3/22/18

INDEX:

2|CAMPUS

3|OPINION

4|SPORTS

Javelinas Host Annual Cactus Cup

THESOUTHTEXAN.COM

Thursday, March 22, 2018

5|ENTERTAINMENT

6|AD

See page 4

Volume 92 Issue 19

‘That’s a Great Question’

Tallant, administrative officials address questions at roundtable Darcy Ramirez Managing Editor

Students have been heard.

Issues involving diversity, scholarships, study abroad, campus safety, and the campus were brought up at the President’s Roundtable on Wednesday, March 7.

The event was organized

by Tanishka Guduru, Student Government Senator and Student Government Chair of Academic Affairs.

Guduru wanted these issues addressed and hopes Presi-

dent Steven Tallant and other administrative officials will notice what is lacking at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Guduru’s first concern involved the concept of diversity and if the administration believes they are taking the necessary steps to foster diversity around campus.

As an international student, Guduru sees how international students are embraced at TAMUK, but hopes that more events and activities will be organized to support this campus.

Photo by Frankie Cardenas

Left to Right: Vice President of Enrollment Management Maureen Croft, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation Dr. Scott Gines, University President Steven Tallant, Vice President of the Student Government Association Ruben Martinez, and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. George Allen Rasmussen

“Diversity in itself isn’t good. You can have all the diversity you want on this campus, but unless you’re included [the] topic in America should be inclusion, not diversity. Inclusion is how I look at this campus. I want us diverse; I want us to represent all of America, but that doesn’t mean anything if not everyone becomes involved

A look back at Hurricane Harvey

in what we do here,” President Tallant said.

“I feel we are an incredibly diverse campus, and when I look at the last nine years on terms of inclusion, we’ve had homecoming queens that were international, we’ve had Miss TAMUKs that were international, we’ve had a president of the student body who was international, and

we have international students in our student government.

“So I think we are incredibly inclusive. I think we’re welcoming, and I think we have a wonderful university.

That doesn’t mean we can’t do better,” Tallant continued.

Administrators also mentioned how the campus does a lot for inclusion like spon-

soring the Indian band (Dhol Tasha), celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and Black Heritage Month, and constructing the new cricket field, but no further plans for promoting diversity are in development.

Roundtable continued on Page 5

Courtesy photo by music.msu.edu

TAMUK hosts a talk about Harvey data C.R. Neal Reporter

In the months following Hurricane Harvey experts have been treading through figurative mountains of data and literal mountains of debris. Warning Coordination Meteorologist John Metz from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Corpus Christi came to Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) to make sense of what they have learned.

The Department of Physics and Geosciences hosted a presentation by Metz called Hurricane Harvey’s Impact in the Coastal Bend – What Happened? at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6.

Assistant Professor of Geography at TAMUK Brent Hedquist Ph.D. coordinated the event.

Hedquist said he organized the event because he was fascinated by Metz’s data and hoped students interested in this field could take advantage of this opportunity.

On August 25 and 26, 2017

Harvey slammed the Texas Gulf Coast with little warning. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) released the news only four days earlier on Aug. 21 that it would even hit Texas, but it wasn’t until the day before they began to realize how powerful Harvey could be.

What they were observing is what is known as rapid intensification.

Rapid intensification is aptly named as it explains the causes of how storms like Harvey can transform from a tropical storm into a Category Four hurricane in just 32 hours.

There are three main causes of rapid intensification: low atmospheric wind shear, deep warm water and deep tropical moisture.

According to NHC memo from August 24, 2017, “With Harvey now strengthening at a faster rate than indicated in previous advisories, the intensity forecast has become quite concerning.”

Metz issued a warning against taking hurricane path predictions as exact.

“You don’t want to pay attention to the black line

indicating the exact path the NHC predicts the hurricane will take, because we’re really not that good,” Metz said. “In the case of [Harvey], however, it was a perfect forecast.”

Forecasts serve many purposes, but they cannot prevent the weather from wreaking havoc.

In the Coastal Bend alone approximately 15,000 structures received major damage, or were completely destroyed. This resulted in damages totaling $4.5 billion.

An estimated three million cubic yards of debris has been collected, and workers are only halfway through.

