Building the triathlete
UTPA hosts second annual triathlon for education
Pages 4-5
Volume 70, No.12
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November 14, 2013
Policing beyond the sidewalks
Recognition Day
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UTPA police department holds jurisdiction throughout the Rio Grande Valley By Andrew Vera The Pan American
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Local FBI agents discovered a stash house holding 71 undocumented immigrants in Alamo Oct. 16 and asked for help from the U.S. Border Patrol, the Alamo Police Department and the UTPA Police Department, according to The Monitor. While some may think the UTPA police department focuses its efforts solely on campus, Chief of Police Roger Stearns explained they are actually state police officers with jurisdiction that covers any county with property owned, operated or leased by The University of Texas System. “I think that there is a misperception, not just by students, but by faculty, staff, visitors and by the public, that our responsibilities as police officers ends at our sidewalk, and that’s not true,” Stearns said. “We have the same responsibility as any law enforcement office and that responsibil-
ity certainly extends beyond the sidewalks of the University.” The UTPA police staff consists of 48 full-time employees of which 23 hold police officer positions. Many on this team are also UTPA alumni. While these officers must keep up physical fitness and firearm skills, Stearns also noted that regular maintenance training helps keep officers prepared for active shooter and other violent threat situations. Stearns, the chief of University police for nearly five years, explained that the campus police department comprises a highly trained tactical team that has trained with SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) and the Texas Department of Public Safety. His team members have also trained to be
an advanced tactical team at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. FLETC is a key component for
nizations, FLETC also focuses on providing training for small community police staffs, such as the UTPA Police Department. While the skills learned by UTPA police through these agencies are practiced on campus, they are also used across the Rio Grande Valley with no limits on their outreach, Stearns said. These skills were present when UTPA police raided an illegal immigrant stash house and aided local authorities in finding similar stash houses in nearby areas. When surrounding cities need help with cases, the UTPA Police Department is on the list of officials to call, Stearns said. In July 2012, UTPA police were called to aid an investigation by Edinburg
UTPA police officers have jurisdiction in any county with property owned, operated or leased by the UT System. the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that has trained more than one million law enforcement agents since its start in 1970. Serving officers from rural, state and government orga-
police, who discovered human remains near a drainage ditch off South Raul Longoria Road. “We have property all the way from Rio Grande City in Starr County all the way out to (the UTPA) Coastal Studies Laboratory at South Padre Island,” said the former Vanderbilt University patrol major. “We extend the entire distance of the RGV.” In the event of an active shooter situation on campus or a stash house raid in any part of the Valley, Stearns feels his staff has the proper training to serve and protect the more than 20,000 faculty, staff and students on campus, as well as aid local law enforcement agencies. “What we want to provide to the University community is a professional law enforcement agency,” Stearns said. “We actively engage in training and we actively engage in providing the same services that you would expect from any larger municipality.”
2
opinion
November 14, 2013
#UTPA
WHAT’S THE BEEF WITH EATING GREEN?
Tweet at and follow us @ThePan American
Sitting in the quad and there are males wearing wigs and dresses throwing pies at each other while the band plays. Ah, college. #UTPA -@lysmariee3 NCAA men’s basketball FINAL: UTPA 94, Huston- Tillotson 62. #GoBroncs 1st win of the season #rgv -@action4sports theres another name being circulated up at UT-System headquarters for the new university UTFB: UT Full of beaners. #utpa #utb. Might as well -@SirGregGarcia
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thepanamerican@ gmail.com
Vol. 70, No. 12
A vegetarian’s view on a carnivore’s mind Jon Nutt Photography Editor Oh no! No meat! What kind of cruel world is this, to be denied the succulent, juicy wonder that is a delicious steak or burger? However, a world full of meat consumption is the cruel world. A world where animals are killed for simply being less intelligent than people. If intelligence defines what may or may not be eaten, then why not the mentally disabled? Certainly those with mental disabilities are less intelligent than the average person and place a heavy burden on the economy, costing nearly $57.5 billion in 2006 as reported by The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Not only would eating the mentally disabled provide able-bodied citizens with food, but $57.5 billion will be redirected to other
important causes. Now, this is a truly monstrous act to undergo, for these are people. Some will argue that it is not the intelligence of an animal that defines whether or not you should eat meat, but it is a natural occurrence of evolution that has led people to crave meat. In fact, people have been eating meat for more than 1.5 million years, according to a study done by the University of Colorado. Does this mean that the fact that ancient humans ate meat suggests that it is only natural that modern humans do as well? No, we shouldn’t. Ancient humans ate a meatbased diet out of necessity, due to the scarcity of food and the caloric benefits. Beef is a rela-
THE PAN AMERICAN
tively calorie-dense food, coming in at 193 calories per 100 grams while broccoli only has 34 calories per 100 grams. Beef has more than five times as many calories per 100 grams, proving to be an invaluable asset to the ancient human. In modern society, one can easily acquire the necessary amount of broccoli at a grocery store at any time. Thus, we have begun to outgrow the primitive necessity of meat. There is one reason to eat meat that is most prominent in today’s world. This reasoning is easily the most vile and disgusting. People blow off the issue of their meat consumption by saying meat is just too good to give up. Others flat out do not care about the suffering that is indirectly caused by them against animals. Lacking the self-control to end the con-
