used to hearing gunshots any time of the day, they are doing their best to make the best out of the worst. I guess it’s human nature to hope for the best and to expect things to get better some time soon… or eventually, so life can go back to normal, if there is such a thing. All I know is that things can’t keep being like this, or at least I hope they can get better soon. People who come from the war zone have to eventually regain pride in their hometown and confidence in the security of the place they call “home.”
THE PAN AMERICAN 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 The Pan American is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or university.
EDITOR IN CHIEF: Kristen Cabrera kmcabrera22@gmail.com NEWS EDITOR: Roxann Garcia roxx.gar11@gmail.com ONLINE/SPANISH EDITOR: Denisse Salinas dns_145@hotmail.com ARTS & LIFE EDITOR: Benny Salinas 9_benny_9@live.com SPORTS EDITOR: Sara Hernandez shernandez261@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Alma E. Hernandez alma.e.hdz@gmail.com SENIOR DESIGNER: Jennifer Tate jen489@gmail.com DESIGNERS: Alexis Carranza alexis091@aol.com ADVISER: Dr. Greg Selber selberg@utpa.edu ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE: Anita Reyes areyes18@utpa.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER: Mariel Cantu spubs@utpa.edu WEBMASTER: Jose Villarreal josemvillarrealcs@gmail.com Selvino Padilla selvinop3@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Steven Kennedy srkennedy56@yahoo.com
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The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. We reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. We cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@gmail.com. Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format or needing assistance to attend any event listed can contact The Pan American for more details.
November 18, 2010
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Former UTPA prof named new group chair Moyer rejoins faculty as a Pan American Retiree Association official. By Karen Antonacci The Pan American
finish up in mathematics. So in 2003, while her husband worked at an oil company, Carranza was finally able to return to school. “I got to be a stay-at-home wife and a full-time student, and I did nothing but homework and housework for a full year,” the 31-year-old said. In the summer of 2004, Carranza took a part-time job in a company by the border to make some money. And just like in Round Rock, this turned into a full-time job, this time making her leave school for five years. During that time, Carranza managed to become the global customer services representative for the company, responsible for being marketing liaison for the corporate office: anything that involved numbers, she took part in, she said. She had managed
In 1969 Nancy Moyer came from southern Illinois to teach at Pan American College partly for the warm weather and proximity to Mexico, but mostly to get away from the violence of the time. “I was attracted to the school because in southern Illinois, well 1968 was a politically lively time,” she recalls. “So they were constantly having building bombings and explosions, and we were having to evacuate buildings, and honestly I was really tired of having to evacuate buildings all the time. They set fire to the main building and burned out several areas of it, and they blew up the Ag building, there were a lot of radical groups on campus, and none of that was down here. “It was completely removed from all the campus activism, so it was nice to come here and relax and not have to worry about being blown up” In fact, when Moyer arrived at what is now UTPA, her surroundings served as a stark contrast to the campus it would grow to become in time. “My desk, my desk, honest to God, was an old door on the top of some crates for a semester,” she said. “And this was next to another faculty member who had upgraded to an old battered desk, and that’s the furniture we had. And then suddenly we moved into the new campus and it was lovely, and then the whole campus developed and evolved into what it is now. Moyer taught drawing and art education but when computers appeared on campus in the 1990s, she had to acquire an entirely new set of skills. “The campus started getting computers and we got electronic, and my graphic design people needed experience,” she remembered. “The university gave us a grant to take time off and be one with the computer. I mean we got videos and we set down and just learned it. And I just got addicted, I got really into it and kept upgrading and we finally got a graphic designer whose specialty was computer. I just hung around with him so I could go in and fix my own computer.” During 34 years of teaching at Pan Am, Moyer has worn
SEE SCHOLAR || PAGE 7
SEE RETIREE || PAGE 7
Roxann Garcia/THE PAN AMERICAN
BUSY BEE - Part of Claudia Carranza’s typical Friday begins in the MAGC building and ends at the ACAS. Mid-afternoon Carranza tutors students in the Learning Assistance Center.
Doing the Math Scholarship recipient, math tutor overcomes struggle to return to UTPA for teaching degree, dream By Alejandra Martinez The Pan American When Claudia Carranza first enrolled at The University of TexasPan American in 1997 she had one thing on her mind: music. Growing up with her sister, the violin virtuoso, and being part of choir as a teenager convinced her music was it for her. However, detours in her life that made her quit college more than once, led her down a completely different path. “I would watch my two sisters and brother on stage in high school and say, ‘Mom, I want to be on that stage, I want to be that,’” Carranza recalled. However, when she enrolled at the Science Academy of South Texas in Mercedes, music and all creative outlets were replaced by three solid years of science and mathematics. “I spent three years at this school doing heavy math and science, learning how to study, how to do homework, learning how to
do college-level stuff,” the McAllen so in 2000 she took a break from native recalled. “But without this school and took a summer job at the Sylvan Learning creative outlet, Center in Round which I had Rock, in Central loved in junior Texas. high. So, I “ I know somewhere, “I went up decided that was there and what no longer the someone believed started as a quick school for me.” summer job Carranza enough in what I was turned into two then transferred doing and my ability years of good, to Edinburg steady work and North where she to accomplish it that it I absolutely loved joined band and it,” she said. orchestra thus was worth the while for During her filling her life them. ” time in Round with the music Rock, Carranza she had missed became one of so much. the lead math In 1997 she at came to UTPA Claudia Carranza instructors Sylvan, however as a music major. Continuing student the lack of a However, music degree kept her was not her only from moving talent. Carranza forward. It was was also a math then that she whiz on account of her years at the Science Academy, decided to come back to UTPA to
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November 18, 2010
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No stopping ORSP?
