2/15/18

INDEX:

2|CAMPUS

3|OPINION

4|SPORTS

Stereotype 101

5|ENTERTAINMENT

6|AD

See page 5

THESOUTHTEXAN.COM Thursday, February 15, 2018

Volume 92 Issue 15

It’s Black History Month, have you noticed?

African-American Heritage not highlighted at TAMUK Plaserae Johnson Sports Editor February is Black History Month. But to many students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), the university hardly acknowledges it as such, and there are not many events uplifting the importance of Black History. In fact, there is only one event for Black History Month planned on campus.

It is an issue because it

Photo by Plaserae Johnson

Rachel Samoye

has caused the purpose of the month, to look as if it is forgotten but students are hoping the university participates in acknowledging Black culture.

“I feel like we should be having more events, more [that] celebrates this month,” said Robert Downs, an Electrical Engineering major at TAMUK. African-Americans on campus feel neglected and campus activities don’t seem to lift that sentiment. “[International students] on our campus receive more events and it’s unfair. We are getting one event and it’s not even publicized. I did not know about it,” said MarcKenley Belony, a Criminology major at TAMUK. There was an African-American Read-in on Feb.13 at the Pavilion. The event featured readings from authors such as Web Dubois, Phyllis Wheatley and Langston Hughes.

Jenni Vinson, Lecturer of English, joined the National Council Teachers of English

by hosting the African-American Read-In. “It is what African-Americans have contributed to the fund of literature. We read African-American literature so we can honor our African American brothers and sisters who write just like us.

We have to keep serving the banquet and people will respond to it,” Vinson said.

Members of Student Activities state the reason behind the lack of events for African-Americans is because they’ve not been requested.

“Enough people have not came forth. They don’t respond to the opportunities we have tried to hold,” said Elizabeth Laurence, the International and Multicultural Event coordinator at TAMUK. “Thank you for voicing this concern. We’ve had volunteers in the past, [like] the African Students Association and the National Society of Black Engineers and they would wrap the tree with African flag-colored ribbons.

However, for the last three years, unfortunately, they

haven’t appeared,” Laurence continued.

Last year, there was a #BlackLivesMatter support session hosted at the Student Activities Engagement Center. It brought awareness to the struggles of Blacks in the United States and the traumatizing experience regarding police brutality.

Most universities and colleges such as Howard University, Texas State University and Sam Houston University, host more than one event recognizing African-American culture per year, especially during Black History Month.

“I transferred from Sam Houston last semester and they have so many organizations holding events on campus. Sam Houston was more serious about Black culture,’” Belony said.

TAMUK has the resources and capability to do the same as these other universities or colleges, and students are hoping an improvement is to come, students said.

“We hope that can change,” Laurence said.

Sid Blanks: Texas A&I’s story of integration A different kind of football in South Texas Dakota Roberts Editorial Editor In the late 1950s, in the small town of Del Rio, almost a decade before border facilities were placed in the area, you would have found a teenage Sid Blanks barreling down a football field, sacrificing stamina and safety for the sake of protecting his receiver. Having been tossed and tackled a hundred times on that dusty, thorn-riddled field, Sid stood again, ecstatic for the next play.

Memories of the hot sun and the endless games now fill the mind of the soon-tobe 78-year-old Sid Blanks; the memory unfazed. Unfazed enough to say, “We would play football but a different kind of football. The kind that you run and then you fall down on a rock, and, well, you ran again.”

Not many students would know now that Blanks played on our fields, wore the A&I uniforms or that he led the football team in rush-

ing for three separate years.

He even made it into the Javelina Hall of Fame the same year his son joined the football team. Blanks made numerous strides and records in his time here, but, today, let’s honor just one.

Blanks was the first African American to play in South Texas and for the Lone Star Conference. But, like the rocky injuries and the prickly thorns of the past, pushing forward was a struggle. This was especially true for the times, when even A&I alumni threatened the school over integration. One alumnus letter from Dallas about the integration resolution read, “It is regrettable that you and your Board cannot see that the current desegregation mania is of communist origin and designed to appease communism and certain organized minorities who seek to destroy us.” The letter appears in the book “Texas A&M University-Kingsville” written by Cecilia and Leslie Hunter.

Luckily, Blanks found a

sense of community here at the university. Speaking mostly Spanish when he arrived on campus in 1960, having been recruited by Coach Gil Steinke to be the

See Blanks on Page 2

Sid Blanks in the Houston Oilers uniform

Courtesy photo by nasljerseys.com

Film screens struggle for justice

Coming forward about sexual assault had its rough beginnings Camila Peña Contributor writer One of every six women will be raped in their lifetime.

Look around you - it could be your mother, your sister, even your daughter. Will you stand up for those who have been stabbed with the sword of lament or sit quietly until it happens again?

In an effort to bring awareness to sexual assault, the Javelina Student Engagement Center held a movie night last Monday, Feb. 6, featuring the film The Uncondemned.