sumption of meat is in no way a proper justification for eating meat. Much in the same way that being unable to stop oneself from killing is not an acceptable justification for murder. In fact, the systematic murder of animals is exactly what is occurring daily. In 2012 alone, about 9 million animals were killed, not sent to some fun little factory where they became packaged goods. Rather, they had their throats slit, skin ripped from their bodies, and in some cases ground and stuffed into their own organs. And to those who simply don’t care, they are only one of two things: willfully ignorant or malevolent. In either case, they have given up some of the basic characteristics of humanity. The drive to learn
and to become educated, to be more than an imbecile staring at the wall, shouting nonsense and refusing to understand the impact their decisions have on others. As well as compassion, the love of another is easily one of the most important factors in living a quality life. Unfortunately, humans still have trouble loving one another, trouble with coming to agreements, trouble with keeping out of battlefields and trouble with maintaining humanity. Nevertheless, humans push on to become better than they were yesterday. In the United States alone, 7.3 million Americans live meatless lives. Whatever their reasons, they bring justice to the world.
CARTOON
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EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Norma Gonzalez Lea Victoria Juarez NEWS EDITOR: Susan Gonzalez SPORTS EDITORS:
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ARTS & LIFE EDITOR: May Ortega PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Jon Nutt DESIGN EDITOR: Francisco Rodriguez
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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Anita Reyes
ADVERTISING MANAGER Elva Ramirez WEBMASTER: Josue Guzman 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 of university.
Elizabeth Lozano/The Pan American Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa gives a speech to fellow veterans in the Student Union Theater Nov. 11. Hinojosa served as a squad leader in the Vietnam War from 1966-1968.
Itzel A. Lopez/The Pan American
news
November 14, 2013
3
Pros, cons to technology usage at UTPA By Ashley Hernandez The Pan American According to the 2011 U.S. Census, most young people typically live in households with computers and access to the Internet. For example, people 18 to 34 years of age reported living in a home with a computer 82.8 percent of the time and accessing the Internet 82.0 percent of the time. This trend holds true at UTPA, where technology is incorporated into education through The Center of Excellence in STEM Education. At the Center, students have access to software programs such as Visual Body 3D, GIMP and iPads with applications such as Planets, a 3D guide to the solar system and Khan Academy, which provides almost 3,000 educational videos in a range of subjects. The University also accommodates students with computer labs, Bronc Notes, Bronc Emails, online classes and has been exploring Blackboard Collaborate, a platform designed to create visual classrooms and meeting spaces that open more possibilities to students. Miguel Gonzalez, assistant director for the Center of Excellence, noted the importance of the University’s use of technology in education, which will only increase as time passes. “Technology supports the way students learn. They don’t learn the way I learned, especially now with the use of smartphones and computer pads,” he said. “It makes for a big difference in terms of how students learn and how (teachers) are able to get (their) point across.” NEW TECHNOLOGY Similar to Blackboard Collaborate, UTPA launched an online learning experience in 2007 called Second Life and currently has more than 100 students enrolled in different disciplines. The program is a 3D virtual environment that enhances the learning process by providing contact with individuals across the world through role-playing, simulation and exploration. In this digital content, the student attends class through an avatar. The student sits
with the avatars of fellow classmates as they are taught by the professor’s avatar, which lectures and incorporates visual content online. Leticia Garza, who is taking the course Teaching Language Arts and Social Studies in the Elementary Classroom within Second Life, said she likes innovative aspects of the program, but gets frustrated with the system’s glitches. “There are positive points to the program, but we’ve had times when it freezes because...about 30 students are logged on all at the same time because we have to be,” the interdisciplinary studies major said. “Even though the course is challenging because it is online and can seem like more work on top of in-class work, the program is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.” Cristiana Villalobos, a professor in the Department of Mathematics, said she uses and encourages students to use the software Graphmatica, which provides an equation plotter with numerical and calculus features. She also teaches with Matlab, which is used for numerical computation and programming, in her Linear Optimization course. She said she is exploring how software programs can provide students with visual aids to help them comprehend the material. “In mathematics, we try to incorporate software that is associated with mathematics or geography to help students better understand concepts,” Villalobos said. “The Matlab software is incorporated with the textbook and it is a powerful conceptual tool for students to conduct experiments and codes.” Frequently looking for software programs to meet the needs of her students, Villalobos said challenging them to operate such programs efficiently will prove effective in the long run. “We try to familiarize students in several technologies because programs, such as Matlab, are still used in the graduate program,” she said, “and students who are going into the industry use many of the same programs...that way students can benefit and have an edge on others.”
