Thursday, October 6, 2016
southtexannews.com
Volume 91, Issue 6
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
The South Texan /TheSouthTexan
@TheSouthTexan
@TheSouthTexan
IT’ isn’t clowning around anymore
Two-day clown calls quits to focus on Harambe memes Crystal Zamarron Editor-in-Chief @crystalsotex
Courtesy photo
Clown spotted by student on Snapchat app
Individual clowning around the campus in a scary mask took becoming the “class clown” to the next level. Over the past few weeks, clown sightings have be increasing around the nation. Articles about clowns emerging from local forests and attempting to lure in children have gone viral. This scandal has reached Kingsville, Texas. Where a person in a clown mask is allegedly stalking the campus as the self proclaimed
TAMUKClown. TAMUK University Police Department is aware of this “social media hoax” according to their e-mail sent out on the morning of Oct. 4, by UPD Chief of Police Felipe Garza to all students, faculty and staff. UPD is conscious of the many reports that were found to be false or not supported claims by this trend. “We will remain vigilant and take precautions to keep the university safe,” Garza said. A person pretending to be a clown and terrorizig a city is nothing new. Accordingto our research it has happened
in multiple locations over the last 10 decades. From the usage of social media and inspiration from movies like Stephen King’s IT, the trend has gone viral, especially at this time of year. However, TAMUK college students aren’t laughing. “I think it’s stupid and causing unnecessary insecurities within our country. Why would people take the time to create twitter accounts, walk around in clown suits at night, and even risking their own lives just for some attention and satisfaction?” said Carlos Lopez, music education major.
On TAMUKClown’s Twitter page, one will see the post that other students have made towards TAMUKClown. @kdizz23 posted a video on how TAMUKClown did not show upone night where they said they’ll be. @ElenaRae taunted the clown by saying “I thought you were suppose to be a clown not a chicken.” TAMUKClown created a twitter poll on which dorm to target and in result Lucio Hall was voted the highest at 31% from 606 votes. “We should leave it up to
See Clown on Page 4
Phoyo by Alex Guerra
International Vocalist Faul spund checking before the performance in Jones Auditorium
International vocalist charms TAMUK Falguni ‘Falu’ Shah visits from New York to entertain students
Alex Guerra Reporter @alxgrr The hums of bass and violin enhanced the sweet melodic voice of Falguni “Falu” Shah as she and her musical ensemble ran through sound check in Jones Auditorium Tuesday evening. At the age of three, Falu’s mother and grandmother took notice of her ability to carry a tune before even being able to speak. Vigorously trained in Classical Indian music at the age of 19, Falu’s tenacity never faltered as she took on 16-hour sessions. Soon after, she ventured off to America where she was given the opportunity to collaborate with other musicians, such as Yo-Yo Ma and Philip Glass. Elizabeth Janzen, TAMUK Music professor worked with the international artist at Carnegie Hall in New York City. It was Janzen who suggested Falu’s name to the
committee that brings forth musical talent. She felt that the students would appreciate a culturally diverse vocalist. The free performance is Falu’s way of bringing culture to her audience as she interchanges Jaipur and Benares flair. “It is a part of culture, the music allows you to belong, not to be heard. You can grasp from it. Soul to soul, [music] is a universal language that is not defined or limited,” Shah stated. “I’m really interested in hearing her and I read that she performed at the White House State dinner and so I was really impressed with that… if someone got invited there, they must be phenomenal,” stated Paige De Vaudrecourt, student worker at TAMUK. Working with other artists shaped her perspective on life, as well as humbled Falu. Alongside Yo-Yo Ma, she stated that she was able to become a better human being. Seeing the beauty in
the way artists translated the beauty of their music into everyday life, Falu felt compelled to treat her audiences as her sole devotion every time she hits the stage. Her goal is to make spectators feel as though she is singing just for them. “My audience is my God, my soul…without them, there is nothing. I feel one with the audience. The notes give you the power to feel what I want you to feel without commenting. It’s heartfelt as the music is a vehicle for the notes as it channels power and emotion,” Falu affirmed. “I’ve heard her songs on SoundCloud before…she has a nice set of songs like Indian and classical music. She has a way of combining folk and classical music with Indian origin. The motive behind every song is very beautiful,” stated Sarah Vikas Jogavajjala, student at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Falu is proud of her growth and has since felt validated after she was named the am-
bassador of Indian music in 2006. She is stationed in New York, but performs nationwide. Falu even compared the American crowds to those of India. The audiences in the United States are very open and adventurous, in contrast to her native country where spectators have watched her evolve from a young child into an innova-
Falu performing on stage
INSIDE STORIES Recap of Suicide Prevention Week on Page 4
Fostering Student Services? See Page 4 to learn more
TAMUK students go to release of MacSelena See Page 2
Tortilla feature column on Page 3
The Student Government Assocation spoke to President Tallant about Financial Aid See Editorial column on Page 5
The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute were given millions See Page 4
tive performer. In the future, Falu hopes to one day perform with icons such as Paul McCartney, Madonna, or Aretha Franklin. On stage is where she feels the most natural and vibrant. Falu feels that whether she singing for a large crowd or an intimate group, one soul should feel as though she is entirely devoted to them.
Photo by Alex Guerra
‘Hey, your mic is on!’
Robert Breedlove Sports Reporter @Breedlovecam
The Athletics Department has suspended public address announcer Glen Scholz for inappropriate remarks said over a hot mic during last Saturday’s football game versus Angelo State in Javelina Stadium. The comment came in quietly, but was widely heard by the crowd through the Javelina Stadium speakers saying, “I need a [explicit] drink,” during the fourth quarter of a 22-21 Javelina loss. Disciplinary action was swift as Scholz was suspended for two weeks, according to a source. Scott Gines, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics & Campus Recreation, confirmed there would be “alternative announcers” for Javelina athletic events during the next two weeks but refused to comment further. “We do not make a practice of commenting on personnel matters… Protocol, attentiveness to detail, and professionalism are highly valued priorities within our media relations unit,”he said. As for who will replace Scholz for volleyball’s matchups versus West Texas A&M and UT Permian Basin, and for the Oct. 15s homecoming football game versus UTPB, Gines confirmed the games “will feature alternative announcers.” The slip-up came after Scholz called out fans over the PA system for “making [the school] look stupid” by throwing tortillas from the stands after a Javelina touchdown. This only antagonized the fans, who then hurled boos and even more tortillas into the air. The tradition of tossing tortillas from the stands after a Javelina touchdown has become a point of contention between spectators and the school administration since the practice was banned in 2010, but a revamped football team has brought the issue back into relevance. Scholz has repeatedly told the crowd to stop throwing tortillas throughout the season. The South Texan tried to reach out to Scholz but did not get a response by press time.
INDEX #JAVLIFE......................................2&3 CAMPUS NEWS.................................4 ED./OPINION...................................5 SPORTS............................................6 HOMECOMING................................7 ADS..................................................8