The documentary shines

light on the precedent case that marked a starting point for justice for other rape cases in Rwanda. It is a documentary that describes the journey of many individuals who fought to prosecute rape as a war crime in Rwanda. The film explores topics such as sexual assault, disappearances, government cover-ups, limited forms of expression and much more. A trial took place in 1997, during which a group of attorneys made it their mission to prove Jean Paul Akayesu, the major of Taba, guilty of rape.

This first conviction was definitely not an easy case to

Witnesses of the rape case.

Photo by The Uncondemned, sent by Elizabeth Laurence

win. Throughout the film, the attorneys describe the hardships they went through, going against a broken justice system in a different country, miles away from their home-

towns. One of the witnesses also describes how speaking

See #Metoo on Page 2

2

Campus

THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 15, 2018

Bringing KTAI-FM ‘The One’ Back to the SUB

Future plans to play local student-run radio station at the Student Union Building Dylan Mendoza Contributing Writer

For the past couple of years, there has been an absence in the Dining Hall of the Student Union Building (SUB).

Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s (TAMUK) radio station provided entertainment to the students before being removed for logistical reasons.

Students and staff of TAMUK are working together to bring back their own radio station to the SUB. KTAI-FM 91.1 “The One,” is not only a local radio station for Kingsville, but it’s the only one in the Coastal

Bend Area to be entirely student-run.

Kingsville’s own non-commercial station teaches students how to successfully run all aspects of radio by broadcasting a variety of music 24/7, running talk shows and showcasing the Javelina athletes’ games.

Director of Auxiliary Services Crispin Trevino explained why the station was no longer being aired at the SUB Dinning Hall.

“The Game Room…was located where we created the Javelina Enrollment Services Center. The Game Room’s current location was a Dining Hall.

“So, when we blended the Game Room into that location, we only enhanced the

Blanks continued from Page 1

team’s new halfback, Blanks found camaraderie with other Spanish with other Spanish speakers that would practice football outside the stadium.

Steinke also was a person to turn to in times of crisis.

“I am sure there could have been many negative repercussions during my first few weeks; and, maybe there were repercussions. But if there were any,” Blanks added, “I feel Coach Steinke curtailed anything that would have been detrimental to me.”

However even with his team and his coach on his side, the reality of the times was difficult, even from the

school’s administration. The A&I Board of Regents at the time did not permit Blanks to stay in the athletic dorm, actually moving him to a house off campus.

Other towns weren’t exactly welcoming either, but nothing the team couldn’t handle together. While traveling to Commerce for a game, a young Blanks would have passed the former billboard outside the town that read, “Welcome to Commerce, Texas—The Blackest Land and the Whitest People.” Arriving in town, Blanks learned exactly what that meant when he was turned away from the hotel by the manager.

TV displays with some of the old Game Room inventory,” Trevino explained.

“Based on the student usage at the time, we decided not to install a sound system in the new location. Noise factors and construction time was also an issue.”

There is hope for the radio station to reach a larger audience within the Javelina community.

“I believe the sound system would be a viable improvement for the game room and retail operation area,” Trevino said. “I will obtain pricing for a sound system in the near future.”

A time frame for installation will be updated as the project will be worked into their budget.

Blanks recalled Steinke grabbing the keys and exclaiming to the man, “If we all can’t stay here, then we all leave.”

Blanks stayed in the bridal suite with his teammates that night.

Blanks would go on to play professionally for the Houston Oilers, but he never forgot his A&I roots and the people that got him there.

Undeterred by the world, while accepting his award for Distinguished Alumni, Blanks began his speech.

“I learned a lot from going to A&I and there was some things that were said on my being Black. I didn’t understand that because I thought I was just a human being,” he said.

Dr. Terisa C. Riley, senior vice president for Student Affairs and University Administration, was also involved in the decision of removal, but is supportive of bringing the sound system back.

“I know at the time it did make perfect sense to eliminate that, but I love the idea of promoting our radio station on campus,” Riley said.

Some students were not aware the radio station used to broadcast at the Student Union Building, while others didn’t know there was a radio station at all.

Nickolas Villarreal, a senior finishing his studies in business, is an advocate for listening to the radio station in the MSUB’s student dining area.

Courtesy photo

KTAI Radio Broadcasting Headquarters in Manning

“I hope they bring it back so I can enjoy my lunch breaks more with my friends,” Villarreal said.

Etta Enow uses the station as a platform as she hosts a

#MeToo continued from Page 1 up resulted in her husband’s death. He was killed after being threatened on multiple occasions.

The #Metoo movement has been a positive way in which celebrities have used their platform to speak up about sexual assault. Considering recent allegations against Harvey Weinstein and Larry Nassar, many women have shared their stories about being sexually assaulted.

This is very similar to the women in the film who had to set aside the fear of being judged, and in worst cases, assassinated for speaking up.

“The film shows support all over, as far as like the #Metoo movement; it is important to speak out and speak up,” said Monica Hysquierdo, a business major.