ONLINE COURSES As of fall 2011, more than 6.7 million students enrolled in postsecondary education have taken an online course, according to a study by Babson Survey Research Group. Additionally, 77 percent rated the learning outcomes in online education equal or superior to face-toface education. According to Nick Taylor, a lecturer in the Department of Communication, online tools grant accessibility that is necessary for students who are in a time crunch, have problems commuting or whose priorities include personal and professional responsibilities. “We see things like Blackboard, online learning, YouTube - areas where students
to be considerate toward the complications that come with technology, Taylor said. “The technology is still losing students, where their assignments get lost, glitches in the system that have to be worked out,” he explained. “That may make some people perceive online students as not as capable or motivated as a student sitting in a classroom, but a motivated student is going to succeed.” Additionally, Ruben A. Mazariegos, assistant chair in the Department of Physics and Geology, expressed how the online experience differs from student to student. Mazariegos has been teaching hybrid classes, a combination of traditional classroom
There’s still some advantages to old ways, but it’s hard to not use technology to teach. - Miguel Gonzalez Asst. Dir. for STEM Center
can go when a professor is unavailable or a professor can direct them to and they can get tutoring or ideas,” Taylor said. “For example, a professor can put a lecture on YouTube or Blackboard and the students don’t have to say, ‘What did they say in class on Thursday?’ So that collaboration helps open up lines of understanding and communication.” There is the perception that online students are less punctual in turning in assignments in comparison to ground students, but as an online teacher, a person has
teaching and an online learning environment, and full online courses, since 1999. The year he started teaching online courses was the same year the Center for Distance Learning, now known as the Center for Online Teaching and Technology, was founded by computer science professor Wendy L . Fowler. During the first year, Mazariegos piloted the selected course, Principles of Physical Geography, then started teaching one hybrid course and one regular course simultaneously each year.
After careful consideration and feedback from students, the transition to a fully-online course was implemented. “It depends on the individual student. For some students it is hard to ask a question in the regular classroom setting, but this same student may find it very comfortable and nonintimidating to ask a question via an online method,” he said. “I taught face-to-face courses and I have seen that many students feel more confident within the online environment as they tend to ask questions more frequently, since the communication is just between the student and the instructor without the pressure of a regular classroom.” For online students, the opportunities to connect fellow classmates and the professor are available, and innovative technology could further improve the relationship students and educators have with online learning tools, Mazariegos said. “Online students also have the opportunity to share their questions with the instructor and the whole online class via the Bulletin Board on Blackboard, so other students also (benefit from) the response,” he added. TRADITIONAL METHODS In a classroom, ideas and resources are shared that foster relationships between classmates and encourages active participation, said Sandra Amaro, whose main reason for choosing live instead of online classes is the lack of face-to-face communication. “The main disadvantage for online classes is the interactions between students and professors,” Amaro, an English major, said. “I don’t prefer taking online classes over ground classes because I still do like to go to the classroom and listen to the lecture as well as interact with my classmates.” According to The National Center for Education Statistics, the number of students enrolled in at least one distance education course increased between 2002 and 2006 from 1.1 million to 12.2 million. By 2014, the research firm Ambient Institute predicts that
the number of students taking exclusively online classes will increase to 3.55 million and the number of students taking on-campus courses will drop to 5.14 million. Michael Reed, a professor in the Department of English, agrees that online instruction is both non-personal and misused by students who gather answers and resources from the web to cheat. Reed has been operating a self-made website for more than 20 years that provides students with a syllabus and information pertinent to course work. However, he uses the computer in his classroom only when it seems appropriate. “To me, the most serious issue (is that) online courses do not offer interaction between students and faculty in person,” Reed said. “I know for a fact that much of the work that is submitted online is not work done by the student receiving the grade. I have talked to various professors who have taught online courses and they know that the students are cheating, but there is no way to determine who is doing the writing on the other end.” The opportunity for students to critique each other’s work, have healthy debates and find solutions with fellow classmates can be achieved in an in-class setting, Reed added. “Class discussion of a poem is valuable to students because it gives them the opportunity to learn basic analysis of a text,” he said. “It gives them a chance to offer their own analysis and to have that analysis added to or corrected by other students and the teacher.” Gonzalez agreed that there are disadvantages to using technology in education, but there are also advantages. The most important factor is what a student’s needs and preferences are, he said. “There’s still some advantages to old ways, but it’s hard to not use technology to teach. From recording lectures to teaching online for certain courses...it’s pretty prevalent in this University,” he said. “There’s always new and better ways to teach and get our learning objectives out to the students.”
