February 3, 2011

Volume 67, No. 16

WWW.PANAMERICANONLINE.COM

February 3, 2011

HITTING CLOSE TO HOME

UTPA professor monitoring crisis in Egypt, keeping tabs on mother in country

By Karen Antonacci The Pan American Eyes all over the world are glued to television to follow the ongoing political leadership crisis in Egypt. But Sonia Alianak has more at stake than just interest in the news.

She’s worried that the protests bordering on civil war in the Middle Eastern nation will put her mother in danger.

“She’s not involved in it,” said Alianak, professor of political science at The University of Texas-Pan American. “She lives in a suburb which is an affluent suburb, but you never know, this is civil war going on, a civil confrontation. She doesn’t go out, she has got a student to bring her food and supplies…I’m worried about her, but she’s very brave, and said not to worry, and says everything is fine with her.”

Alianak is an Armenian born in Sudan who got her BA in journalism and political science at The American University in Cairo and emigrated to the United States to get her Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin, in 1987.

The escalating violence in various Egyptian cities that worries Alianak, is a result of a struggle against the authoritarian government headed by President Hosni Mubarak, who has held sole power for about 30 years.

“The protests are about the idea of democracy in the Middle East; especially in Egypt… the demonstrators want democracy. There has been a lot of corruption, the money goes to the very rich, and there are a lot of poor people, with no middle class,” said Alianak, who authored the book, “Middle Eastern Leaders and Islam” in 2007 and has published frequent academic articles about the region.

A 2008 study by the Egyptian government’s Department of Statistics reported that 31.8 percent of the unemployed held a “University & above” level of education.

Alianak said the combination of education with lack of jobs has fueled the fires of the protests, which were organized largely by social network media.

“The university students go free to the university, and then they graduate and there are no jobs,” said the associate professor. “So they get the opportunities, the incentives, they have expectations for the future…but then you don’t find a job, so they’re frustrated, it’s a basic revolution principle.”

Inspired by the dramatic ousting of the Tunisian president last month, Egyptian protesters first came out in force against Mubarak’s rule - and specifically police brutality - last Tuesday. The protesters called this the “Day of Rage” as it was marked with protesters surging through a police line fill of officers garbed in full riot gear. The violence has been escalating since then, Alianak said.

On Thursday, protesters organized a “Million Man March,” which served as a turning point in the uprising because Mubarak then announced that he would not seek re-election in September.

Alianak said that this announcement was met with skepticism by the antiMubarak protesters, and also sparked a counter movement of pro-Mubarak supporters.

“The protesters don’t believe in that, they don’t believe that he’s going to keep his promise because in the past he has promised a lot of things and not delivered,” Alianak said. “His supporters believe it though, and they were very touched when he came on

Dec 17 - SIDE BOUZID, TUNISIA

Police confiscate Mohammed Bouazizi's fruit cart because he does not have a permit.

Frustrated, he sets himself on fire.

Protests begin

TV and he said he would not seek re-election. There were a lot of people that were very touched by that because he’s been there for 30 years, and a lot of supporters came out as a result of his speech,” The pro-Mubarak supporters organized quickly and planned counter protests, said Alianak.

“The state-run TV station said there’s a group of protesters that are pro-Mubarak and the rich had organized protesters to demonstrate in favor of the President,” she said. “My mother lives in an affluent neighborhood and there a lot of people that have gathered in favor of the President, so it’s like a civil war, almost, going on in downtown Cairo, between the supporters of Mubarak and the pro democracy forces.”

On Wednesday these two forces met in Tahrir Square in Cairo. Amateur videographers captured the violence and uploaded the videos to YouTube, another instance where communication technology has played a part in recent global struggles for freedom. The two sides threw rocks and debris at one another and at one point, a group of supposedly pro-Mubarak supporters charged through an angry crowd on horseback before they were dragged to the ground and beaten.

Alianak said she cannot say for sure which course of action is best for Egypt; the stability that President Mubarak offers or the benefits of democracy. The U.S. government, too, has been somewhat ambivalent about that difficult choice.

“I don’t think you can have democracy if you don’t have stability, but also if you

Dec 20-27 - TUNISIA

Protests and rallies continue to spread, along with violent police clashes

Dec 28 - TUNISIA

Lawyers march in several cities to show support for the protests

Dec 28 - Jan 6 - TUNISIA

Protests continue to spread throughout

Jan 6 - TUNISIA

Lawyers launch a strike

have just stability and no democracy, well, I’m not defending that either,” Alainak said.

“But I don’t know what the best solution is because we have to think of our allies, we have to think of the peace with Israel. That might be threatened.

The Suez Canal, all the oil for Europe goes through there, so we need stability but not at the price of democracy and I think there should be a balance…the two sides are extremists and there should be some kind of middle ground.”

While she may not know the solution,

Jan 14 - TUNISIA

President Ben Ali fires the majority of the country’s government. Ben Ali manages to leave Tunisia by plane. He lands in Saudi Arabia

Jan 25 - CAIRO, EGYPT “Day of Rage” Prompted by the unrest in Tunisia, a dismal economy, and widespread poverty, young and impoverished Egyptians take to the street on the national holiday, “Police Day.” It starts peacefully but turns violent when police use tear gas and water hoses

SEE EGYPT || PAGE 3

Jan 27 - EGYPT

Nobel laureate Mohamed El Baradei, head of the Egyptian atomic energy agency, returns to Egypt. He says he wants to lead a transition government to democracy. The Egyptian government cuts Internet service

Jan 28 - EGYPT

Cell phone service is cut. Mubarak says he will appoint a new Cabinet. Cell service was later restored

Jan 29 - EGYPT

Mubarak names Omar Suleiman as his first ever vice president

Feb 1 - EGYPT

The protests are about the idea of democracy in the Middle East; especially in Egypt...the demonstrators want democracy.

Sonia Alianak || UTPA professor

“MILLION MAN MARCH” Protesters hold the biggest rally of the movement in Tahrir Square in Cairo. Mubarak announces he will not seek re-election in September

Feb 2 - EGYPT

Anti-Mubarak and Pro-Mubarak protesters clash outside of the Egyptian Museum

Erick Gonzalez/THE PAN AMERICAN

CHECK THE WEB UTPA mobile app launched || New application latest in Bronc technology.