One would think that

since rape is one of the most cruel acts of violence, it would be prosecuted as such.

But, that was not the case.

In fact, rape had been pronounced a war crime since March 29, 1919, in Rwanda, but was never prosecuted as such. It was placed on the category of small crimes along with “stealing a bag of beans or robbing a store.”

“In a time where women are finding their voice more and more, to see this film where women who were illiterate and from a peasant community were the ones to come and testify, that is definitely a good example and a great starting point. It is important for everyone to realize you must have a voice,” said International and Multicultural Event Coordinator Elizabeth Laurence.

The film stirred the emo-

pop culture talk show ‘The Tea’ on KTAI-FM. She hopes for the return of it as it will “…show more community here at TAMUK,” Enow said. tions of its audience, as was the case for Ariel Hernandez, a double major in Psychology and History.

“It was an emotional and strong film, it has a lot of information that I didn’t even know and more people should have been aware of,” Hernandez said.

The JSEC will be showing this film again in March for those who wish to see it and learn a more about how a case in Rwanda impacted the whole world.

Like Witness JJ said in the film, “keeping quiet kills you slowly.” If you or anyone has experienced a sexual assault speak up. TAMUK’s Office of Compliance is open to you in Lewis Hall if you wish to file a complaint or seek help.

You can contact the Director of Compliance at (361) 593-4758 or you can report an incident to the Kingsville Police Department.

Physical Educator is Recognized for Going ‘Above and Beyond’

Killion selected for two prestigious awards over other TAMUK and A&M System professors Aaron Monreal Sports Reporter Lorraine Killion’s passion for teaching has not only been recognized by Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK), but now, by other educational programs in the state of Texas.

Killion received two awards, recognizing her long and hard work at TAMUK. The first award honored her as the College/University Physical Educator Teacher of the Year by the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD).

The second award was The Chancellor’s Excellence in Teaching, which is not only awarded to professors at TAMUK, but from the entire A&M University System.

With the excitement from the awards Killion felt highly

rewarded for achieving such great accomplishments.

“I was shocked, it’s so competitive,” Killion said.

“It’s like getting most valuable player in a football league,” she added. “It was a very exciting day for me.”

Killion traveled to Austin to accept the award.

Breanne Flores, a coworker of Killion, believes that the awards Killion received were well deserved.

“Dr. Killion goes above and beyond,” Flores said.

After graduation, students may struggle to find work, but “Killion is a continued resource for them, she is there for them,” Flores said.

Ashley Alonso, a freshman in the Early Childhood to 12 program (EC-12 Program) at TAMUK, speaks highly of Killion.

Killion is the coordinator of the EC-12 program. The program is aimed to assist students who want to teach

physical education or coach.

Alonso is happy to work with a professor earning such prestigious awards. “[It’s] great for me, makes me feel I am in great hands,” Alonso said.

Killion felt the awards do not just promote herself, but the entire program and university. “[These awards] bring recognition to TAMUK and the department,” she said.

Killion has exceeded in her field of teaching and still strives to continue.

What continues to drive her? The “students,” she said. Killion teaches her students everything she knows so they too can achieve success and all their hopes. “[I hope] that one day my students will sit here in this chair and will have taken my place and even done more than I did. That would be very rewarding to me,” Killion said.

crime crime on on campus campus DATE REPORTED

DATE OCCURRED

LOCATION

02/06/18

02/06/18

Lucio Hall

Possession of Transported Controlled to KSO Jail Substance

02/06/18

02/06/18

Lucio Hall

Possession of Marijuana

Transported to KSO Jail

02/11/18

02/11/18

W Sage RD

Illegal Dumping

Closed

02/11/18

N/A

Lot J

Criminal Mischief

Closed

CRIME

DISPOSITION

Opinion

3

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018

The Power of Looking Charitable Dakota Roberts Editorial Editor

There isn’t much room for humility within the world of advertising. The design of an ad is conceived to absolutely entice—every absurd mascot, every stylized burger shot, every celebrity cameo, is, in essence, designed to convince you that this product, and it’s contributing company, is not just the best product on the shelf but also the most inherently trustworthy.

Look at something like a car insurance company or your own phone network; you will never find more cutthroat advertising campaigns anywhere else. Sprint graciously tells the consumer, “You will never be dropped and look at this glorious price,” but not without immediately following up with something like, “however, don’t go to T-Mobile, not only will you get dropped calls, they secretly hate you.”

I am exaggerating here but these kinds of companies

have thrown more shade at each other than two former best friends that can’t stand the sight of the other.

In the midst of the competitive, all encapsulating, hyperbolized era of the advertisement a new, certainly more awkward, tactic has arisen: the activism ad.

Let’s preface the rest of this article by saying giving charitable donations or giving support to a cause is not wrong, even if there is a slight alternative motivation beneath the surface. However, when a message or a cause is undermined, or when the act of charity becomes quantified into a pseudo currency, I think something has gone amiss.