participated with the children’s mother on the sidelines. The Swanson family’s participation is exactly what Yvette Padilla, director of stewardship and annual giving at UTPA, had in mind. She planned for the event to bring the community and the student body together for the sake of education. Padilla, who has worked as an advisor with the triathlon planning staff for two years, strongly believes in what UTPA is trying to accomplish through the triathlon, in its second year. “The University really wants to support the community and we really want to be an engaged University,” Padilla said. “(We want) to make sure that the community is looking at the University as a means for direction. So that the community can look at its health. That’s why we thought the triathlon would be a good mix.” Aside from promoting health and physical activity, the University hosted this event to raise money to support the TMC scholarship fund, hence the title of the event, Triathlon for Education. “Team McAllen established a scholarship fund with the University,” Padilla said. “It’s open to all disciplines and all classifications...it can be up to $500 and awarded to several students.” This year there were about 170 participants of all ages, one of the young-
the University for 12 miles. When they rounded back to the University, the participants then ran a total of two miles down the Bronc Trail. Along the area outside the Field House were booths serving water and fruit for the runners, such as bananas and citrus, to prevent cramps and injuries. Standing outside one of these booths near the finish line, gulping down a bottle of water, stood 15-year-
In the long run, this event was hosted to raise money for students and to bring the University closer to the community. But the athleticism is not to be underrated. It was a full-on triathlon. The participants began by swimming 400 yards, then ran to their bike stations and continued on a route around
old Hoyt Crouch. He finished his portion of the triathlon in about 47 minutes, though later he explained how he was disgruntled at a last-minute change in plans for the race. “I was supposed to do the full (triathlon),” the Mission native said. “I signed up for that one, but when I got to the front, they told me since I was 15 that
-Suzannah Swanson Trithalon participant
I like to go fast, my favorite part (of competing) is the swim, ‘cause (then) I’m not in my wheelchair. I’m free.
THE TRI PART
est was Suzanna Swanson. According to Padilla, their entry payments and the money from the sponsors keep the fund going. This year the amount raised was near $10,000. The team established the fund and agreed to contribute to the effort every year with funds raised during sporting events. In total, five scholarships a year are awarded.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS The triathlon also featured relays; groups of three would each partake in a section of the course and compete as a team. One such group was the Swanson family. Suzannah Swanson dreams of one day competing in the Paralympics. At UTPA, she rode out the race with her father and sister on a specially designed racing chair on loan from the Texas Paralympics Association.
I had to do the kid one, so I ended up biking six miles short.” The difference between the adult triathlon and the children’s version was the distance of the biking section of the race. The kids had to bike six miles while the adults went the full 12. Crouch, at his age, is a veteran of sorts when it comes to triathlons. He is a member of team Multisport Manic, a training team for experienced triathletes from all over the Rio Grande Valley. According to the group’s website, members of the team must complete at least one distance triathlon and train to compete in at least three per year. Crouch has done 16 in total. Despite his setback, Crouch achieved the top place for his division, taking home first for individuals.
NEXT YEAR According to USAtriathalon.org, U.S. triathlon participation is at a high, with 550,446 triathletes in 2012, as compared to between 100,000 and 130,000 in the period 1998-2000. The increase can be seen in the Valley, as the Triathlon for Education staff moves forward planning for next year’s run. “It is an introduction,” Padilla said. “This is what I have learned...the younger generations have this event so they can start to train so that later on they can become participants in bigger...and more extensive (triathlons), so this is a step towards that.”
“She grew up watching her dad do triathlons,” said Jackie Swanson, Suzannah’s mother. “This is actually her fourth triathlon. She’s done two where she does it all by herself. The swim and the run, and two where it’s a relay. But this is the first time using the racing wheelchair.” Suzannah was exhausted after the race, breathing heavily and resting her arms, but she smiled when explaining why she competes. “I like to go fast,” she said. “My favorite part (of competing) is the swim, ‘cause (then) I’m not in my wheelchair. I’m free.” The Swanson family ended up winning first place in its relay division.
UTPA hosted a triathalon Nov. 10 consisting of a 400-yard swim, six or 12 mile bike ride and a 2 mile run. The funds raised during the event go to a scolarship fund for UTPA students.