Budget cuts expected to have little effect on campus research
“The university does not fund the sponsor projects that we do,” Bailey said. “So the budget cuts in itself at the university, could have an impact on Given the worldwide economic funding, because it could increase the downturn and its aftermath, it is no proposals that are submitted. I don’t surprise that UTPA has had to make think it will have a negative impact on some budget cuts. Naturally, it is proposal submission; quite the opposite.” important to consider how this will However, one thing that will affect learning at the university and remain constant at the university: more specifically, research by faculty/ finding appropriate funding for longstudents at UTPA. term student/faculty research initiatives Theresa Bailey, director for the Office will always be a process. of Research and Sponsored Projects “We are a full-service office. (ORSP), does not believe the proposed Basically we provide pre-award services, cuts, expected to be anywhere from 10 to non-fiscal award services, which means 25 percent over the next two fiscal years, we assist faculty from the beginning of will have a negative effect on proposal the (proposal) process. We help them submissions for research at UTPA. She identify funding resources,” Bailey says the ORSP is dedicated to helping explained. “We provide training services faculty attain funding for research/ for faculty, we make sure they have the sponsored projects by developing proper tooling that they need, to be able partnerships with outside agencies. And to be successful in grantsmanship. We the office helps faculty find monies for are the ones who review the proposal to research that the university cannot pay determine whether or not it is ready to for. move on for approval to be submitted to Bailey argues that if funding at the agencies. We receive the award. When UTPA is affected by budget cuts, this they are received, we will only increase provide contracting the number of services. We do the research/sponsored negotiation of the “ I donʼt think it will have projects proposals agreement.” submitted to the Lianna Setti, a negative impact on ORSP. In order grants and contracts for a proposal to proposal submission; specialist for the be considered it ORSP for the last ” quite the opposite. must first have a five years, explains cover page with that proposal original signatures are constantly and certification submitted to forms, have a clear the ORSP, with project abstract, six from applied solicitation/ mathematics alone p r o g r a m Theresa Bailey in just one week. announcement, One of the Director proposed budget, ORSP’s most as well as, a recently proposed justification for partnerships is the proposed budget. The proposal with UTPA’s Biology Department must also contain an indirect cost rate and the National Institutes of Health agreement and detail scope of work to be (NIH), which implements the Research done. Once the proposal is submitted, a Initiative for Scientific Enhancement designated research specialist will review (RISE) program for Minorityit and help edit or adjust the content. Serving Institutions (MSI), in the When it is correct the proposal can then hopes of increasing the number of be submitted to an appropriate funding students pursuing their Ph.D. in the source or agency for consideration. The underrepresented areas of biomedical ORSP is also prepared to help with the and behavioral research. This negotiation process of any accepted partnership, if accepted, is expected proposals. By Belinda Munos The Pan American
November 18, 2010
NEWS
to create some big changes to the university’s biology program. “The National Institutes of Health has a program called RISE,” Setti said. “(The) goal is to start the beginning of a bio-medical research program here at UTPA. So that’s kind of a big thing.” The RISE program is a limited submissions program that only allows one proposal submission for funding a year, with Robert Dearth, assistant professor of biology, making the primary proposal for starting the research program at UTPA. A proposed contract is being negotiated between UTPA’s Frank Dirrigl, assistant professor of biology, and S&B Infrastructure, an engineering and environmental services company. The hope is that Dirrigl will be able to provide expertise in environmental study, to make sure the company abides by federal laws that seek to protect the environment, as well as to, monitor the surrounding environment so that it is not contaminated or compromised during construction. “S&B infrastructure, their headquarters is in Austin, but they do a lot of contracting for the state and for the cities for civil engineering,” Setti said. “As part of that, any time you put in a road, you have to test the dirt and water and everything around it, and check for endangered species, so (Dirrigl’s) doing some environmental work for them; for their local branch (in McAllen).” Along with the Biology Department, the ORSP has also aided other proposal submitting departments attain funds for research/sponsored projects, including the Health Sciences and Human Services, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Business, Arts and Humanities, Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science, Community Engagement Department and even the Office of Enrollment Services. To view the status of research and sponsored projects’ proposals submitted to the ORSP, students and faculty are encouraged to visit the ORSP website at www.utpa. edu/orsp.
Veteran’s Day remembered
>> UTPA’s brigade celebrates the Nov. 11 holiday at the quad.
Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN
STARS AND STRIPES - Special speakers included Richard Aguirre, a retired Vietnam Veteran, Anthony Beltran, an Army Veteran and current UTPA student and Captain Kenneth Wright from the United States Army with “Taps” performed by UTPA music student David Moreno.
For a full story on this event, visit PANAMERICANONLINE.COM
November 18, 2010
NEWS
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Students voice ‘no more hate’ concerns
Police dept. continue to search for MexicanAmerican studies vandalism perpetuator.
mojados” was written on the sink counter of the women’s restroom on the third floor of the COAS BuildAcross the country, there has ing. After seeing it, faculty of the been a recent uptick in media atten- Mexican-American Studies program tion given to a handful of high-pro- reported the incident to the UTPA file cases of bullying, some of which Police Department. have had drastic endings. SensitivTo members of the Mexican ity, or lack thereof, has taken center American Studies program, the stage lately in incidents involving phrase is more than just bullying and privacy and Internet (Rutgers Uni- they feel the case should be examversity) and a number of high school ined by the university. Stephanie Alsituations of bullying leading to varez, assistant professor of Spanish either suicide or and co-director violence. of the program, According said bullying can to the National “When bullying is based on be dangerous if it Center for Eduis ignored, posrace, ethnicity, immigration sibly leading to cation Statistics from the Bureau status and/or language, it physical harm. of Justice Depart“I would arment, 33 percent however,” becomes even more dan- gue, of junior and explains Alvagerous and could be classi- rez, who’s been high school students reported at UTPA for two fied as hate speech. ” they were bullied years, “that when at school and 5 bullying is based percent cyberon race, ethnicbullied. Within ity, immigration the spectrum, 21 Stephanie Alvarez status and/or lanpercent reported guage, it becomes Assistant professor of Spanish they were called even more dangernames or insultous and could be ed with hurtful classified as hate words. speech.” At UTPA, students and profesThis isn’t the first time members of sors are asking themselves if calling the MAS program have come across a someone a “politically incorrect” term derogatory term. In the spring semester, would be considered bullying or rath- a co-founder of the group found one er, freedom of speech. of the club’s fliers with the word “moOn Oct. 22, the phrase “no more jados!” written on it. Orquidea Morales