A really good example is found within this year’s Super Bowl. Alongside the televising of Tom Brady’s brilliant strategy of coating his hands in butter, companies played ads; spending tooth and dime on the most expensive broadcasting space of the year, a whopping $5 million for 30 seconds, according to NBC.

A number of ads played up on this new theme of giving back. One of which was really trying its best to be controversial, the newest Dodge Ram. Open commercial, blackness fills the screen until a name and a date appear.

“Martin Luther King, Jr. February 4, 1968.” As the words appear the man himself exclaims his way out of the darkness, a sweet soliloquy echoing the famous sermon, “If you want to be important — wonderful. If you want to be recognized — wonderful. If you want to be great — wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” A man passing out food to the hungry, a firefighter pulling a young boy out of the raging inferno, young children cleaning debris from the ravenous storm that destroyed their home, a soldier returning from foreign lands back into the loving arms of his family, a quick shot of a truck.

Wait, was that a… Nevermind that, King is gaining in volume, the spirit rises as

the music begins reaching a crescendo. A man fights the tossing sea, a sister dresses her young sibling, a soldier begins barreling towards a helicopter, another shot of a truck. “You don’t have to know the theory of relativity to serve! You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve!! You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.” Bam, out of the fog, hinging off of King’s final inspiring words comes a brand-new Dodge Ram. Oh, yeah…. this is a car commercial.

There is an absurdity here, one that goes deeper then someone juxtaposing the words of one of the greatest orators ever to the engine of a truck. These words actually come from King’s sermon called “The Drum-Major Instincts.” The words are inspiring, I’ll give Dodge that, but of course they are.

As are these familiar images of human struggle and heroism, but anyone can hit the emotional stride if you hit the

horse hard enough.

Dodge is being a little tone deaf as well, excluding the part of this sermon where King is actually talking about the dangers of dishonest ads and consumer capitalism.

“Now the presence of this instinct explains why we are so often taken by advertisers,” King said in his sermon.

“You know, those gentlemen of massive verbal persuasion. And they have a way of saying things to you that kind of gets you into buying.

In order to be a man of distinction, you must drink this whiskey. In order to make your neighbors envious, you must drive this type of car.

In order to be lovely, to love, you must wear this kind of lipstick or this kind of perfume. And you know, before you know it, you’re just buying that stuff.”

Dodge isn’t really the problem here, or at least not the only problem. But this need to break into a ground of morality is actually mucking up the waters. Pepsi did it not long ago with its police

wall ad and Pepsi also broke into the realm of music rights when during the halftime show they projected Prince to sing with Justin Timberlake. Something Prince has documented being against in a Guitar’s World interview, “If I was to sing with the Duke Ellington, I would have been born in his time.”

Budweiser premiered a new commercial as well, touting their donations of water to areas of distress.

Then spending upwards of $5 million to pat themselves on the backs. Then immediately Braxton Brewery tweets about its own relief water, bragging that they weren’t braggadocious about the effort; meanwhile, they post how many gallons they have donated.

When everything is for sale, when everything that is supposed to have meaning becomes a persuasive ploy, when you quantify generosity for the sake of selling, then we don’t practice the message, just send it door to door with a price tag.

When the Earth Shook TWITTER POLL QUESTION Joshua Lin Reporter

Last Tuesday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 struck the island nation of Taiwan. More than 200 people were injured and at least 12 were found dead, of which, two were Canadian.

Several buildings were damaged, with more than 35,100 households without water and 200 without electricity.

The hash tag on Twitter that arose when it happened is #prayfortaiwan. Many users on Twitter are talking about it and hoping for the best in an awful situation. In reality though, here in the United States, many of us were not

really informed about the earthquake. When I did find out what happened, I was shocked, to say the least. As a person of Taiwanese decent, it rattled me and I started looking for information.

I was in class when I found the news, and I couldn’t pay attention to class anymore because of it. I found myself worried as I saw the pictures and the information that followed suit. It bothers me that it wasn’t really spread across the news networks; the 2018 Winter Olympics overshadowed the disaster.

Some people may say, “Why should we care” and to that I would like to refute that question, but at the end of the day, it’s just another

disaster and we’ll eventually move on from it. It’s a testament to what changed in society. School shootings don’t even get mentioned as much anymore.

Three hurricanes came through and destroyed a couple of counties across two states. A huge forest fire blazed in California. The frequency of these sorts of events seems to have desensitized many Americans.

There is nothing we can do to prevent natural disasters, but we can recover and we can rebuild like everyone else has done in the past.

When disaster strikes, we just look at it, say it’s awful, and then move on to the next one.

Corrections:

Volume 92, Issue 14: The Rumplestilskin director is Laurie Guajardo, not Dylan Mendoza. Mendoza is a member of the cast.

The South Texan The South Texan is a student publication produced by Texas A&M UniversityKingsville students. The views, opinions and commentary do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas A&M University system.

The South Texan uses student fees in part to publish.