Suzanna Swanson was born with Spina Bifida; she cannot walk and uses a wheelchair to get around. But the 10-year-old spent Nov. 10 with her family, making her way around University on a hand-cycle during the Triathlon for Education. The triathlon started at the University’s pool at the UTPA Field House Indoor Pool. A line formed to the far left as the first of the contestants jumped into the water, one after the other in 15-second intervals. Each individual raced to finish their 400 yards and continued on to the rest of the day’s events. This is the second year the University sponsored the on-campus event. UTPA hosts the event because the money raised will benefit the Team McAllen Cycling scholarship fund. The fund can be awarded to students up to the amount of $500. The triathlon consisted of a two-mile run, a six or 12 mile bike ride and a 400- yard swim. The event was open to all, and some came from Houston. Both students and the community participated in the event. The Swanson Family was one such group. The father and his two daughters
Story by Kristela Garza Photos by Jon Nutt The Pan American
UTPA hosts second triathalon
Building the triathlete
participated with the children’s mother on the sidelines. The Swanson family’s participation is exactly what Yvette Padilla, director of stewardship and annual giving at UTPA, had in mind. She planned for the event to bring the community and the student body together for the sake of education. Padilla, who has worked as an advisor with the triathlon planning staff for two years, strongly believes in what UTPA is trying to accomplish through the triathlon, in its second year. “The University really wants to support the community and we really want to be an engaged University,” Padilla said. “(We want) to make sure that the community is looking at the University as a means for direction. So that the community can look at its health. That’s why we thought the triathlon would be a good mix.” Aside from promoting health and physical activity, the University hosted this event to raise money to support the TMC scholarship fund, hence the title of the event, Triathlon for Education. “Team McAllen established a scholarship fund with the University,” Padilla said. “It’s open to all disciplines and all classifications...it can be up to $500 and awarded to several students.” This year there were about 170 participants of all ages, one of the young-
the University for 12 miles. When they rounded back to the University, the participants then ran a total of two miles down the Bronc Trail. Along the area outside the Field House were booths serving water and fruit for the runners, such as bananas and citrus, to prevent cramps and injuries. Standing outside one of these booths near the finish line, gulping down a bottle of water, stood 15-year-
In the long run, this event was hosted to raise money for students and to bring the University closer to the community. But the athleticism is not to be underrated. It was a full-on triathlon. The participants began by swimming 400 yards, then ran to their bike stations and continued on a route around
old Hoyt Crouch. He finished his portion of the triathlon in about 47 minutes, though later he explained how he was disgruntled at a last-minute change in plans for the race. “I was supposed to do the full (triathlon),” the Mission native said. “I signed up for that one, but when I got to the front, they told me since I was 15 that
-Suzannah Swanson Trithalon participant
I like to go fast, my favorite part (of competing) is the swim, ‘cause (then) I’m not in my wheelchair. I’m free.
THE TRI PART
est was Suzanna Swanson. According to Padilla, their entry payments and the money from the sponsors keep the fund going. This year the amount raised was near $10,000. The team established the fund and agreed to contribute to the effort every year with funds raised during sporting events. In total, five scholarships a year are awarded.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS The triathlon also featured relays; groups of three would each partake in a section of the course and compete as a team. One such group was the Swanson family. Suzannah Swanson dreams of one day competing in the Paralympics. At UTPA, she rode out the race with her father and sister on a specially designed racing chair on loan from the Texas Paralympics Association.
I had to do the kid one, so I ended up biking six miles short.” The difference between the adult triathlon and the children’s version was the distance of the biking section of the race. The kids had to bike six miles while the adults went the full 12. Crouch, at his age, is a veteran of sorts when it comes to triathlons. He is a member of team Multisport Manic, a training team for experienced triathletes from all over the Rio Grande Valley. According to the group’s website, members of the team must complete at least one distance triathlon and train to compete in at least three per year. Crouch has done 16 in total. Despite his setback, Crouch achieved the top place for his division, taking home first for individuals.
NEXT YEAR According to USAtriathalon.org, U.S. triathlon participation is at a high, with 550,446 triathletes in 2012, as compared to between 100,000 and 130,000 in the period 1998-2000. The increase can be seen in the Valley, as the Triathlon for Education staff moves forward planning for next year’s run. “It is an introduction,” Padilla said. “This is what I have learned...the younger generations have this event so they can start to train so that later on they can become participants in bigger...and more extensive (triathlons), so this is a step towards that.”
“She grew up watching her dad do triathlons,” said Jackie Swanson, Suzannah’s mother. “This is actually her fourth triathlon. She’s done two where she does it all by herself. The swim and the run, and two where it’s a relay. But this is the first time using the racing wheelchair.” Suzannah was exhausted after the race, breathing heavily and resting her arms, but she smiled when explaining why she competes. “I like to go fast,” she said. “My favorite part (of competing) is the swim, ‘cause (then) I’m not in my wheelchair. I’m free.” The Swanson family ended up winning first place in its relay division.