Dance for joy Boogie down || Annual Ballet-Folklorico show at UTPA aims to reach community and raise arts awareness. PAGE 8

The search is on VP of Student Affairs cadidates visit UTPA. PAGE 3

2

February 3, 2011 Vol. 67, No. 16

Commentary

The music isn’t dead yet

How “the Golden Era of Rock & Roll” wasn’t the climax of modern music.

Benny Salinas A&L Editor There are always two guaranteed highlights to my day.

One is the drive to school. The other is the drive back. Now, I’m not much of a car enthusiast and my driving leaves much to be desired (a quick glance at my driving record highlights this pretty plainly). What makes these short intervals of my day most pleasant is plugging in my iPod, turning the volume up just loud enough so I can’t hear myself, and

singing at the top of my lungs like an idiot for the 25 minutes it takes to get to school or home.

I know I can’t be the only one doing this. Glancing over at the middle-aged woman in the Suburban next to me at a red light with her eyes closed, tight-mouthing what I think was Prince’s “Kiss” makes it certain: people love being able to sit and listen to music they love. Music still moves people as deeply as it always has. Yes album sales are down, but Apple has still managed to ship 220 million iPods to date.

Still though, there’s a significant percentage of the population (namely middle-aged men who still rock their old Rolling Stones shirts and teens who “can’t stand the music the kids at school listen to”) who adamantly believe that music was better in the Sixties and Seventies. It’s hard not to see their point. Its mindboggling to think that at one point in history The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, John Coltrane, and The Beach Boys were all at their

creative peaks.

I disagree with this consensus among disgruntled music fans though. Why? Selective memory.

Call me an elitist but it’s hard to ignore the fact that most people have pretty bad taste in music.

(How much money did Ke$ha make last year? And an “Artist of the Year” nomination from the AMA’s? ) The thing is, people have always had bad taste in music. And there has always been music made for them. What else are 13-yearold girls and guys “who don’t listen to any of that emo-crap” supposed to listen to?

The thing is most of the music made for these audiences shares the same disposable characteristic.

It stays in culture’s collective memory for a year or two and then is never really mentioned again.

The only things that really carry over into the next era of popular music and become historical markers for that certain period of music are the artists and songs that deeply impacted people the most. Do you remember George

McCrae? Me either. But he had one of the biggest hits of 1974, “Rock Your Baby.”

It’s also worth noting that Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix are both technically one-hit-wonders. What I’m getting at is that popularity is never the measure by which an era’s music should be judged.

The music of a generation never comes from the Billboard Hot 100. And it rarely wins Grammys. The music that people hold dearly, the kind that sparks change and reaffirms a person’s humanity, is still being made. And it’s coming from the same place that it’s always come from. From the souls of angry, loving, passionate individuals responding to a culture that only fully appreciates them 10 years after the fact. Real music is still as amazing and moving as it’s always been and it’s not stopping any time soon Justin Bieber has always been around in one form or another, and he always ends up a washed-up drug addict in his thirties. Always.

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 DESIGNER: 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 WEBMASTERS: Jose Villarreal josemvillarrealcs@gmail.com Selvino Padilla selvinop3@gmail.com

Delivery:

Thursday at noon Letters to the Editor Hosni Mubarak

With keyboards in hand, they rose up against a tyrant, so that their tweets, blogs and status updates could be heard around the world once again. And that was the end of the Facebook/Twitter Revolution.

Chris Ponce/THE PAN AMERICAN

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.

February 3, 2011

3

Let the search begin Four candidates for the new VP of Student Affairs position visit UTPA

and Students Services became the Division of Student Affairs.

To aid the search for the new vice president has been a committee comThe Division of Student Affairs prised of co-chairs Janice Odom, vice is in search for a new vice president president for university advancement, after the resignation of Dr. John and Alex Rodriguez, president of the Edwards and has invited four can- Student Government Association.

The search included several didates to fill the position to The University of Texas-Pan American steps. First the committee entered into the national search process, and throughout the week.

Robert S. Nelsen, president of enlisted the assistance of Witt/KiefUTPA, announced late Septem- fer, an executive search firm. Reports ber that Edwards, who worked at were then made on the top candidates and the the university finalists were for 10 years, selected for was resignon-campus ining at the end “ The students really need terviews. of December.

“The job Beginning a strong voice, that person of the search on Monday the committee four candidates is the one who often was to get the were scheduled represents the students candidates and to appear at the applicants UTPA on an asand their needs and their r e v i e w e d ,” signed visiting Odom said. day at 1 p.m. dreams. We want somebody “We interfor a forum at who really believes in our viewed by vidthe Student eo conference Union Theater university and believes in and recomopen to stumended severdents, faculty our region. ” al names to the and the compresident and munity. then at that On ThursJanice Odom point it was day Nelsen VP, university advancement decided who revealed in an was brought e-mail what to campus for the finalists’ interviews.” names were and B o t h links to each of Odom and their resumes.

It was also announced that evalua- Rodriguez had a very specific idea of tion forms would be present at each what they looked for in those they forum and students and staff were recommended.

“What we were looking for encouraged to share comments on was someone who could be a really the candidates.

According to Lisa Prieto, assistant strong advocate for the students,” to the president, after the forums are Odom said. “The president actually conducted Nelsen will decide which fi- changed the name of the division nalist will be hired; that decision date is because he wants the students to be first and foremost in the mind of the still unknown.

“We have narrowed the search person in that position.”

The new vice president will be a down to four final candidates who will be making campus visits this member of the President’s Cabinet and week,” Prieto said. “The president University Council and will serve as the will review all the feedback from primary advocate and spokesperson for the campus visits before he selects a students while providing leadership, vision and direction for the Division of finalist.”

Until then, Dennis McMillan, Student Affairs.

“The students really need a the former associate vice president of the Division of Enrollment and strong voice, that person is the one Student Services, is serving as in- who often represents the students and terim vice president. Along with a their needs and their dreams,” Odom temporary vice president came a said. “We want somebody who really permanent name change for the di- believes in our university and believes vision. The Division of Enrollment in our region.”