By Pamela Morales The Pan American
said at the time it was surprising and that she didn’t know how to react. “We were really hoping that the program would help,” said Morales, a graduate student in Interdisciplinary Studies, referring to the Club and its open support with guest speakers such as Chicano poet Alurista this semester. “Obviously the incident means that it’s not getting through to the students. They don’t understand what hate speech is and they don’t understand it shouldn’t be part of a college campus.” The U.S. Department of Justice does not currently have 2009 statistics on hate crime but readily available were those from 2008, noting that 3,992 hate crimes motivated by racial bias were reported, with 12.5 percent occurring at schools or colleges. During the first incident in the spring, the overarching student response was one of being offended by the word. But one person said he did not find the phrase in any way offensive because more than likely it was a Mexican who wrote it, adding that in truth, 90 percent of UTPA students are Hispanic. As for the recent incident, sophomore Andrew Sanchez says it’s not just about who wrote it, but how an individual reacts. “If something that small bothers you so much, then you should grow up,” said Sanchez, a theater/film/TV major. “People are going to make fun
RETIREE
of you no matter who you are. You can’t avoid it.” Terry Hernandez, co-founder of the Mexican-American Studies Club, said that this is a good point, but still insists that avoiding the incident altogether would create more problems. “To get over it means that we should just say that ‘it’s OK that it happened, people use it all the time, there’s nothing wrong it, let’s get over it, let’s move on’ and then what,” explains Hernandez, a double major in English and Mexican American Studies. “It’ll happen again because now that term has been re-affirmed, that there’s nothing wrong using that term. It’s denying history, it’s denying the culture and it’s denying knowledge.” Although Hidalgo County reported zero incidents of hate crime in 2009, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported that 16.4 per-
cent of incidents in Texas are motivated by ethnicity/national origin, with anti-Hispanic crime being the most frequent. As for this case, Police Chief Roger Stearns stated that, “This graffiti incident is still under investigation by the UTPA Police Department. Officers are pursuing leads to identify the person or persons responsible. If anyone has information that will assist police with their investigation, please contact the police department at 956-665-7151.” The Club stands ready to come to the defense of those in need, and members invite the graffiti expert to come by a meeting and understand what the derogatory word means. “If they still want to use it,” Morales said. “Then that’s their personal choice, but at least they would have that knowledge.”
SCHOLAR
continued from Page 3 many hats and experienced both unique opportunities and interesting situations. Not only was she the first woman department chair in university history, but she also served as the first woman elected Faculty Senate chair. Moyer recalls the time that five members of the faculty sued 40 other members of the faculty, including herself because they had come to the defense of a faculty member on the verge of termination. The lawsuit lasted three years and resulted in tension between some branches of the faculty, and at the time, the students were largely oblivious to it all, said Moyer. Ultimately the faculty member was not terminated. Moyer said she found the whole ordeal to be enlightening and ultimately fun. Another time, Moyer recalls going with the Anthropology Club to Mexico; the incredible heat prompted them to go swimming in a cenote, a freshwater well connecting underground to the sea. “I jumped in and went under and got back up and thought, wow I didn’t
Jennifer Tate/THE PAN AMERICAN
continued from Page 3 expect to go under…and I realized that I hadn’t been swimming in a long time and I had lost that muscle tone that you really need to swim,” she explained. “But I could stay up so I thought ‘so much for the middle I’ll just go to the side,’ but then it hit me…it was bottomless. And you get this most incredible psychological slap, its bottomless, there’s no shallow end, and I’m in it.” Moyer decided to retire in 2003 so she could have more time to pursue other interests. Currently, she is involved with two local art magazines, is working on a new line of jewelry, showing an art exhibit at the IMAS, and collaborating on a group of public sculptures scheduled to go up in January at the McAllen Convention Center. Recently, however, Moyer added the title of Pan American Retirees Association (PARA) co-chair to an everexpanding list. She is chair once again. PARA is a new organization that aims to help UTPA retired faculty and staff stay connected to the university and with each other, said Christie
Cantu, development officer and PARA liaison. At the new group’s first meeting recently, Moyer along with chair Marian F. Monta, long-time leader of the UTPA theater, met to discuss the internal structure of the organization as well as the type of events members want for the future. “The group will meet formally and try to come up with a program of work: whether they want to have programs like luncheons, dinners, if they want to travel together, if they want to keep abreast of issues that affect their retirement,” Cantu reported. “But for now, they’re excited that they’re formally going to form this group and they’ll be able to come to events together. Sometimes some of them want to come to events but they don’t have anyone to come with, and this way, they can come with a fellow member, to theater, art exhibits, concerts, speakers, things like that.”
to build a career and unlike her previous job, the lack of a degree was not an issue. “They wanted me without a degree,” she said. “But I missed teaching. I missed that look on someone’s face when you explain something to them and they get it.” So, last fall she retuned to UTPA once again, this time determined to earn that math degree and pursue her passion: teaching. It hasn’t been an easy ride, she says. On top of a fulltime class schedule, Carranza is a teaching assistant, a supplemental instructor at the Learning Assistance Center, lab manager in the Math Department, a manager in a local roller derby league in Weslaco, and a mother of a two-year-old daughter whom she describes as a “handful and a half.” This fall she received a Program for Continuing Education grant from
Chapter DM of PEO Sisterhood. This scholarship is awarded to women who are resuming their studies after a break of two consecutive years or longer. PEO is a philanthropic organization that celebrates the advancement and education of women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College. Carranza received $1,100, which she says will pay for one semester of her daughter’s daycare. “I’m so thankful to the PEO chapter down here who supported me and nominated me,” she said. “I know somewhere, someone believed enough in what I was doing and my ability to accomplish it that it was worth the while for them.” If all goes well, Carranza plans to graduate next spring and start training for the alternative certification program that Region One offers. She hopes to complete the program by next fall and go on to teach math at the high school level.