The South Texan is part of the Art, Communications, and Theatre Department (ACT), The Javelina Broadcast Network (JBN), and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA).

Staff:

Crystal Zamarron - Editor-in-Chief Darcy Ramirez - Managing Editor America Quintero - Campus Editor Dakota Roberts - Editorial Editor Plaserae Johnson - Sports Editor Robert “Bobby” Puentes - Circulation Manager Josue Villarreal - Reporter C.R. Neal - Reporter Hector Andres Landin - Reporter Joshua Lin - Reporter Iliana Flores - Reporter Graham Castor - Reporter Nicole Morris - Adviser Dr. Manuel Flores - Content Supervisor

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First Amendment Right Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.

Do you believe that award shows, such as the Oscars, the Grammys, the Emmys, the Country Music Awards, etc, are important in today’s times?

This Week’s Poll: Do you feel like the hanging doll in the Tunnel of Oppression, displayed in the South Hall of the SUB, was offensive?

Talking on Mental Health Learning to be Positive in such Negative Times C.R. Neal Reporter Mental health is something we need to have an honest discussion about, but often choose not to. It’s uncomfortable and involves sharing secrets about yourself you’ve been trained to hide. In the words of the Disney princess Elsa, “Conceal, don’t feel.”

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), one in six adults in the United States lives with a mental illness.

In recent years we have made tremendous strides to drive the conversation, but depression is something we know so little about that we have a hard time finding where to start.

And that’s the problem.

While we struggle to wrap our heads around this complex issue millions of Americans fight their internal battles themselves, and a good portion of them do not have the time to wait for some magical solution.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), suicide is the second lead-

ing cause of death for people aged 15 to 34.

These numbers are absolutely horrifying, but not really surprising.

It’s hard to talk about suicide without mentioning some of the influential people who have taken their lives, from Chris Cornell of the band Soundgarden, to Robin Williams.

Some have even been open about their battle with depression.

“I’ve always liked depressing music because a lot of times, listening to it when you’re down can actually make you feel less depressed,” Cornell said. “Also, even though a person may have problems with depression, sometimes you can actually be kind of comfortable in that space because you know how to operate within it.”

While not inherently being a bad thing, complacency with depression can be a slippery slope that leads to suicidal thoughts.

People will argue that we have programs in place that address this issue, such as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, and they’re right. However, we cannot

pat ourselves on the back and call it a “job well done” when suicide is still one of the leading causes of death. That is like saying, “We opened a soup kitchen, so naturally the homeless will never be hungry again.”

The hard truth is that this issue is not that simple. By nature, people don’t open up to strangers, and that is one of the main obstacles in this conversation.

It’s easy to assign the job of helping people overcome their depression to a licensed therapist or a hotline, but we cannot deny the fact that it’s not working as well as it should to be called a solution.

So we have to ask what we, as individuals, can do to help.

I can tell you from experience that one of the best things you can do for that person is to simply be their friend, and when they feel comfortable enough with you they will talk. Only then can we understand what we can do to help.

If you suffer from depression like I do, even in a crowded room you can feel alone. I will tell you one piece of advice that has helped me.

It’s okay not to be okay.

4

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018

Sports

The Javelinas Lose ‘Pack The House’ Games The Javelina Basketball Teams Fall Short to the Tarleton State Texans

Victoria Lichtenberger Sports Reporter

Both the Men and Women’s Basketball games had the crowd on their toes during the “Pack the House” event this past Thursday, Feb. 8 in the Steinke Physical Education Center.

Fans came from surrounding areas to attend the games, along with students from the university community. Some fans in attendance were the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams from H.M King, Academy, Driscoll, Alice and Falfurrias high schools.

University sororities also appeared to support the Javelinas.

It was a “packed house” and the fans did not disappoint with their enthusiasm and noise.

The fans made the games memorable although the Javelinas fell short. ​The Lady Hogs competed in an intense game but fell short at the end, 6359, to the Tarleton State Lady Texans. One notable player was Senior Angelica Wilson, who stacked up 21 points for the Lady Hogs.

“We played hard, did all we could do, we just fell short,” Wilson said.

The men’s team was defeated in overtime despite Cris Boleware’s tying shot as the regulation buzzer sounded. The Javelinas were unable to overcome the Texans in overtime and fell 7872. Some notable players were Trey Sumpter, Caelan Neal and Robert Stevenson.

Starting in the first quarter, Sumpter and Neal gave the Hogs the lead by shooting three-pointers to stack up the points. Stevenson also made a comeback for the Hogs as

the game intensified. He made a jump-shot stacking up some points of his own.

Alex De Los Santos, a student majoring in political science at TAMUK, shared her feelings on the game.

“It was intense, then it got even more intense; it was just crazy the crowd was up in arms. It was a good game,” De Los Santos said.

The fans came to lift the players’ spirits by showing enthusiasm and enduring support.

Boleware commented on the atmosphere of Thursday night’s game.