By Nicole January The Pan American

Jason Smith/THE PAN AMERICAN

READ ALL ABOUT IT - Zandra Fermin, a sophomore marketing major, compares prices of marketing books at the University Bookstore on Tuesday.

Where my books at?

Complaints about bookstore cite delays, shortages of texts

By Alejandra Martinez The Pan American Faculty and students at The University of Texas-Pan American seem to be experiencing a textbook shortage and all fingers are pointing to the University Bookstore as the main party responsible.

Professors from across campus have expressed discontent with the way the University Bookstore handles textbook orders. Philip Ethridge, professor of criminal justice, said he put in the order for books he would need for his class of 60 long before the semester started, but last week 25 of his students informed him they didn’t have the course material.

“One of the issues is when we as faculty do what the bookstore wants and that is to tell them what we’re using and how many students we anticipate - we expect the books to be here, and there are cases when they have not arrived,” Ethridge said.

According to Ethridge, when he brought up the issue with the bookstore he was told that a percentage of the books had been ordered prior to the

beginning of the semester and that an additional percentage would be ordered if needed.

“The concern is that you as a student don’t have the book, you’re not ready, and I as faculty start lecturing about a book you don’t have and is not available,” he said. “I think it affects a lot of students and it affects a lot of classes.

When the bookstore receives an adoption form from a professor – paperwork that includes the name of the book, author, edition, number of students in the class – representatives do research on that book and on the class, to try to find as many used books as possible, says Sergio Lopez, University Bookstore manager.

“We’ll take a look at that course and see how many books we brought in the last time we used that, how it sold, how many students were enrolled,” Lopez explained. “Obviously we always want to gain market share, we want to have more students coming in to buy their books or rent them.”

According to Lopez the reason the store doesn’t order 100 percent of

the books for a class is because some students choose to not buy a textbook, either because of high prices or because they think they won’t need it.

“If they can, students are going to try to get by without buying the books, if it’s going to save them money,” Lopez said. “The value that the professor puts on a book is very important on whether or not the book sells here at the bookstore.”

Lopez stressed that it’s very important that professors turn in their adoption forms on their deadline, which has changed from April 15 to March 11 for the miniterm, summer and fall semesters.

“The partnership with the administration and the faculty is crucial to everything we do here,” he said.

When professors turn in their adoption forms on time, this gives the bookstore more time to source as many used books as possible from the Follett company, which has run the bookstore since 2005. If there isn’t enough used books to complete the order, new ones will be purchased from the publishing companies.

EGYPT

continued from Page 1 Alianak said that the situation was inevitable and that she had a feeling it would come to widespread violence eventually.

“Something was brewing up when I went home this summer,” she commented.

“I was reading the newspaper with my mother …and there was this beating by police of a young man in Alexandria.”

This week, Mubarak’s government disconnected Egyptian cell phone service and Internet access, but has since restored the cell

phones. More tangible resources are also becoming slightly scarce, however.

“As far as food shortages, there aren’t any, my mother says, but people have been careful in case this continues a long time,” Alianak reported. “They’re getting canned food from the supermarkets, and the markets are very crowded, but at least there is food.”

In her Middle East Politics class, Alianak has used the Egyptian situation as a teaching

point this week and led her class into discussion about U.S. policy. She’s also given interviews to several local TV outlets as the crisis has unfolded.

“Some students want President Obama to be more forceful and ask Mubarak to leave immediately,” she said. “Then some were saying that he has to be careful about our allies and those things. So they were divided in the class.”

Page 4

February 3, 2011

NEWS

Broncs rally for higher education

UTPA community travels to Austin to push importance of legislative decisions

By Kristen Cabrera & Roxann Garcia The Pan American The Capitol’s rotunda echoed with mariachi music last week as UTPA students, faculty and staff surrounded the award-winning mariachi band. University President Robert S. Nelsen welcomed the crowd to the Capitol and explained to numerous onlookers and passerby exactly why the halls were being filled with music.

“The Valley is the future of Texas if we don’t get it right in the Valley we won’t get it right in the state of Texas are up here today, from Pan Am to make sure we get it right here in the valley. Through education we are going to break the grip of poverty and transform this world this nation and this state.”

The trip, made by 60 students who embarked for Austin at 4:30 in the morning Thursday, began as an invitation from Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. “ The purpose of UTPA Day was designed to encourage Texas legislators to “keep education in mind as they vote on legislation in the upcoming session,” said Darien Fernandez, senior SGA senator as he and a group of 10 students in tour group

No. 19 walked door to door and handed out UTPA goodie-bags to legislators.

Though most legislators were busy in meetings and conference calls, Valley Representatives Veronica Gonzales, Aaron Peña and Hinojosa greeted the Edinburg entourage and praised the University for their effort.

Rep. Aaron Peña, a Bronc alumni, explained how keen he was to have a slice of the Valley in Austin.

“I’m very excited and very proud,” Peña said. “I still feel like a student, I really do, like I just left. And when everyone is here it just so exciting. You know when I come to the Capitol, it’s 300 miles from home and I think, ‘Oh, its so foreign to our lives down there, which is so comfortable with family and culture and food, but when everybody is here, it feels like it’s home.

The serious note of the looming budget slashes to education, including higher ed, had the District 40 politician concerned for the future generation of college-bound students.

“We want to continue to investing in our kids,” he said. “Because when we invest in them we invest in our own future, I don’t want to see a generation lost. So this

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN

CAPITOL DAZE - President Robert Nelsen stands in front of supporters at the State Capitol. is a challenge not only because of this cycle but for other cycles to come. Texans are naturally averse to taxes …we have to find a way to find additional revenue so we can continue to see our university grow.”

As alumni, students and staff gathered to have their picture taken on the steps of the building, SGA Vice President Mark

Allen spoke on the importance of the group’s time there.

“We are all here for a reason and that is to show that the Valley is a truly unique jewel of this great state,” the 23-year-old said, adding that the decisions that are going to be made during this legislative sessions are going to be setting the tone for

generations to come. “It is our generation, not the next generation that will shape things and we have an opportunity here to make sure that we take that stand…and that our piece of the puzzle is placed right there in the hearts and minds of each and every single legislator, senator and house representative.”

February 3, 2011

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Page 5

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 6

February 3, 2011

February 3, 2011

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 7

Are You Ready For SUPER BOWL XLV? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUPER BOWL TRADITION?