THE PAN AMERICAN
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November 18, 2010
THE PAN AMERICAN
November 18, 2010
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Around the world
UTPA’s international athletes come from 16 different countries to compete in Bronc sports ICELAND Maria Erlingsdottir - Basketball
X
X SWEDEN Malin Andersen - Tennis
CANADA Alex Carnall - Baseball Kyle Kotchie - Baseball
X GERMANY Maria Kliefoth - Volleyball
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MEXICO Blanca Garcia - Tennis Sara Hernandez - Track & Field
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA Sunny Strkic - Tennis
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X
X X
THAILAND High Wongchindawest - Golf
X X
X X
RUSSIA Zalina Nazarova - Tennis Dona Nazarova - Tennis
X
FRANCE Wanda Beguelin - Tennis
The BAHAMAS Jameson Strachan - Track & Field
BRAZIL Victor Alves - Tennis Ricardo Hopker - Tennis
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X
FINLAND Reeta Raty - Tennis
AUSTRALIA Marcus Dornauf - Tennis Matt Teivans - Tennis
INDIA Aswin Vijayaragaran
TUNISIA Abdou Riani - Tennis
KENYA Matthew Kotut - Cross country Judith Chumba - Cross country Lillian Lagat - Cross country
X
Designed by Jennifer Tate
THE PAN AMERICAN
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November 18, 2010
THE PAN AMERICAN
November 18, 2010
Page 9
Around the world
UTPA’s international athletes come from 16 different countries to compete in Bronc sports ICELAND Maria Erlingsdottir - Basketball
X
X SWEDEN Malin Andersen - Tennis
CANADA Alex Carnall - Baseball Kyle Kotchie - Baseball
X GERMANY Maria Kliefoth - Volleyball
X
MEXICO Blanca Garcia - Tennis Sara Hernandez - Track & Field
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA Sunny Strkic - Tennis
X
X
X X
THAILAND High Wongchindawest - Golf
X X
X X
RUSSIA Zalina Nazarova - Tennis Dona Nazarova - Tennis
X
FRANCE Wanda Beguelin - Tennis
The BAHAMAS Jameson Strachan - Track & Field
BRAZIL Victor Alves - Tennis Ricardo Hopker - Tennis
X
X
FINLAND Reeta Raty - Tennis
AUSTRALIA Marcus Dornauf - Tennis Matt Teivans - Tennis
INDIA Aswin Vijayaragaran
TUNISIA Abdou Riani - Tennis
KENYA Matthew Kotut - Cross country Judith Chumba - Cross country Lillian Lagat - Cross country
X
Designed by Jennifer Tate
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November 18, 2010
Thanksgiving feasts in the Valley
Amazon is looking to extend its technological tentacles to yet another media. Three years after breaking into the e-book market, Amazon has decided to take on movies. The company just announced its plans for Amazon Studios.
You have to give credit to any non-wizard movie coming out this week. “The Next Three Days,” starring Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks, tells the story of a man trying to break his wife out of jail. Finishing second this week may not be so bad.
Illustration by Anthony Salinas and Alexis Carranza By Nadia Tamez-Robledo The Pan American
One of the most anticipated albums of the year, Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” will be released next Tuesday. After a name change and cover-art controversy, the album is being hailed as “his most maniacally inspired music yet” by Rolling Stones Magazine.
It doesn’t take a genius to know that shotguns, bipolar disorder and “Dancing with the Stars” just don’t go well together. Case in point: 67-year-old Steven Cowan, who fired his shotgun at his TV after watching Bristol Palin’s performance on the ABC dance show.
Ask anyone to name dishes in a traditional Thanksgiving spread, and mention of the holiday is likely to conjure up images of tender turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and sweet cranberry sauce. But these seasonal staples may occasionally have to make room on the table for another Hispanic culinary tradition – tamales. “In Spanish we say, ‘Es la herencia que tenmos la cultura,’” said Culinary Club President Daniela Gonzales, whose family serves tamales as part of Thanksgivng dinner. “It’s the culture that we have.” As an Edinburg resident who originally hails from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, the business administration major said that her family often deviates from the conventional holiday menu. “Sometimes we don’t even have the turkey,” she said. “We do a barbecue or something else. We make things from scratch, and we put a twist with probably some chile or chipotle sauce. It’s just the details that we change on the dishes.” Spicing up American traditions is nothing new for folks in the Rio Grande Valley. During the course of conducting research back in 1995
on local customs, history professor Juanita Garza found that some area residents were including mole, a traditional Mexican sauce usually used to marinade chicken, as part of their meal and adding turkey to the usual selection of pork, chicken or bean tamale fillings. “It was pretty common for the working lower class because it was something they would expend rather than putting a turkey to roast,” she explained. “They certainly had turkey tamales and usually no turkey in any other sense. Just the regular barbecue standbys of rice and beans, nothing to do with the traditional cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and all that. I’m willing to bet that they haven’t changed dramatically.” Tamales were part of American dinnertime even long before the first Thanksgiving. The first historical record of the dish was made by Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortez when he encountered southeastern Apache tribes in 1575, according to Robert Soto, vice chairman of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. Cortez described “a substance of maize with meat in the middle wrapped in a leaf of maize,” said the McAllen resident. “Back then, we didn’t have the same amount of ingredients, so it was very bland. Today you put spices
and stuff like that to make it tasty.” sell to vary a Thanksgiving menu. I Anyone looking to try tama- wouldn’t include anything I eat on a les in their original form should be daily basis into this once-a-year cerprepared to ask emonial meal.” for a few days Guerra, auoff from work. thor of “Dishes “The closest from the Wild “ Sometimes we donʼt even thing to an Apache Horse Desert,” tamale is those taexplained that have the turkey. We do a males people are practicing the making in Central holiday’s culinary barbecue or something American from customs makes it else. We make things from a banana leaf,” meaningful and Soto said. “They’re keeps it connectscratch, and we put a twist very tasteless. No ed to the history with probably some chile spices.” it represents. “It’s the shared Thanksgiving or chipotle sauce. Itʼs just experience of in the Valley isn’t sameness of the so much about the details that we change menu that gives the fusion of culon the dishes. ” you the true tures as it is about Thanksgiving inclusion of difexperience,” she ferent traditions, commented. “In said South Texas my opinion, since native and food there is no tradihistorian Melissa Daniela Gonzalez tion of ThanksGuerra. Culinary club president giving in Latin “Some people America, there is stuff their turkeys no opportunity with tamales, to ‘fuse’ anything. which I think is a cool fusion sort of twist,” she said. Having said all of this, I have started re“Even my in-laws, who never serve cently is adding chile piquin to my cranbread rolls, only tortillas, make an ex- berry sauce. It’s really good, and both ception on Thanksgiving. It is a tough definitely originated in the Americas.”