“All of our games should be like this, thank you to the fans for coming out; we appreciate the love,” Boleware said.

The Javelinas will travel ​ to play against West Texas A&M University on Feb. 15 at the First United Bank Center in Canyon, Texas.

Top, Kyren Block defending the ball for the Javelinas Below, Antoinette Shrepee driving to the basket

Photos by Frankie Cardenas

Javelinas Heading to New Tournament in 2018 Season The Javelina Beach Volleyball Team Taking on New Opponents in 2018 Season Plaserae Johnson Sports Editor

The beach volleyball team at Texas A&M UniversityKingsville will be traveling somewhere different this season.

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA. org) announced a new tournament on its website called Small College Championship tournament.

There will only be seven Division II schools present because they have met the requirements, the Hogs being one of them. The tournament will be held April 7 and 8 in Tavares, Fla. The tournament is for a closed group of qualified teams. The team must be coached by an AVCA member in order to compete in the Small College Championship tournament. There will be an updated list of participants as the tournament approach-

Members of the Beach Volleyball Team posing at a game.

es. Currently, teams participating are Eckerd, Florida Southern, Huntingdon, Lincoln Memorial, Missouri

Baptist, Mt. San Antonio College, San Diego College, Southeastern, Spring Hill, Saint Leo, Stevenson, Texas

Photo by Kelvin Queliz

A&M Kingsville, University of Tampa, Warner, Webber.

“I believe we can win this AVCA title, possibly even

the Big NCAA beach volleyball national championship,” said Kylexus Block, a team member and Biomedical major.

The Lady Hogs are excited to go, as it will display their progress this season competing against new teams.

The tournament will bring a new champion out of all divisions and regions. The matches prior to the AVCA tournament will prepare the team for the competition.

“We have a lot of matches between now and then and I am working to keep the girls focused on those first,” said Head Coach Tanya Allen.

The team and coaching staff are excited for what the season holds. It will be fairly short compared to indoor, but more competitive because the Javelinas will take on DI opponents for the majority of their schedule. The team will face Arizona State University and Texas Christian University.

“I expect that the girls will

work hard and will compete for every point. I can guarantee that,” Allen said.

The team does not have a specific line-up for the tournament because it’s months away.

The line-up will be established later depending on the performances prior to the AVCA tournament.

“For myself, I know that putting in extra work and being intentional about practices will prepare me to play my best and same for my teammates. What we put in is what we get out and we have a really hard working group of girls,” said Gabby Atchley, a Special Education major and beach volleyball player at TAMUK. “We have a lot of talented kids and I expect the lineup to change throughout the season as each one improves,“Allen said.

The team travels Feb. 24 and 25 for the Texas Christian University Horned Frog Challenge.

35 Signed for 2018 Season Javelina Baseball welcomes Fails Football Signs Heavily From Houston Area Joshua Lin Sports Reporter On National Football Signing Day the Javelinas announced they had signed 35 student-athletes for the new football season.

Coach Daren Wilkinson announced last week about 20 of the 35 student-athletes are from the Houston area.

He had a large list of people to thank, adding that the university has helped him make recruiting “a first-class operation. I appreciate that,” Wilkinson said.

His philosophy on the matter was to leave a footprint in the Houston community, a mecca for football recruits.

“There are a lot of things that are great about this university and about this football program,” Wilkinson said.

He said the Javelinas went after the complete student-athlete; players who could succeed on the field

and in the classroom.

Dr. Manuel Flores, TAMUK Faculty Athletics Representative, said that it was encouraging to see an emphasis on academics.

“Essentially, you can’t play if you don’t pass,” he said.

Among the top signees was Koy Detmer, a quarterback transfer from Brigham Young University and a former player at Somerset High School.

Wilkinson also announced that Luis Lopez, a top running back from the 2016 season, would be eligible for the Javelinas in 2018.

On the list of the new athletes are: OL Jared Arellano from Klein HS; CB Trejan Glasco, De’Antoine Carter and WR Adam Tillmon; LB from Pearland HS; Heath Dunn from Poth HS; OL Brandon Smith form Ronald Reagan HS; Safety Matthew Banda from Dear Park HS; OL John Kennedy from Westfield HS; OL Evan Simonis and WR Jalen Hughes from O’Connor

HS; WR Jared Campbell from Earl Warren HS; QB Cameron Cauthen from Barbers Hill HS; WR Nicolas Milburn, DB Zach Henry, and DB Zion Davis from Texas City HS; OL Quynton Cole from Lufkin HS; WR Kelan Roberts from C.E. King HS; RB Evan Oglesby, DB Keshon Rowe, and TE Jacob Lighter all hailing from the power house Katy High School; Punter Karch Kaspar from West Columbia HS; QB Alec Gonzalez from Galena Park HS; DB Amos Coleman III from Alief HS; DE Jaelon Rudolph, LB Ismael Brown-Bryan, and DE Thomas Davis from North Shore Senior High; DB Ja’Darious White from Klein Oak HS; LB Adam Elliott from Splendora HS; DB Jacoby Shelton from Dawson HS; LB Kaylon Henley from Elsik HS; DL Daryl French from Sinton HS; DB Kei’dre Taylor from Sharpstown HS; LB Derrick Baily from Spring HS; RB Justin Stevenson from Taft HS; and OL Dennis Wilburn from Nimitz HS.