Alfredo Gonzalez

Mechanical Engineering Edinburg

RUNNIN’ REBELS

“Get together with the family and have a good time and watch the game. It’s another time for the family to get together.”

RANCH GUACAMOLE

Steven Miller

Springfield, MO Grants and Contracts Office

“Watching the game with my dad and enjoying the football more than the party.”

Joey de Los Santos

Undecided Eagle Pass, Texas

“We just go and have a family cookout and we barbecue.”

Didi Zapata Psychology Los Fresnos

“We cook out and we place bets on the teams.”

Denisse Govea

Edinburg Comm. Disorders

“Sitting at home with the family getting disappointed ‘cause the Cowboys aren’t there.”

By Dionicio Rodriguez The Pan American

“The Super Bowl is....” Depending on who you ask this question to, and what time of the year, one can get some of the most off-the-wall answers along with very expected ones. In the Rio Grande Valley, the Super Bowl is almost a biblical holiday that people swear by.

Not only does it bring families together, it sparks rivalry between avid sports fans, and brings out the competitor in EVERYONE. From the obvious players and coaches competing in the actual game, to marketing directors trying to outwit a rival company in having the best commercial, it’s a war.

The Super Bowl is the Mecca that everyone wants to be associated with. If one is the halftime performer at the Big Game, it is safe to say you’ve “made it.” Bruce Springsteen, Black-Eye Peas, The Who, Nelly and many others are just some of platinumsell-

ing artists that have graced the stage during the halftime festivities.

But on a day where two teams culminate a season’s struggles, team owners and different companies make millions along with whoever is hosting the lucrative event (Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones boasts that right this year), to many Valley families, it’s about just that, family.

“To me, it is a special day to BBQ with the family and friends and enjoy the sporting event,” Adolfo Trevino, life-long football fan, said. “I make it an all-day event. When I was younger it was an all week-end thing with friends, but those days have came and gone by.”

Trevino, 58, remembers his dad doing the same thing he does now with his family for the Super Bowl.

“Dad always had the party at our house,” Trevino recalls.

“Food, beer, family and a bunch of good times. It felt like someone was getting married. All for a football game.”

The reality is that the Super Bowl is just that, a football game on a huge scale that is a money-making machine for anyone involved with it. Most of the time, the two teams that end up playing the prestigious game are not your favorite team. Sometimes not even close. This will be the case Sunday for many Valley natives: it ended up being a bitter rival that makes it to the “big game.” Or two. The area is full of

Dallas Cowboy fans, and the teams in question have always been threats to the ‘Boys.

The Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers will compete for this year’s Lombardi Trophy, the ultimate grail in the football world, and to some the actual game is not what matters. More important are the things that represent the two different teams potentially winning.

“I don’t have a favorite team per se, it’s usually anyone but the Dallas Cowboys,” Monah Alvarado, UTPA senior, shared. “I would like for the Green Bay Packers to win the Super Bowl this year. Aaron Rodgers, in my opinion, has done an excellent job at quarterback and with a win in Arlington at Cowboys Stadium he will come out of Favre’s shadow.”

Others rooting for the Packers are only doing so because of what it means for the Cowboys. Pittsburgh and Dallas are tied for most Super Bowl appearances; the Steelers took the lead in Super Bowl rings over the Cowboys with their last victory over the Arizona Cardinals in 2009 at Tampa.

“The Cowboys have one less championship than the Steelers. I am rooting for the Packers for that reason only,” admitted Nathan Garza, UTPA alum. “Since I can’t root for the Cowboys, I’ll root for them indirectly.”

The more hard-

core sports fan that want to see history made before their eyes are evidently hoping for the Steelers and what this could mean to the NFL power rankings.

“This is probably one of the most exciting Super Bowls in a while,” claimed Joshua Garza, a senior at UTPA. “Two great franchises, Steelers are going for their seventh championship, Packers going for their fourth.

Not to mention, two of the best defenses in the league.”

The Super Bowl is a worldwide phenomenon that is broadcast in over 232 countries proving that it is something much bigger than football. Whether you’re still cheering for the Cowboys by rooting for the Packers, you’re more interested in seeing the Steelers make history, or if you just want to hang out with family and friends and enjoy a day of tasty BBQ, the Super Bowl is a once-a-year event that will continue it’s tradition, allowing you to continue yours, Sunday, Feb. 6.

Ingredients 3 large Hass avocados, halved, pitted, and peeled 1 cup diced red onion 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves 3/4 cup diced red bell pepper 1 large Anaheim chile, diced 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice I ounce of ranch 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Directions In a medium bowl, using a fork or potato masher, mash the avocados until chunky. Add the onion, cilantro, bell pepper, and chile. In a small bowl, combine the lime juice and package of ranch. Add to the avocado mixture along with the pepper and stir gently to combine.

Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole, pressing to eliminate any air pockets (this will help keep the guacamole from turning brown). Serve at room temperature.

Source: Allrecipes.com

Design by Sara Hernandez & Jennifer Tate Photos by Alma Hernandez

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 6

February 3, 2011

February 3, 2011

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 7

Are You Ready For SUPER BOWL XLV? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUPER BOWL TRADITION?

Alfredo Gonzalez

Mechanical Engineering Edinburg

RUNNIN’ REBELS

“Get together with the family and have a good time and watch the game. It’s another time for the family to get together.”

RANCH GUACAMOLE

Steven Miller

Springfield, MO Grants and Contracts Office

“Watching the game with my dad and enjoying the football more than the party.”

Joey de Los Santos

Undecided Eagle Pass, Texas

“We just go and have a family cookout and we barbecue.”

Didi Zapata Psychology Los Fresnos

“We cook out and we place bets on the teams.”

Denisse Govea

Edinburg Comm. Disorders

“Sitting at home with the family getting disappointed ‘cause the Cowboys aren’t there.”

By Dionicio Rodriguez The Pan American

“The Super Bowl is....” Depending on who you ask this question to, and what time of the year, one can get some of the most off-the-wall answers along with very expected ones. In the Rio Grande Valley, the Super Bowl is almost a biblical holiday that people swear by.