UTPA hosted a triathalon Nov. 10 consisting of a 400-yard swim, six or 12 mile bike ride and a 2 mile run. The funds raised during the event go to a scolarship fund for UTPA students.
Suzanna Swanson was born with Spina Bifida; she cannot walk and uses a wheelchair to get around. But the 10-year-old spent Nov. 10 with her family, making her way around University on a hand-cycle during the Triathlon for Education. The triathlon started at the University’s pool at the UTPA Field House Indoor Pool. A line formed to the far left as the first of the contestants jumped into the water, one after the other in 15-second intervals. Each individual raced to finish their 400 yards and continued on to the rest of the day’s events. This is the second year the University sponsored the on-campus event. UTPA hosts the event because the money raised will benefit the Team McAllen Cycling scholarship fund. The fund can be awarded to students up to the amount of $500. The triathlon consisted of a two-mile run, a six or 12 mile bike ride and a 400- yard swim. The event was open to all, and some came from Houston. Both students and the community participated in the event. The Swanson Family was one such group. The father and his two daughters
Story by Kristela Garza Photos by Jon Nutt The Pan American
UTPA hosts second triathalon
Building the triathlete
6
arts & life
November 14, 2013
By May Ortega The Pan American At the age of 19, Yesenia Guerrero is a survivor of child abuse. Now, she uses her past as a platform issue for beauty pageants. Aside from crowns and sashes, the UTPA sophomore is also busy with her duties in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
UTPA student in pageants, ROTC
THE BEAUTY In the last two years, Guerrero has competed in about 15 pageants, and won the crown in 2013 as Miss La Joya. In addition to the title of her hometown, she has been crowned seven times since 2011. The 19-year-old won her highest and first national title, Miss Royal Dynasty American 2012, in Orlando. Guerrero has been participating in pageants since she was about a month old, but went on a hiatus at the age of 11 only to return a few years later. “Once I hit my awkward years, I didn’t want to do it anymore. I felt that I looked weird on stage, so I quit,” she explained. “When I was 16, the Miss La Joya Pageant came around and I decided to give it a shot because maybe I would feel good about myself. And when I won, I realized how much I missed pageants and it just went on from there.” When an individual competes in pageants, they must have an issue they advocate for. As a former victim of abuse, Guerrero chose child abuse and neglect prevention when she was 16. “I was abused as a child, then a teacher told me what child abuse was, so once I knew what it
was, I could speak up and tell somebody,” the biology major said. “So I told my mom and she put a stop to it. A lot of children don’t know what child abuse is. If it happens to them, they don’t know that they can go to someone and make it stop.” Because her reign as Miss La Joya 2013 will last for a year, she uses that time to help her platform by participating in events such as 5K runs and toy drives. She explained how she felt relieved to be able to help children who may be in the same situation as her, years before, and feels that if spreading the word gets one or 100 people to speak up, her goal has been reached. Guerrero admits that competing has its ups and downs, but enjoys every minute of the ride. “I love the excitement. I love the thrill of being on stage. Sometimes I feel like, ‘Why do I put myself through this? I’m freaking out. I’m stressed.’ But once I hit the stage, win or lose, it’s all worth it for that moment,” she said. At the end of the evening, Guerrero returns to her dorm to sleep before preparing for the other side of her life at the crack of dawn. THE STUDENT SOLDIER For two years, the beauty queen has been rolling her hiplength hair into a bun underneath an ROTC Cadet hat and wears her full uniform on campus as she goes about her day. “We’re all in training to become officers for the U.S. Army, so when we graduate, we’re commissioned to become second lieutenants,” she explained. “This is all to get the skills necessary to be a leader.”