November 18, 2010
Page 11
Arts AND LIFE
‘Dial M for Murder’ makes its theatre debut
>> New Frederick Knott production opened Wednesday night to an enthusiastic crowd.
Andres Rodriguez
Sophomore communication major
>> “It’s a great play so far. The acting is great and the emotion is apparent. It’s a dark story and I like how it’s unfolding.”
Tom Sicking Junior business major
>> “I don’t come to plays often, in fact, this is the first play I’ve ever been to. But yeah, it’s good. I’m liking it.”
Freddie Martinez/ The Pan American
tell us a tale – Eric Williamson, director of the National Book Critics Circle, gives a brief reading from one of his books, “Welcome to Oakland,” on Monday in the UTPA library.
UTPA’s own American novelist tells 14 tales >> Williamson, whose 2009 release was named one of the 40 best novels of the decade, held a book signing on campus. By Greslim Vela The Pan American Professor Eric Miles Williamson was honored with a book signing and reading at the library faculty lounge on Monday, at which he handing out autographed books to students, and later read excerpts from his work. Williamson has published four books, along with 200 other publications, and two collections of his essays are forthcoming. The American novelist and literary critic is a member of the board of directors of the National Book Critics Circle, editor of the American Book Review, Boulevard, and Texas Review. Williamson’s first novel, “East Bay Grease,” was named one of the best books of 1999 by the Los Angeles Times. The second novel,” Two Up,” was listed as one of 100 noteworthy books of 2006 by the San Jose Mercury News and Kansas City Star. His third and most recent one, “Welcome to Oakland,” was ranked the No. 2 book of 2009 and is named one of the 40 best novels of the decade by the Huffington Post.
The event was hosted by Virginia Haynie Gause, media and marketing librarian, who provided refreshments for those who attended; they were mostly students of Williamson’s, although of the 30 attendees four were UTPA faculty, and two were South Texas College faculty. The reading was suggested by Joseph Haske, head of the English Department at STC, and also a graduate student at UTPA. Haske was also in charge of presenting Williamson, one of his professors in grad school here on campus. Haske compared Williamson’s home to a public library. “His collection of books put any library section to shame I think,” said Haske in order to break the ice. “It is any writer’s goal to have a house where bookshelves outnumber furniture ten to one, and I think he has accomplished that.” Williamson began by reading an essay, “Mr. Updike, He Dead,” from his upcoming book of essays. It’s a humorous tale in which Williamson’s criticizes Updike for being a prefect novelist and therefore of being wrong. He even goes
to the extent of saying he wished Updike dead, joking he has a few other authors to talk about. Once upon a time, Williamson’s professor asked him to make more daring sentences in his writing, comparable to those of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Shakespeare. With this, he read a chapter of aphorisms, “Phrases and Philosophies for the Use of the Young,” which he spent 25 years writing out. “So much fiction that you read these days, contemporary fiction, nobody’s daring enough to write a quotable line, to make an assertion, everything’s qualified, and flattened out,” Williamson said. The special guest took a brief break from reading to give out advice to aspiring creative writing professors. He advised them to know that they were not always going to be teaching creative writing classes, but instead freshman and sophomore English. Then he proceeded to read a chapter from “East Bay Grease,” a book in which the teenage narrator, T-Bird Murphy, intends to run away from his life - with his hard-bitten parents and their world of bikers and auto garages - by playing his trumpet in Oakland’s waterfront bars. “Class Dismissed,” was Williamson’s last remark before he put away his books and took off.
Ashley Villarreal Senior English major
>> “Our professor Marissa Saavedra is in the play so we’re glad to support her tonight. They’re doing pretty good so far. I’m enjoying it.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK? — Audience members chimed in with their thoughts on the play during the 9 p.m. intermission. Play director Trey Mikolasky commanded 30 hours of rehearsal a week prior to opening night. By Adriana Trevino The Pan American “Dial M For Murder” made its way to UTPA theatre this week, running through Sunday. The screenplay written by English playwright Frederick Knott is about a retired tennis player, Tony Wendice, who wishes to have his significant other murdered in hope of taking over her riches. The exciting play is both suspenseful and tragic. While Wendice thinks it’s a sly plan, he later finds that it will not work and then must find a way out of the mess he creates. “Dial M For Murder” may sound a bit familiar because it was produced as the storyline for “a perfect murder” starring A-list actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Michael Douglas. Trey Mikolasky, director of the play, stated that “it’s a good balance in our theatre season. It’s also a good play for Winter Texans who arrive in the Fall.” Aside from taking five weeks to prepare for this production, the biggest struggle has been the overwhelming amount of details that must be ironed out before the opening, along with 30 hours of rehearsal a week. The play is running at the Albert L. Jeffers Theater, with shows tonight through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. UTPA students and faculty are admitted free with proper UTPA identification and general admission is $8. This play is not suitable for children below third grade, therefore there will be no admittance. For more information, contact the box office at 665-3581 or check out the website at utpa.edu/theatre.