Not only does it bring families together, it sparks rivalry between avid sports fans, and brings out the competitor in EVERYONE. From the obvious players and coaches competing in the actual game, to marketing directors trying to outwit a rival company in having the best commercial, it’s a war.

The Super Bowl is the Mecca that everyone wants to be associated with. If one is the halftime performer at the Big Game, it is safe to say you’ve “made it.” Bruce Springsteen, Black-Eye Peas, The Who, Nelly and many others are just some of platinumsell-

ing artists that have graced the stage during the halftime festivities.

But on a day where two teams culminate a season’s struggles, team owners and different companies make millions along with whoever is hosting the lucrative event (Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones boasts that right this year), to many Valley families, it’s about just that, family.

“To me, it is a special day to BBQ with the family and friends and enjoy the sporting event,” Adolfo Trevino, life-long football fan, said. “I make it an all-day event. When I was younger it was an all week-end thing with friends, but those days have came and gone by.”

Trevino, 58, remembers his dad doing the same thing he does now with his family for the Super Bowl.

“Dad always had the party at our house,” Trevino recalls.

“Food, beer, family and a bunch of good times. It felt like someone was getting married. All for a football game.”

The reality is that the Super Bowl is just that, a football game on a huge scale that is a money-making machine for anyone involved with it. Most of the time, the two teams that end up playing the prestigious game are not your favorite team. Sometimes not even close. This will be the case Sunday for many Valley natives: it ended up being a bitter rival that makes it to the “big game.” Or two. The area is full of

Dallas Cowboy fans, and the teams in question have always been threats to the ‘Boys.

The Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers will compete for this year’s Lombardi Trophy, the ultimate grail in the football world, and to some the actual game is not what matters. More important are the things that represent the two different teams potentially winning.

“I don’t have a favorite team per se, it’s usually anyone but the Dallas Cowboys,” Monah Alvarado, UTPA senior, shared. “I would like for the Green Bay Packers to win the Super Bowl this year. Aaron Rodgers, in my opinion, has done an excellent job at quarterback and with a win in Arlington at Cowboys Stadium he will come out of Favre’s shadow.”

Others rooting for the Packers are only doing so because of what it means for the Cowboys. Pittsburgh and Dallas are tied for most Super Bowl appearances; the Steelers took the lead in Super Bowl rings over the Cowboys with their last victory over the Arizona Cardinals in 2009 at Tampa.

“The Cowboys have one less championship than the Steelers. I am rooting for the Packers for that reason only,” admitted Nathan Garza, UTPA alum. “Since I can’t root for the Cowboys, I’ll root for them indirectly.”

The more hard-

core sports fan that want to see history made before their eyes are evidently hoping for the Steelers and what this could mean to the NFL power rankings.

“This is probably one of the most exciting Super Bowls in a while,” claimed Joshua Garza, a senior at UTPA. “Two great franchises, Steelers are going for their seventh championship, Packers going for their fourth.

Not to mention, two of the best defenses in the league.”

The Super Bowl is a worldwide phenomenon that is broadcast in over 232 countries proving that it is something much bigger than football. Whether you’re still cheering for the Cowboys by rooting for the Packers, you’re more interested in seeing the Steelers make history, or if you just want to hang out with family and friends and enjoy a day of tasty BBQ, the Super Bowl is a once-a-year event that will continue it’s tradition, allowing you to continue yours, Sunday, Feb. 6.

Ingredients 3 large Hass avocados, halved, pitted, and peeled 1 cup diced red onion 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves 3/4 cup diced red bell pepper 1 large Anaheim chile, diced 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice I ounce of ranch 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Directions In a medium bowl, using a fork or potato masher, mash the avocados until chunky. Add the onion, cilantro, bell pepper, and chile. In a small bowl, combine the lime juice and package of ranch. Add to the avocado mixture along with the pepper and stir gently to combine.

Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole, pressing to eliminate any air pockets (this will help keep the guacamole from turning brown). Serve at room temperature.

Source: Allrecipes.com

Design by Sara Hernandez & Jennifer Tate Photos by Alma Hernandez

8

February 3, 2011

Global Lens Film Series reaches small, fervent crowd

By Nadia Tamez-Robledo The Pan American

There’s a ‘friend’ on television again! Well, sort of. Matthew Perry will return to the small screen Feb. 9 in a new ABC comedy. “Mr. Sunshine” finds Perry as a sports arena manager going through a mid-life crisis.

Photos by Freddie Martinez / The Pan American Natalie Portman is having quite the year so far. Just off the heels of the critical and commercial success “Black Swan,” Portman stars in “The Other Woman,” the tale of a newly married woman fending off her husband’s ex-wife.

The spirit of Bob Marley’s music is an eternal one. This Tuesday, Marley’s final performance on Sep. 23, 1980 was released.

The two-disc “Live Forever” was recorded at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, Pa., and captures a raw, inspiring set in front of a soldout crowd.

dancing kings and queens - UTPA’s Ballet Folklorico rehearses in the Fine Arts Auditorium on Wednesday in preparation for Alegria 2011, Encanto, Magia y Pasion. The February performances feature 32 dancers with live music by Mariachi Mexico Lindo.

dance for joy >> Annual Ballet-Folklorico show at UTPA aims to reach community and raise arts awareness.

By Lupe Flores The Pan American

The always amusing and slightly unsightly butt-sniffing tendencies of your favorite furry friends may finally be put to good use in Japan. Japanese researchers have found a way to train dogs to detect bowel cancer in humans. Go figure.

Ballet-folklorico dance lovers from all over will convene today at the UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium Court Yard at 6 p.m. to attend the Ballet Folklorico’s second annual premiere dinner show for Alegria 2011, Encanto, Magia y Pasion.

Although the company had its beginnings more than four decades ago, it wasn’t until last year that the Friends of the Ballet Folklorico Committee decided after years of planning to finally feature a premiere dinner and show a day before the seasonal performances slated for the month of February.

Dora Brown, along with directors Francisco and Mary Munoz and other

committee chairs, wanted to start a tradition of awareness about the company and what it has to offer the campus, the Rio Grande Valley community, and the world.

“I always say, ‘You don’t have to travel to the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City to see stunning performances’,” said Brown, a senior vice president of Marketing for IBC who serves on the committee. “We have them here. Our group is just as good as their ballet-folklorico!”