Although she has planned to enlist in the U.S. Army for years, being a part of the University’s ROTC wasn’t originally in her sights. “I thought I was going to enlist, then come back to college after, but then I realized I was better fit to be an officer than to be enlisted,” she said. “So, once I got some information on it, I realized that’s what I wanted to do. I’ve had (the Army) in my mind since I was about 9.” When Guerrero was in elementary school, she won a Veterans Day essay contest. As a reward, the young student had the opportunity to have a webcam chat with General Ricardo Sanchez, a Rio Grande City native known Valley-wide for his service in the Army by leading all coalition ground forces in Iraq. “He said that when he was a kid, he was really bad at math and his teacher told him that he was stupid and that he would never amount to anything in his life,” she recalled of the meeting with the general. “So, he spent his whole life trying to prove her wrong, but my perception of that was, ‘If he’s bad at math and he’s in the Army, that means you don’t have to do math in the Army. I don’t like math, so I should be in the Army!” But there was more to Guerrero’s wish to enlist than her hatred of math. She said many of the men in her family served in the armed forces or in law enforcement. Another factor in her decision had to do with where women stand socially. “We’re always taught that (the armed forces) is not a woman’s place, that women are girly and they should go do cheerleading or go do pageants. ‘The Army
EVENTS CALENDAR Nov. 16
isn’t for you,’” she said. “But once I got to high school, I really started thinking about it and realized it was for me.” Although, there is more to Guerrero’s dream than meets the eye, her service in the U.S. Army won’t necessarily take place on the battlefield. THE BRONC As a biology major and kinesiology minor, Guerrero wants to eventually pursue medical school so she can be a part of the Army’s medical service and assist wounded soldiers. Her goal of being accepted into such a school is the reason she is a Bronc today, and plans to remain one until earning a degree in spring 2016. And like her involvement in ROTC, her time as a Bronc was not on the list of plans. “I was accepted into the University of Miami, but when I was crowned Miss Texas Royal Dynasty, I figured it would be a better idea to stay in Texas to represent the Texas crown,” she explained. “Then I ended up falling in love with the campus, and when I realized how high the acceptance rates into medical schools for Pan Am students are, I thought this was the best place for me to be.” According to the Biology Department, 57 percent of UTPA students who applied to medical schools in the last 10 years have been accepted, compared to the average statewide acceptance rate of 34 percent. Guerrero found UTPA to be a good choice. Ultimately, balancing pag-
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eants, ROTC and a degree has come to be the norm for Guerrero, and she said she enjoys having a full schedule. When it comes to the world of beauty and the world of battle, she said she has love for both. “I feel that it brings the best of both worlds, really. I can be a really girly girl, but at the same time I can be a little tomboyish,” she said. “I feel that it’s a very womanly and empowering thing to want to serve in the Army. Just because I like to wear makeup, doesn’t mean I don’t want to serve. It doesn’t mean I can’t be tough.”
Nov. 17
Nov. 14
Nov. 16
OME Movember Mustache Mixer
India Diwali Fest
Mujeres Unidas 35th Anniversary Celebration
10th Annual Pan De Campo
26th Annual Classic Car Fest
Feast of Sharing
Third annual mixer promoting No-Shave Movember with a beard and mustache contest, live DJs and more.
The India Association of the RGV celebrates this holiday with traditional music and dance.
This food and wine tasting benefits the nonprofit’s work, helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The annual fundraising event and auction returns with live music, food, dancing horses, a mechanical bull and more.
Bring a non-perishable food item to get entry to this car show, organized by the Antique Automobile Club of America - RGV Chapter.
H-E-B’s annual holiday event returns where volunteers help feed less fortunate members of the community.
Time: 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. Time: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Place: Roosevelt’s at Place: Edinburg City 7, McAllen Auditorium
Nov. 16
Time: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Time: 8 p.m. - Midnight Place: Quinta Mazatlan, Place: Weslaco Museum McAllen
Time: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Place: McAllen Convention Place: McAllen Convention Center Center
sports
November 14, 2013
Basketball season starts By Marco Torres The Pan American Squeaks of athletic shoes hitting the hardwood floor along with a basketball bouncing mean that basketball season has started. A few games into the National Collegiate Athletic Association season, the Broncs are starting to take the shape of the team they hope to be. MEN’S The Broncs opened the season with a thriller at home and were down 14 points with just over eight minutes remaining Nov. 8. The team rallied from behind to pull within one point in the final seconds before a missed opportunity led to a loss against Sam Houston State 77-73 in front of 1,257 home fans. Head Coach Dan Hipsher’s team was down 57-43 in the second half, senior Justin Leathers made a jumper, sophomore Shaquille Hines made a pair of free throws and junior Shaquille Boga nailed a jumper to bring the Broncs within eight points. The Broncs outscored the Bearkats 22-15 to pull within one at 7271. With six seconds left, Bearkat Jabari Peters went back to the free throw line and after making the first shot then missed the second. But Kaheem Ransom came up with the offensive rebound and made two free throws with less than two seconds left to put the game away. Four Broncs were able to reach double figures in points in their first game, led by Boga, who scored a career-high 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Leathers scored 12 points and had six rebounds in the opener. Hines tied his career high, scoring 10 points with a career-high seven rebounds. According to Hipsher, making intelligent decisions, transition defense and team rebounding needs to improve for better results than the close losses that they have endured so far this season. In the Broncs’ second game, they faced the University of Houston, which came to the Rio Grand Valley for the first time since December 1987. UTPA battled from a 12-point hole late in the first half and took the lead, but the Cougars closed the game on an 18-6 run over the final nine minutes to win 77-65 Nov. 11. “It’s about what we did right to be that close and, more importantly, what poor decisions we made to not finalize the win,” Hipsher said.