Page 12
November 18, 2010
arts and life
2010 2009 2007 2005 2004 2002 2001
commentary
Harry Potter and The Soccer’s Stone
Published Sept. 1998 by Scholastic Movie: Released Nov. 2001 Directed by Chris Columbus North American Box Office Sales: $317,575,550 Worldwide Box Office Sales: $974,733,550
Harry Potter and chamber of secrets
Published June 1999 by Scholastic Movie: Released Nov. 2002 Directed by Chris Columbus North American Box Office Sales: $261,988,482 Worldwide Box Office Sales: $878,643,482
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban
Published Sept. 1999 by Scholastic Movie: Released June 2004 Directed by Alfonso Cuarón North American Box Office Sales: $249,541,069 Worldwide Box Office Sales: $795,634,069
Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
>> Don’t expect to get the novel on screen, you’ll be sorely disappointed. By Kristen Cabrera The Pan American Tonight — or more like tomorrow morning — “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows” infiltrates the movie theater and sleep patterns of an entire PG-13 population. Wizard-dressed Potterheads in either Gryffindor or Slytherin colors (let’s face it, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw are pretty much overlooked when it comes to the fandom) will fill the lines, stream out into the streets and stand for hours to watch the second-to-last movie in the franchise. But will the film live up to the hype? Maybe not the book-hype, but as solely a continuation of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” released in 2009? Then yeah, I think it will, and here’s why: With a task of morphing 300- to700-page books into films, directors and screenwriters had to play God in the Harry Potter universe to pick which parts lived on in the film because, of course, one can’t fit everything in with under two hours to work with. This was obviously realized by whoever made the decision to split Book 7 in half. Much of the adventure and detail in the book needs to fit into the movie in order to close all ties and conclude the series, but there was much debate between diehard fans as to whether the trick could be pulled off. By the looks of the preview on harrypotter.warnerbros.com, “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part One” is shaping up to be not only a visually stunning blockbuster, but an amazing story to compliment the book. After all, it is a movie, not a visual
translation. They are two different mediums with the same storyline and should be treated as completely separate entities. In the Potter books, J.K. Rowling takes the readers on an intimate journey with the characters. They get to know them more in depth and shape them with personal imagination. Every single book holds a same-shaped adventure but a vastly different ride to every reader. The images and ideas in my head were mine, Rowling gave them to me. So naturally, when I took these images to the movies to see them played on the big screen, I was slightly disappointed. Not only were certain scenes and details left out, but the names were pronounced completely differently than I had imagined. At that age I was in such a hurry to get to the action part of the story, that unfamiliar names like Hermoine became Harmonie (pronounced Harmony) and Hagrid became Harig (if that’s even a name) and so on. So I can understand most people’s disappointment when the movies don’t match up to the books. I made a conscious choice early on to not re-read the HP books in preparation for the upcoming movie. I wanted to keep the two mediums separate and follow the movie storyline solely. This, I think, is really how the films should be treated and celebrated. Why celebrated? Well the fact that audiences around the world basically saw the three stars go through puberty before their eyes through the 10 years of filming is something to be appreciated. No other franchise has done that before and it will be a very long time before another one will.
Published July 2000 by Scholastic Movie: Released Nov. 2005 Directed by Mike Newell North American Box Office Sales: $290,013,036 Worldwide Box Office Sales: $895,921,036
Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix
Published June 2003 by Scholastic Movie: Released July 2007 Directed by David Yates North American Box Office Sales: $292,004,738 Worldwide Box Office Sales: $938,468,864
Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince
Published June 2005 by Scholastic Movie: Released July 2009 Directed by David Yates North American Box Office Sales: $301,959,197 Worldwide Box Office Sales: $933,959,197
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (pt.1)
Published 2007 by Scholastic Movie: Releases Nov. 12, 2010 Directed by David Yates North American Box Office Sales: $Unknown Worldwide Box Office Sales: $Unknown
$
total so far:
North American Box Office Sales: $1,713,074,705 Worldwide Box Office Sales: $5,417,096,705
Graphic by Alexis Carranza
November 18, 2010
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Page 13
14
18 de noviembre del 2010
El poder de controlar el tiempo Museo Internacional de Arte y Ciencia en conjunto con el Museo de Ciencia de Minnesota presentan exposición sobre los cambios en el entorno. Por Ale Román The Pan American El tiempo es la palabra clave que contribuye a el universo, la vida, y la tierra, definiciones que son parte de la exhibición “Playing with Time” del museo Internacional del Arte y la Ciencia en McAllen traído por el museo de ciencias de Minnesota con la colaboración de la Fundación Nacional de la Ciencia. “Playing with Time” es una exposición para todas las edades creada con la intención de mostrar y enseñar como el mundo está cambiando conforme pasa el tiempo y como se está desarrollando en millones de formas. “[La exposición]Lleva a los visitantes en un viaje al mundo invisible de los cambios naturales y muestra los eventos que suceden demasiado rápido o demasiado lento para los seres humanos”, señaló la directora de mercadotecnia de IMAS, Michelle Rowe. El atractivo de esta exposición es que se puede jugar con el tiempo ya que contiene varias secciones muy interesantes en las que se puede ver desde la velocidad con la que trabaja una aguja de una máquina de costura hasta mostrar cuanto tiempo toman ciertas comidas en digerirse en el cuerpo humano. “Playing with Time” cuenta con cuatro secciones: “El Ritmo de la Vida”, “Transformaciones Terrestres”, “Cambios Universales” y “Las Máquinas del Tiempo”. Por medio de esta exposición se puede experimentar con la fotografía de alta velocidad, vídeos con un tiempo lapso, los registros de los cambios naturales como rocas erosionadas y núcleos de lago, y otras técnicas de “desplazamiento de tiempo” para descubrir los cambios que se llevan a cabo en el mundo más allá de la percepción humana.
Tammy Ayala/THE PAN AMERICAN
OBSERVANDO Y APRENDIENDO — Joey Partida, de segundo grado de primaria disfruta de los cambios que se revelan en las luces eléctricas como parte de la nueva exposición del IMAS. En la exposición que comenzó el 12 de noviembre también se puede imitar el “baile” de las plantas en uno de los vídeos que se muestran, y es una actividad adecuada para divertirse ya que muestra el desarrollo de una planta desde que nace hasta que muere con el propósito de ver cómo el planeta ha evolucionado con el tiempo. “Al acudir a esta exposición las personas deben de ir dispuestos al abrir sus mentes con el fin de aprender y de disfrutar de las cosas
que “Playing with Time” tiene para ofrecerles”, recalcó Rowe. La exhibición estará abierta al público hasta el mes de enero, con el fin de mostrar a la gente del Valle cómo los seres humanos viven la vida tan apresuradamente sin pensar en los mínimos detalles que esta presenta. “Por medio de esta exposición se puede aprobar una mejor calidad de vida aquí en el Valle de Texas” dijo Rowe, que también manifestó lo increíble que es visitar el museo e invita a la gente a participar y
a que aprovechen la oportunidad que les presenta IMAS. “Con estas obras de arte se muestra el verdadero lado que tiene el tiempo y el cambio”. ¿Y cuánto tiempo toma en que las cosas cambien? Pués ésta y muchas otras preguntas son resueltas en esta exhibición, que cabe recalcar que la cantidad de aprendizaje que se puede obtener es muy alta y también que es divertido todo lo que se adentra en esta magnífica exposición.