Awareness isn’t the only thing emphasized this year. With it should come community involvement. Brown said hosting the dinner has allowed that to happen.

“We really wanted to get the community involved somehow,” she said.

Chamber of Commerce members from Pharr, Edinburg and Mission, plus members from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, are part of the committee this year. Because of this, Brown explained that the performance’s target audience was able to expand.

“Their involvement helped us reach out and sell tickets to people we weren’t able to before,” she said.

Mary Munoz, assistant director, said she is thrilled about the expected turnout of the premiere dinner event, as 175 people are expected to attend the dinner this year, more than half of last year’s attendance.

“It’s supposed to be intimate, a small private affair so people can interact and network and then grow from there as they tell their friends and family about us,” Munoz said.

THE SHOW On Friday at 7:30 p.m., the company will officially debut a dance suite titled Estado De México: Los Mazahuas – Tiempo Sagrado (or Mexico State: The Mazahuas – Sacred Time) an original choreography based on the 2008 ethnographic research findings in the Mazahua region of Mexico.

The dance, according to a press release, depicts a religious manifestation of the community, mixing preHispanic rituals with Christian traditions in devotion to San Francisco, a patron saint.

Tickets for the show are $10 for adults and children, $5 for students and $3 per student/teacher during the two concerts for public/private schools.

Alegria 2011, Encanto, Magia y Pasion will run Feb. 4, 11, 18, and 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 5, 6, 12, 13,19 and 20 at 2:30 p.m. Private and public school showings will be held Feb. 10 and 11. For ticket information and details, contact the dance office at 665-2230.

Starting off south of the border and making its most recent stop in North Africa, the films of the Global Lens Series have taken audiences at The University of Texas-Pan American halfway around the world in four months.

The series was created by The Global Film Initiative, a coalition of filmmakers and cultural organizations dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding and combating prejudice. The 2010 lineup includes 10 films from countries like Mexico, Serbia, India, and Algeria.

“I just think that for a human, if you have that exposure to learn something new every day, to understand each other, and to embrace each other with our lives and traditions, it keeps us going,” said Nadia Gallegos, a business analyst for the Office of Admissions and New Student Services who initiated the program with media and marketing librarian Virginia Gause. “There’s always a surprise.”

After the first film screening in September, which featured “Becloud (Vaho)” from Mexico, Gallegos was approached by faculty members who said they enjoyed the movie and wanted the opportunity to talk about what they saw, at future showings. The following month, about 25 audience members stayed to discuss the themes of the Serbian film “Ordinary People,” which dealt with a young soldier ordered to routinely execute civilians during the 1990s conflict in the Balkans.

“It was very rewarding to see people stay and wanted to talk more into detail,” Gallegos said. “[The audience] always leaves with something. It was a good response for us to see that they wanted to stay, they wanted to talk about it, and that for us means that they enjoyed it.”

Plans to bring the films to UTPA began when Gallegos learned of the series at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, one of the partners of The Global Film Initiative. A native of Mexico, Gallegos encountered the transformative power of cultural exchange firsthand when she spent time studying English at a language institute in Arizona with students from around the world.

“I felt that it completely changed my life, the experience of being getting to know people from Japan, Iceland, Korea, Brazil,” she said. “When I saw this, I wanted to share this with the university and get our students exposed to other cultures, and get ideas about traveling, get ideas about wanting to try some Indian food or to listen to Arabic music.”

The next installment of the Global Lens Series with be held Feb. 17 and features “Adrift (Choi Voi),” a Vietnamese film about that portrays how one young woman’s blossoming sexuality unfolds through dramatic love triangle. Each movie will have two screenings at the Student Union: Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays at 3 p.m.

February 3, 2011

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3 de febrero del 2011

Nueva red inalámbrica en UTPA Por Yngrid Fuentes The Pan American Todo semestre que empieza conlleva cambios y diferencias. Lo obsoleto se descarta y es momento de innovar, de empezar el nuevo periodo con el pie derecho.

Sumándose a la lista de cambios y procedimientos nuevos, el acceso a la red inalámbrica en la Universidad de

Texas-Pan Americana ha cambiado en más de una manera. Con el propósito de incrementar la seguridad inalámbrica, se creó la red estudiantil ST2010, inaugurada en enero del 2010, a la cual, la mayoría de los estudiantes ya han migrado sus dispositivos inalámbricos.

“Una de las razones por las que se hizo la migración es que la red ‘student’ estaba siendo transmitida (era visible) y ST2010 no, lo cual la hace más segura (a ST2010)”, explico Murphy Joseph, especialista en redes.

“Es un poco más segura y el método de encriptación es más seguro también, es de lo último en encriptación y soporta velocidades

más rápidas. ‘sudent’ no”.

“Los estudiantes que se conectaban a ‘student’ van a tener que transferirse a ST2010, la cual permite mejor encriptación y más seguridad, por lo tanto, cuando naveguen el internet o trabajen en internet van a tener mayor seguridad.

Va a ser más difícil para los hackers robar información”.

En un inicio, cuando se desplegó la red inalámbrica ST2010 hace un año, la red “student” seguía funcionando para iniciar el proceso de migrar a los estudiantes de una red a la otra, poco a poco sin cancelar por completo la red.

Para poder dar fin a la transición, el departamento de servicios de red apago la red inalámbrica “student” el pasado viernes 28 de enero; por lo tanto, aquellos dispositivos que no fueron migrados a la red no tendrán acceso a los servicios inalámbricos en UTPA. Joseph explicó que aunque la red “student’ ya no se transmite, sigue disponible sin ser vista por dispositivos inalámbricos como medida de precaución.