Transferred athlete hopes to be a help to the team Luis Garcia Sports Reporter They always say that if one wants to make it big in a sport, they have to start young. Having a talent to be athletic is something you don’t let go. One such talent is playing baseball.

Many players such as Jose Altuve Photo by Javelina started as kid Athletics and now are Hayden Fails playing Major League Baseball. This is a story about Texas A&M Kingsville outfielder Hayden Fails.

He stands 5 feet 11 inches and is from Sweeny, Texas.

He came to Kingsville as a transfer from the University of the Incarnate Word. Although he is a sophomore, he has very big goals he has set for himself and plans to help the team as much as he can.

“My expectations going

into this season is that I really want to be a team player no matter what my role is on the team. At any given point, I want to be able to do what I can to help the team succeed.

I’ve really been working hard throughout the season. I’m hoping that at any given situation the coach puts me in, I’m able to get the job done,” Fails said.

Fails has set high expectations for himself, and he doesn’t want to disappoint.

“I’ve always been up-todate with Javelina baseball, and it is always exciting to see Hayden up to bat. He has come a long way and has improved a lot since he first started with the team. I think he will have a great year,” said Madeline Kelley, a close friend of Hayden’s.

Of course, Hayden can’t do it all by himself. Baseball is a team sport. There needs to be support along with some good veteran leadership. Texas A&M Kingsville baseball seems to fit the description pretty well.

“The team is looking pretty good. Coach [Jason] Gonzales says we might just be

the most talented team this year. There is a lot of team chemistry not only on the field, but off the field. We really get along with each other, I’d say it’s a brotherhood.

One thing about this team is that we are a pack. We drive off each other and nobody gets left behind. When somebody goes down, there is always someone to pick him up,” Fails said.

A player like Fails who has this mentality and mindset about his team gets respect from his current teammates and former teammates.

“I’m glad I got to play with Hayden last year and be a part of the team. I really wish him good luck this year and I hope he excels. He just needs to stay motivated and keep grinding,” said former teammate Shane Veeder.

The Javelina Baseball team just swept Southwest Baptist University at home, after big wins at the Houston Invitational.

The alumni game is coming up on Saturday. Game time is 2 p.m. at Nolan Ryan Field. The Javelinas are currently 7-0.

Entertainment

Theater program Presents the classic tale, ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ Annual children’s production teaches young students the ‘magic of the theater’ Iliana Flores Reporter The classic fairy tale “Rumpelstiltskin” is one that has been passed down for generations. This year, Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s theater program continued this tradition by telling the ageold story “Rumpelstiltskin.”

The children’s production is an annual event arranged by the TAMUK theater department. This year’s play had its first showing to the public on Feb. 11. “It was really amazing…the characters were amazing they were just en-

Photo By Frankie Cardenas

Actors performing Rumpelstiltskin.

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ergetic [and] had the crowd involved which was really fun,” Hannah Alfred, a history major at TAMUK, said.

Every year, schools from across South Texas bring their students to view the annual children’s show. On Feb. 12 and Feb. 13, school children gathered in Jones Auditorium to enjoy the play. This year more than 3,000 area elementary students attended.

For Robert Trujillo, an English major who saw the opening show, “Rumpelstiltskin” was a reminder of when he saw a children’s production at TAMUK. “I like the concept of children’s shows because…I experienced this when I was a child, too. One of my elementary schools took me here for one of those children’s shows. So, it’s very nice to see that they’re doing shows and bringing theater to children and making them experience the concept of theatrics and art,” Trujillo said.

The director of “Rumpelstiltskin” was TAMUK student Laurie Guajardo.

This production was Guajardo’s first time stepping into the role of a director, but, this show was a fitting opportunity.

“I have children myself so to me my first one out there directing a children’s show was a natural fit because I know what entertains children and I know what doesn’t,” Guajardo said.

In doing this show, Guajardo wants children to have a good time and get a better understanding of theater.

“I hope that they get out of theater the appreciation and love for it that I got as a kid. And, I just really hope to bring the magic of theater to these kids,” Guajardo said.

Dylan Mendoza, a communications major who played the Miller in “Rumpelstiltskin,” said he hopes the play will be an opportunity for children to be introduced to classic tales.

“Some of these shows that we do nowadays kids don’t really know about them.

“But it’s always great to reintroduce stories like ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ to kids so that way if they weren’t familiar before they will be now.

“It’s always important to keep those [stories] in people’s lives from generation to generation,” Mendoza said.

The next TAMUK show will be the musical “American Idiot.”