Asociación de Español Medico recauda juguetes para niños de escasos recursos Por Denisse Salinas The Pan American Para demostrarle a la comunidad lo importante que es ayudar a otros, el pasado sábado 13 de noviembre, la Asociación Estudiantil de Español Medico (SAMS por sus siglas en ingles) de la Universidad de Texas-Pan Americana organizo un “Juguetón” para recaudar regalos para niños de familias con situación económica difícil. “Fue iniciativa de los muchachos de la asociación”, dijo Glenn Martínez, profesor a cargo de esta asociación. “El logro mas grande esta todavía por verse, será cuando demos estos regalos a los niños de estas familias tan necesitadas”. El evento se llevó a cabo en el bar Cities Live en el centro de McAllen a las 23:00 horas recaudó 42 juguetes mas lo que pagaron las personas que no llevaron juguetes en la entrada. El
Durante el evento, se mostró una propósito del evento era juntar al menos 40 juguetes para los niños de las presentación y los organizadores dieron gracias a los que 16 familias que fueron acudieron al evento escogidas por “Nuestra para después pasar la Clínica del Valle”, que pelea de Pacquiao vs trabajó en conjunto “La mayor recompensa Margarito y al final con la asociación. “Lo que se pedía de hacer esto es poder siguieron con música del dj del lugar. para entrar era llA pesar de que evar un juguete nuevo ayudar a otros”. ese día fue el evento, con valor de mas de el departamento de 5 dólares, estamos Español Medico estra hablando de juguetes recibiendo juguetes como Barbies y Kens”, en la oficina del comentó Alejandro COAS 306A hasta el Núñez Barreto, secGlenn Martínez 3 de diciembre. retario de SAMS. “Si Lenguas Modernas “El día 3 de no llevaban juguete, diciembre todo el la entrada era de 10 grupo se encargara dólares, que también de ir a repartir fueron donados para los juguetes”, dijo esta causa, lo único Heidi Arteaga, con lo que se quedó el bar fue con lo que se vendió en la vicepresidenta de SAMS y estudiante de Biología en UTPA. “La universidad barra, ese fue el acuerdo con el bar”.
nos va a prestar un autobús para ir todos juntos a repartirlos a colonias cerca de la universidad de bajos recursos”. Martínez, quien es también decano del departamento de lenguas modernas, mencionó que SAMS es una asociación nueva donde entrenan a futuros doctores y enfermeros a tener pasión y conciencia por una comunidad que habla solo español y que muchas veces están marginados por su limitación en el inglés. “A raíz de este programa académico los estudiantes van a poner en practica las destrezas que están aprendiendo en el salón de clase y utilizarlas como un recurso para la comunidad”, afirmo Martínez. “Creo que [ayudar] tiene una importancia fundamental en la educación de los muchachos”, afirmó Martínez. “Creo que con esto ellos pueden ver que la mayor recompensa de hacer esto es poder ayudar a otros”.
Valenzuela habla sobre inmigración al inicio de los Días Internacionales Por Karen Velázquez The Pan American
“Logrando la paz mundial” fue el lema de los días internacionales celebrados en la Univerdidad de Texas-Pan Americana que dio inicio el pasado 15 de noviembre con la conferencia de Alfred Valenzuela, general de división retirado del ejército de Estados Unidos. El evento organizado por la Oficina de Programas Internacionales comenzó al rededor de las 12:00 horas en el teatro del Student Union. En presencia de Robert Nelsen, presidente de UTPA, Alfred Valenzuela padre, el Cuerpo de Entrenamiento de Oficiales de Reserva del Ejército de los Estados Unidos, estudiantes y staff universitario, el congresista Rubén Hinojosa presentó a Valenzuela mediante un video desde Washington D.C. Valenzuela sirvió por 33 años a la armada de Estados Unidos alrededor del mundo incluyendo Kuwait, Perú, Corea, Colombia, Turkía, Haití, Granada, Panamá, Alemania. Obtuvo reconocimientos como la estrella de bronce por valor, la medalla de soldado por heroísmo, y la medalla de servicio distinguido. Al retirarse, Valenzuela decide crear una fundación educativa y abrir una escuela para niños en riesgo al oeste de San Antonio, Texas. El ex-militar se ha ocupado también de las familias de soldados que han muerto en línea de combate, por lo que creó una fundación educativa para ellos. “El creció para convertirse en héroe. Su dedicación a éste país y a la comunidad hispana es claramente visto en el libro que él escribió y publicó: “No hay amor más grande: La vida y época de los soldados hispanos”, dijo el congresista Rubén Hinojosa. Nombrado uno de los 100 hispanos más influyentes en Estados Unidos por la revista “Hispanic Business”, Valenzuela no es únicamente promotor de la paz mundial, si no portavoz de los hispanos desfavorecidos. De acuerdo a Valenzuela, la comuidad indocuementada en el país es de suma importancia. “Sin ellos nuestro país no sería nada. Debemos de apoyar las reformas como el DREAM Act que buscan ofrecer mejores oportunidades a los habitantes de éste país que no cuentan con los derechos de ciudadanos”, dijo Valenzuela. “Tenemos un miedo a nuestro país de no decir lo que pensamos. Eramos un pais muy poderoso, todavía somos, pero tenemos que ser honestos, enforcados, y tener vision”, dijo Valenzuela. “Tenemos una obligación moral de hablar con la verdad. Yo estoy haciendo mi parte”. En tiempos en los que las reformas migratorias son aprobadas por algunos y rechazadas por otros. Mientras entre la población inmigrante crece el temor de perder su patrimonio y ser deportados, Valenzuela llega a UTPA durante los días internacionales con un mensaje de patriotismo, perseverancia y lealtad, recalcando lo imprescindible que son los integrantes de las comunidad ilegal para el buen funcionamiento de la nación.
November 18, 2010
15
Men’s basketball home opener
>> Broncs lose 77-71 against Big-10 rival Northwestern Wednesday night.
Hector Gonzalez/THE PAN AMERICAN ONE LAST TIME - The UTPA volleyball team played its last match at the Field House Saturday against North Dakota; the Broncs lost in three sets.