“Por el momento la red ‘student’ sigue ahí como medida de precaución en caso de que exista algún otro servicio o dispositivo que dependa de ella y del cual no estemos al tanto, pero no hacemos visible la red ‘student’ para que no sea descubierta fácilmente”, afirmo

Joseph. “Pero va a ser deshabilitada por ventana de ayuda para que hagan el completo dentro de poco”. proceso de configuración”, menciono el Con el propósito de facilitar la experto. “Es una alternativa para que los configuraron necesaria que involucra estudiantes, facultad y personal puedan el migrar a la red inalámbrica ST2010, hacer el proceso por si mismos en cualquier el departamento lugar en el campus de información tener que ir al “La nueva red permite mejor sin y tecnología edificio de servicios ofrece el servicio encriptación y más seguridad, académicos. Pueden de configuración hacerlos desde su por lo tanto cuando naveguen automática, el cual oficina”. funciona como o trabajen en internet van a Te r m i n a d o autoservicio, ya el proceso, la que los estudiantes tener mayor seguridad y será migración a ST2010 pueden y deben más difícil para los hackers estará completa y hacer el proceso no será necesario por si mismos, lo robar información”. volver a hacerlo único que necesitan a menos que se es conectarse realicen cambios temporalmente a la en la contraseña, red UTPA-SETUP la cual expira cada Murphy Joseph año, o que la cuenta y seguir paso a paso Especialista en redes de estudiante este las instrucciones que aparecerán al abrir inactiva. Una vez el navegador de red instalado ST2010, (Internet Explorer, firefox, safari, etc.) El es importante asegurarse de siempre proceso es automático y lo único necesario conectarse a esa red ya que UTPA-SETUP para llevarlo a cabo son el usuario y solo sirve para el proceso de instalación y contraseña que cada estudiare usa para no para navegación en Internet. tener acceso a ASSIST. En caso de tener dudas respecto a “El servicio de configuración la transición a la nueva red inalámbrica, automática es para que los estudiantes contacte a la ventana de ayuda en puedan configurar sus laptops o cualquier academic services o llame a soporte de otro dispositivo sin tener que ir a la información y tecnología al 665-2020.

Ballet folklórico a empezar presentaciones

El grupo de baile de UTPA empezará sus presentaciones a partir de mañana 4 de febrero y hasta el 20 del mismo mes.

Por Sergio Giron The Pan American

En el anfiteatro del complejo de arte ensayan incontables horas 32 jóvenes de distintas carreras y edades por una meta en común: la mejor presentación del folklore mexicano posible.

“El grupo de baile folklórico consiste de 32 jóvenes bailarines que se enfocan en estudiar el baile mexicano”, dijo Francisco Muñoz, coordinador del programa de baile del departamento de música y danza.

“Una cosa importante a recalcar es que nosotros somos del grupo de ballet folklórico más viejo que existe ahorita en todo Estados Unidos, con 41 años”.

Muñoz, quien también funge

como el consejero principal de la Organización Estudiantil de Baile, también expresó las aptitudes que alguien tiene que tener para convertirse en bailarín del ballet folklórico escolar. “Primeramente el aspirante tiene que haber tomado clases de técnica, las cuales yo uso para visorear gente con potencial y de ahí más o menos escojo la gente que me gustaría que se quedara”, comentó Muñoz. “Normalmente se piensa que hay que tener mucho talento, pero no necesariamente.

El talento sería bueno que todos lo tuvieran pero es mejor que estén las ganas de participar y el gusto por el baile”.

El ballet que periódicamente cambia sus presentaciones para refrescar la atención de los adeptos al “segundo arte” se prepara para

coreografías originales de varios estados de México”, afirmó Muñoz, que orquesta ensayos de seis horas diarias.

Entre las características especiales presentar el nuevo show que que la nueva compilación de folklore mexicano, tendrá comienzo l l a m a d o el próximo 4 “Hemos traído unos “Alegría” tiene de febrero cada viernes a las 19:30 maestros de la Universidad para ofrecerles a los visitantes es horas y los sábados de Veracruz a través de un la participación y domingos a las 14:00 horas hasta convenio, son dos personajes de una banda sonora folklórica el 20 del mismo a nivel en vivo mes en el auditorio reconocidos acompañando a de artes. internacional y nos vinieron los danzantes.

“Para esto que “Normalvamos a presentar a compartir coreografías de mente este hemos traído varios estados de México”. tipo de presenunos maestros de taciones no van la Universidad de acompañadas de Veracruz a través Francisco Muñoz música en vivo, de un convenio.

Coordinador del Ballet Folklórico pero en esta Son 2 personajes ocasión nos está reconocidos a acompañando nivel internacional y que nos vinieron a compartir el Mariachi México Lindo, que está

formado por personas de todo el Valle”, agregó Muñoz. Ésta singular compañía de danza tiene aún mucho que ofrecerle a los estudiantes de UTPA y al público en general, pues se prevén aún otros dos espectáculos de danza. El número de artistas sigue en aumento y las competencias nacionales empiezan el siguiente año, razones suficientes para optar por expandir posibilidades de recreación a una de las más practicadas y populares de las siete artes, que posee dentro del auditorio de bellas artes de UTPA. Más energía y dinamismo que nunca para representar la cultura del baile mexicano y ofrecernos un show de primera calidad.

Los boletos para estas presentaciones estarán en venta en el banco IBC en todos los Wal-Mart del Valle en $8 y en la entrada del auditorio en $10 para adultos y $5 para estudiantes y niños. Para mas información llame al departamento de danza al 665-2230.

February 3, 2011

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February 3, 2011

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First meet: down Track and field shakes off dust at Houston Invite

By Sara Hernandez The Pan American

Hector Gonzalez/The Pan American

ready for take off- Freshman Sharyland graduate Estevan Hernandez, is one of the newcomers of the UTPA track and field. team. He placed 29th in the 60-meter hurdles.

The 2011 season began for the UTPA track and field teams last weekend at the Houston Invitational with unsteady, but progressively better work on both the men’s and the women’s side.

“We had solid performances this past Saturday, we definitely could tell that it was the first meet of the year, we came out a little shaky, nothing to be really concerned about,” third-season head coach Dave Hartman said. “However, we know that we have a lot of work to do to be where we want to be.”

The athletes admit their performances weren’t the best, but they note that they had been waiting to get back on the track for months.

“I was excited. I love competing and it was nice to finally be on the track racing again,” said Andrew Lopez, one of the top finishers for the Broncs Saturday.

The junior Nikki Rowe ex finished in seventh place in the mile run with a time of 4:22.17, followed ten spots behind by Omar Doria of Edinburg.

Lopez also obtained 19th place in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:59.29.

Doria and Lopez were also part of the third-place team in the distance medley relay (DMR), in which legs run

1,200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters and 1,600 meters, in that order. Other members of the relay were French freshman newcomer Martin Casse and TAMUK transfer Guillermo Martinez.