Intimate Sit Down With African-American Read-In Students gather around to read works

by African-American writers, poets Josue Villarreal Reporter The cold weather was not enough to keep the passionate lovers of poetry and literature away from the Pavilion on Tuesday to participate in the African American Literature Read In, held every Black History Month at Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK).

Hosted by Lecturer of the Department of Language and Literature Jenni Vinson, there were books upon books of material by famous African-American authors such as Langston Hughes, Gwendalyn Brooks and Maya Angelou.

“It’s important that the university celebrates the diversity of the voices in literature,” Vinson said.

Students gathered around reading such poems as “Dreams” by Hughes, “Still I Rise” by Angelou, and much more in an effort to remind passersby of the diversity that has always existed in poetry and literature.

“You’re so used to seeing more Caucasian writers instead of more diversity,” said TAMUK student and Criminology major Diana Luna.

Diversity is key as people of many different races and cultures came around to read

Photo By Josue Villarreal

TAMUK students read African-American literature aloud

poems with messages that relate to the struggles of being an African-American, both past and present.

“The importance of this event to me is to raise awareness of Black culture during Black History Month and to promote poetry as an art,” said TAMUK student and

Computer Science major Elliot Taylor.

As the event wound down, there were still people hovering around the table trying to read a few more poems and passionately discuss what they mean to not just themselves, but the culture as a whole.

Stop Stereotyping Now Guest Speaker comedically educates students about the intersection of diversity in modern-day times Darcy Ramirez Managing Editor

Photo By Frankie Cardenas

Dylan Mendoza, Alex Guerra and Jackson Lewis performing in the play for the children audience.

The Dream-To Mr. Hughes

By Plaserae Johnson

“What happens to a dream deferred?”

It became life as I know, Mr. Hughes.

It flew and soared like a bird.

I came to tell you the news.

I’m a credible source.

You and I wear the same shoes.

At times, it was desiccated.

Dry, like Arizona desert sand.

But now it’s hydrated.

A dream blacks did demand.

It used to be a bubbling sore Or the pain of a deep wound.

But it is stiff, and hard as a floor.

It is bold, and fine-tuned.

Early 1900s blacks could only dream Of what we now can do.

I know in your time it’d never seem But I tell you it’s true.

The dream is candied.

I wish you could live now to see It doesn’t smell like rotten meat.

Oh, how I wish you could see.

Racism still boldly exists.

Some souls still hate us.

But our dreams weren’t dismissed They shine and don’t rust.

There is discrimination.

There is still prejudice.

But we have determination.

We hold up our black fists!

Mr. Hughes, it didn’t explode.

I’m saying it happened.

Mr. Hughes, it didn’t erode.

It’s the dream you imagined.

Have a Poem to Share? Send it to the South Texan at thesouthtexan@yahoo.com

“If you can laugh at it, then you can get through it,” is Karith Foster’s motto when it comes to coping with life and daily discrimination.

On Feb 12, Foster spoke at Texas A&M University-Kingsville as part of the University Lectureship Series. Foster presented personal stories, pictures and hilarious jokes to educate students in the understanding of the intersection of modern-day diversity.

Foster first asked the audience different stereotypical questions and invited the students to raise their hands if they have ever thought of these cliche observations.

Some students stayed unmoving, ashamed of their answers, but others owned up to their comments.

“She’s right. I do judge people by mere appearance and now I’ll probably rethink before I do that anymore,” said Vincent Torres, a chemistry major.

Foster also mentioned her educational background and showed pictures that humorously displayed how isolated she was in school as she was one of only 12 African-American students in a class of 1,200.

But she also remarked how most 15- and 16-year-old adolescents feel alone and isolated.

“I just couldn’t deal. She’s right about a lot of things.

Cause I did feel like that sometimes,” Cassandra Rendon, a history major laughed.

Foster then offered the au-

Photo By Frankie Cardenas

Foster speaks to TAMUK students in MSUB Ballrooms, Feb 12

dience a chance to join in by asking who in the audience has ever received a backhanded compliment. Various students shared their “compliments,” to Foster: “You’re pretty handsome for a Hispanic kid,” “You’re too pretty to be gay,” and even, “You’re not as aggressive as most Black guys.” Foster listened intently to each response and nodded with understanding and sympathy.

“We should be talking about inversity. Cause we still have to respect each other’s differences, right, but why don’t we focus on what we have in common? Why don’t we focus on being inclusive? Why don’t we focus on being introspective?

Understanding your value,

your worth, your connection to humanity,” Foster said.

Foster’s main goal is to get people to C.A.R.E referring to Conscious empathy, Active listening, Responsible reactions and Environmental awareness. She wants people to understand what they are saying and how it affects people.

Foster mentioned how she was in New York when 9/11 took place and saw humanity come together in a desperate time of need. But, she hopes people will listen and comprehend her message without a near-death experience or cataclysmic event happening.

Foster will continue traveling around the world spreading her message and creating laughter in her wake.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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