A senior moment Bronc volleyball celebrates last home match with Senior Night before GWC Tournament.
By Dionicio “Nune” Rodriguez The Pan American
Saturday against North Dakota. “It was a exciting to know that we are the The last “pass, set, spike” for 2010 first senior class to have a senior night has been recorded in the newly remold- in the new Field House.” The seniors had a ceremony right ed UTPA Field House, and to say that this season has been a tumultuous se- before the first serve of the game ries of heart-warming highs and heart where they introduced each one another by stating wrenching lows their fondest mowould be an unments of teamderstatement. From losing “ It took me a little extra mates. Emotions were high as one Maria Kliefoth, time to put on my socks by one the women the German were handed flowand shoes and go though transfer who was ers by either a parexpected to conmy pre-game routine. It ent or loved ones tribute highly, was a exciting to know that and had a smallto Marci Logan prepared parasurpassing the we are the first senior class graph read over the 1,000-kill mark, to have a senior night in PA system by the everything the previously introBroncs have gone the new Field House.” duced senior. through has been “It is definitely as a team. a bittersweet moThe lights Rita Gonzalez ment,” said Ariana will no longer be Senior Bermea, the libero turned on in the transfer from LarField House to host a volleyball game this season, edo. “I threatened my parents that they and the seniors that anchored this better come watch me from warm-ups team will no longer wear a Bronc all the way through the end of the game because this is the last time they’ll see jersey. “It took me a little extra time to me,” she joked, with watery eyes. Even though the seniors were very put on my socks and shoes and go though my pre-game routine,” Rita aware that this game was to be their last Gonzalez, the senior setter from Phoe- home chance, full attention and energy nix, admitted, about Senior Night was focused on the opponent at hand.
“All our attention was on North Dakota today,” said libero Kaitlin Vasquez of Garland. “It was like getting ready for any other game focused on what we had to do to try and get the job done.” The Great West Conference Tournament to be played in Chicago Nov. 19-21 kept their emotions at bay Saturday as several seniors used that as a fallback and comfort zone in order to avoid thinking of the inevitable end to their playing days. “It still hasn’t hit me honestly,” Edinburg senior Cassandra Trevino said. “I would have cried today, but we still have practice for conference we still have to prepare like we do any other week, so it still hasn’t hit me.” Chicago State University will host the Great West Conference Tournament Nov. 19-21, where the Broncs will face off against Houston Baptist University in the first round.The Broncs were on the short end against HBU twice this season in two really close games, and they will try to make better on third attempt against the Houston squad. The team heads into conference with an overall record of 4-8 in conference and 8-21 overall. “This is what this season has come down to,” said senior setter Charity Cucancic. “We definitely can beat HBU and advance on to round two.”
Freddie Martinez/THE PAN AMERICAN NERVE-RACKING- Small mistakes cost Broncs the game against Northwestern as fans gathered to inaugurate the men’s basketball season at the UTPA Field House.
For further basketball coverage, visit PANAMERICANONLINE.COM
November 18, 2010
16
Starting on the right foot Lady Broncs kick off season at home with two wins, prepare to face local foes.
By Sara Hernandez The Pan American
knowing the personnel, what everyone’s a good at… we’re trying to find the connection,” said the Collin County ComThe Lady Broncs are excited. The munity College transfer. “We should be women opened the 2010-11 season at much better; I think everyone should be home defeating the Our Lady of the able to get into the flow of things.” Lake Saints 72-61 before heading to Simon added that as the season Houston to beat Texas Southern 70-72 progresses and as they keep practicing Tuesday morning. and playing together, the team is more “We got a win, but I wish we likely to find each other on the court. could’ve played better from the start, we The possibility of becoming a better played pretty good in the second half,” unit excites Simon and brings hope to Coach Denny Downing said. “We got the new squad. better tonight, with nine new kids, “We’re excited for the season… that’s what you want to do.” I think we have things that we The team returns three still need to work on, but BRONC players from last year, overall I think that we Bianca Torre, Maria can still get to where we BASKETBALL Erlingsdottir, and Jasneed to be,” she said. DOUBLEHEADER mine Gordon. Nine “There’s always room of the Lady Broncs are for improvement but newcomers. with the people that we SATURDAY Guard CeMonay have we force each other 4 P.M. Newell is a junior transfer to work hard in practice, from Hyde Park who led the so we’ll get there.” Lady Broncs Saturday night with Freshman Madison Absher, 23 points and seven rebounds. who brings height for UTPA with “At first I was nervous but the sec- 6-foot-7, said motivation is a factor ond half I just got loose,” she said at the that the team will count on this seaend of the game. son. Although she reiterated that the Downing mentioned that although team jumped on the court with a shaky the Lady Broncs dominated the Saints feeling, she assures that after the first in the second half, the nerves of the first matches everything will get better for game took over during the first, when the Lady Broncs. it showed they were facing a team that “I was really excited I came out had played together three times before with a lot of energy, I think my team the encounter. did as well, we had a little rocky start “We played a team that it was their but I think we got our first-game jiggers fourth game and you could tell they out of the way,” she said. “I think we’re were a little bit ahead of us,” he said. going to do pretty good this season, I “Our nerves were a big part of our first think we’re going to bring a banner behalf but we got a lot better in the sec- cause no girls’ team for basketball has ond half.” ever brought a banner so we want to Guard Franchesca Simon said that bring conference championship home.” although the team has adapted well, exThe team plays a pair of area rivals perience playing together will bring the next, facing Texas A&M-Corpus Christi results the team is hoping for. Saturday at 4 p.m. and Texas A&M“I thought we did pretty well, just Kingsville Monday at 7 p.m. both at the trying to get into the flow of things and UTPA Field House.
Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN GETTING THE FLOW - Junior guard Franchesca Simon was the second-highest scorer at UTPA’s home opener against Our Lady of the Lake Saturday. She mentioned that chemistry will increase as team members push each other to excel.
MEN’S BASKETBALL RESULTS Nov. 13 UTPA - Eastern Kentucky University 67-53
Nov. 14 Loyola University Chicago - UTPA 57 - 79
Nov. 12 Indiana State University - UTPA 46-69
COMING UP - Men’s basketball home opener and men’s and women’s Saturday double header.
panamericanonline.com