UTPA ran a 1:20.94 DMR. After a first-meet success, Lopez added that hopefully the entire team will get on the improvement track in order to meet the expectations set for this season.

“I expect our team to set goals and then train hard to meet those goals throughout the season,” Lopez said.

“Personally, I want to continue to lower my times in my events and hopefully break a few school records and qualify to nationals while I’m at it.”

Moreover, sophomore Scott Bann from Long View, Texas led the Broncs in the shot put with a 14.09-meter toss.

In the weight throw, senior McAllen native Oscar Barrera was the best in the team and hit a 15.69-meter mark for a 14th-place finish.

On the women’s side, senior Melinda Sarmiento of Progreso was a personal standout for the Broncs, clearing the 5-foot-2 feet bar in the high jump for an eight-place finish. In that same event, freshman Alana Duval cleared 5-foot-1 meters.

“Every meet feels like it’s the first meet, you go out there and get things done,” Sarmiento said. “Competition has always been a challenge and that is something I look forward to every meet.”

Sophomore Judith Chumba placed 19th in the mile run with a time of 5:21.28 and 31st in the 3,000-meter running a race of 11:11.52. Lilian Lagat

crossed the line in 25th place in the mile and 26th in the 3,000.

Sarmiento, last year’s Great West Conference indoor high-jump champion, added that although the performance of the team could have been better, the first meet is a good opportunity for newcomers who had never competed at the college level, let alone in an indoor track, to test the waters and get ready to work toward improving their marks.

“We have a fresh team, a lot of new athletes this year,” she said. “As a team we are looking forward to getting practice and getting a feel for what needs to be done for the next meet. First meets are always a challenge and with experience it lets us find a ways to get better.”

Unlike the usual 400-meter outdoor track, an indoor track is only 200 meters long, with steeper curves and shorter straightaways. The first part of the track and field season is always indoors and concludes when the team competes at the GWC Indoor Championships in late February.

The teams head to the Howie Ryan All Comers in Houston this weekend.

As UTPA finished the 2010 GWC Indoor Championships in fifth place on both the women’s and the men’s side, coaching staff and athletes believe this could be the year when the Broncs stand on the winners’ podium after the indoor season.

“I honestly believe that we can place in the top three in both indoor and outdoor conference,” Bann said. “We have a very strong team this year.”

This year’s GWC Indoor Championships starts Feb. 27 in Newark, N.J.

Russian sisters make UTPA home away from home

By Sara Hernandez The Pan American The Nazarova Sisters are easily recognizable; they’re way taller than the average Valley woman and are seen together most of the time. Also, they’re both all smiles.

“We love it here, especially our tennis team,” said older sister Dana.

Zalina and Dana first came to the United States when they were 15 and 16 years old, respectively. They finished high school in Nalchik, Russia early and came to this side of the globe to play at Sacramento State in California for two years. But budget cuts in that state led to their release from the team and at that point they were advised to contact Coach Chris Taylor.

The UTPA coach decided that the sisters would be a good addition to the women’s tennis program, which lost four seniors last season, and the Nazarovas were added in September.

The Nazerovas have been best friends their entire lives, and they started playing tennis together about nine years

ago. This closeness helped them during the hardest times, especially migrating to the United States.

The sisters weren’t used to American culture, but the support from each other has helped them prosper on and outside the tennis court.

“We always go together and it’s always great to have the support of your sister,” Dana said. “Even during matches she knows what to tell me, and I know what to tell her, it’s amazing that we have this possibility to be together.”

The connection is evident as they cheerfully talk about their experiences in the Valley so far, such as becoming friends with the workers at the school’s coffee stands, where they satisfy their cravings daily.

In fact, the siblings complete each other’s sentences when explaining how much they like the cafeteria and its personnel.

“People here are very nice,” Zalina said, opening her big green eyes

widely – one of the most evident differences of the sisters.

Dana is one inch taller than her sister and in contrast with to her sister’s green eyes and rather blond hair, her hair is almost black and her eyes are dark blue.

Another difference may be future plans after UTPA: Dana plans to attend law school after obtaining a political science degree from UTPA while Zalina is studying graphic design and is still undecided on what the future will bring after graduation.

The juniors, who are also doubles partners, added that they communicate every day with their parents in Russia to tell them how things are going in school and tennis, and to seek for the support and approbation of their folks.

ALMOST HOME Upon their arrival to UTPA, the sisters said that they identified with their teammates right away; after one semester of being together, the members of the

group have bonded to become more than teammates.

“We’re like a big family, and we have people from all around the world,” said Zalina, who is 19 and 5-feet-8.

The UTPA women’s tennis team does sport a combination of people from different places of the globe. In addition to Malin Andersen from Sweden and Retta Raty from Finland, who have been here for two years, the team received three international players last semester aside from the sisters.

Freshman Wanda Beguelin is French, Blanca Izaguirre is Mexican, and Sunny Strkic is from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“We’re always supporting each other,” Dana said. “It’s a very interesting experience, we get to know so many cultures, their rules, their traditions, the way they act, everything…it’s very interesting.”

Although the team began the season with 7-0 losses against SMU and TCU two weekends ago, continued with a 7-0 setback against Texas State, and lost 6-1 to UTSA last weekend, Dana said

MEET THE NAZEROVAS AND FRIENDS Check out the women’s tennis photo gallery at PANAMERICANONLINE.COM

that progress is happening.

“With every match we play better and better, we keep improving,” she said.

The UTPA women’s program was selected by Great West Conference coaches to repeat as conference champions this year over NJIT, which is expected to finish second, and North Dakota, who will supposedly come in third.

“Everybody wants to win this conference, it’s very important for us. We’re getting ready for it,” Zalina said.

So the women are on the same page when it comes to playing with a purpose. Head coach Taylor highlighted the importance of a team getting along on and off the tennis court, in order to embrace the friendship that links them beyond tennis matters.

“I always believe that they’re going to play harder for each other if they’re friends with each other off the court, not just on the court,” he said. The women will take the court next on Saturday against Nicholls State in their first home match of the season. The series at the Orville Cox Tennis Center starts at 10 a.m.