The Cougars led 40-28 with 3:03 remaining in the first half on a Brandon Morris layup. The lead was still at 11 with 12 seconds left after a pair of Danuel House free throws, but junior Christian Hildebrant of UTPA made a three from long range just before time expired in the first half. Both teams traded baskets in the beginning of the second half, right before the Cougars went on a run to give them the lead toward the end of game. Down 7161 with six minutes left, Jherrod Stiggers hit a three and L.J. Rose made three free throws as the Cougars scored the final six points of the game. Javorn Farrell led the Broncs in game two with 16 points. Boga scored 15 points with three assists. Leathers also reached double-figures, scoring 10 points while tying for the team high of seven rebounds. The Broncs completed their three-game home stand with a 94-62 victory Nov. 13, as they hosted Huston-Tillotson University. Although the team is still trying to identify the leaders of the group, Hipsher has high hopes for the season. “The goal of the season is to perform at our highest capacity consistently, and of course win the WAC,” Hipsher said. WOMEN’S The Bronc women opened the 2013-14 season with an 87-46 victory over the Schreiner University Mountaineers Nov. 8 at the UTPA Field House in front of a crowd of 918. Freshman Shawnte Goff led the club with 18 points while juniors Jasmine Thompson and Tonisha Walker scored 12 points each. In total, 13 of the 15 Broncs who played hit the scoring column. Junior Brittany Bush led the Broncs with 11 rebounds (seven offensive) and three blocks. The Broncs out-rebounded the Mountaineers 61-35, including 33-16 on the offensive side. Goff scored 10 points on two three-pointers, a jumper and a pair of free throws to help the Broncs leap to a 20-8 lead over the first 11:13. The Mountaineers responded with a 10-1 run over the next 2:16, hitting all three of their shots and going 4 for 7 from the free throw line. Walker then hit a pair of
threes and a jumper to propel the Broncs on a 29-5 run from the 6:06 mark of the first half to the 16:11 mark of the second half, giving UTPA a 50-23 lead. From there, the Broncs cruised to victory in the home and season opener. “We still have a lot of hard work ahead of us if we want to compete for a Western Athletic Conference Championship,” new coach Larry Tidwell said. “Execution, communication and hard-nosed defensive play have to improve immediately.” In the Broncs’ second game, they fell to the Texas Tech University Red Raiders 70-48 Nov. 10 at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock. After the first two games, Tidwell believes his team needs to work on knocking down open shots, finishing at the rim better and having a tougher defensive mentality. Juniors Cherrell Price and Cha’zaye Wright led the Broncs, each scoring nine points versus Tech. Bush had eight points and a team-high seven rebounds. The Broncs led 5-2 in the opening two minutes on a threepointer by Price and free throws by Bush. After a back-and-forth stage, the Raiders scored nine straight points to go up 21-12. Free throws by Walker and a jumper by Wright got the Broncs within five points, but the Red Raiders then went on a 15-2 run over the closing five minutes of the first half to push the game out of reach for the Broncs. When asked about the level of competition ahead of him and his team for the season in the WAC, Tidwell said the conference would be a very balanced league from top to bottom. “We want to have the first ever winning season in UTPA women’s basketball history and play in the postseason. Improve our game each and every game,” coach Tidwell said. The Broncs, who have managed a .500 mark twice in program history, are back in action Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. when they host Texas Lutheran. Most people best remember college basketball in the month of March, but the season starts in November and it is where teams start to make their statements to their conference opponents. Teams either make the case that they are the ones to beat or they are a team that can get beat.
weekly updates m e n ’ s ba s k e t ba l l Lost home and season opener to Sam Houston State University Bearkats 77-73 Nov. 8 Lost to University of Houston Cougars 77-65 Nov. 11 at the Field House Won against Huston-Tillotson University 94-62 Nov. 13 at the Field House Next game is Nov. 15 against Tennessee Tech University in Corpus Christi
wo m e n ’ s ba s k e t ba l l Won home opener 87-46 against the Schreiner University Mountaineers Nov. 8 at the Field House
Fell to the Texas Tech University Red Raiders 70-48 Nov. 10 at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock Next game is Nov. 19 against Texas Lutheran University at the Field House at 7 p.m.
volleyball Swept Chicago State University Cougars this season with a 3-1 victory Nov. 7 at the Field House Fell to the University of Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos 3-1 Nov. 9 at the Field House
Next game is Nov. 15 against Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ
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November 14, 2013
Thanksgiving Lunch Menu Roast Turkey With Gravy Hickory Smoked Pit Ham Mashed Red Potatoes Green Bean Casserole Steamed Corn Cut Sweet Potatoes (Yams) Traditional Cornbread Stuffing
Bronc Dining Hall Wednesday November 20th, 2013 11:00a.m. - 2:00p.m.
Per Person
$8.22 *Price includes applicable sales tax*
12/4/13
12/4/13