Restoring power after a natural disaster has historically been an arduous endeavor, but American Electric Power (AEP) came more than prepared. “[AEP] got 96 percent of the power back in 14 days,” Metz said.

After Harvey AEP had 712 miles of power lines to replace, 5,700 power poles to

Harvey continued on Page 2

The weather condition when Hurricane Harvey hit TAMUK in August 2017

Photo by Pablo Villanueva

TAMUK Hosts 51st Annual Jazz Festival

Grammy Award Winning trombonist Michael Dease will join TAMUK’s top jazz band C.R. Neal Reporter The 51st Annual Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK) Jazz Festival kicks off at 3:15 p.m. Friday, March 23, and keeps going until the final concert featuring Grammy winning trombonist Michael Dease at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 24.

Director of the top jazz band at TAMUK and Chair of the Music Department Paul Hageman organized the festival.

“We like to think of our festival as educational,” Hageman said. “We want students to have the opportunity to play for each other, to play for a panel of judges.

That’s the main reason for our festival is to help grow interest and a viable jazz program in South Texas.

“This is our 51st year for the festival,” Hageman continued. “When I started here

it was our 16th festival and we had 12 bands. We are up to 34 this year.”

There is one thing Hageman wishes was different, and the university is building to rectify it.

“If we had more venues we would have even more bands here,” Hageman said.

“So we’re excited about the new music building for that reason.”

Most of the bands performing at the festival are high school bands.

“We are giving them [high school students] the opportunity, first and foremost, to perform,” Hageman said.

Not only will the high school students perform and get constructive feedback from the judges, they will also be competing for various awards.

“You’ll hear swing, rock, funk, Latin, ballads, and everything in-between,” Hageman said.

According to a press

release by Dease’s record company, Posi-Tone, Dease received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School as part of the first class of jazz students to attend.

Dease is not only an accomplished performer he also arranges and composes music. “[Dease] is playing with us Saturday night. In that concert we will be playing four of his original compositions,” Hageman said.

According to an article from Daily Advance, “When Michael Dease plays the blues, his trombone sounds like a human voice. A superhuman voice, that is.”

The concert Saturday night is the only event with an admission fee. Admission for the concert is $5 for students and $7 for the general public. Tickets are available at the door or by calling the TAMUK Music Department Office at (361)-593-2803.

2

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

Campus

Javelina Women ‘Rise by Lifting Others’ Health and Wellness Center prepares for 7th Annual Women’s Retreat

Josue Villarreal Reporter

The Health and Wellness center is holding its annual Women’s Retreat on March 27 in Ballroom A in the Student Union Building.

A student-only event, the Women’s Retreat has been held yearly since 2011.

It’s an educational event composed of guest speakers speaking about ways to improve health and be safer within the environment that you live.

“This is an event where students can gather to get information to improve their health,” said Director of Health and Wellness Jo Elda

Castillo-Alaniz.

The theme this year is “We rise by lifting others,” which is a quote pulled from American Lawyer, Civil War veteran, and author of many books Robert Ingersoll.

It’s meant to encourage women to empower each other and be proud in each other’s accomplishments in order to empower yourself.

“In order for you to rise, you have to be there to help others,” Alaniz said when describing why students picked this quote.

The event will feature make-up tutorials, nutritional education, sexual health information and even massage chairs.

Also, a myriad of guest

speakers will be featured, such as Assistant Director of Counseling Services Renee Weiss to speak on mental health, and Department Chair and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Counseling Dr. Steve Bain to speak on healthy relationships.

The keynote speaker will be Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and University Administration Dr. Terisa Riley.

“She has been an amazing woman that has impacted many of the students on campus,” Wellness Assistant and one of the organizers of the event Melissa Ramirez praised.

Ramirez has been plan-

Harvey continued from Page 1

replace and 220,000 homes without power.

Despite daunting and demoralizing circumstances, AEP workers were shown respect and gratefulness from the local residents that lifted their spirits. “[AEP] were struggling to get the work done because the citizens were bringing so much food and refreshment and said this was the most hospitable disaster they have ever responded to,” Metz said. “That’s Texas for you.”

The good news did not stop there.

“The miracle of the entire event, was that there were no direct fatalities,” Metz said.

“In all the homes that were searched no bodies were found.”

Metz exhibited frustration concerning the people who stayed behind, even after being warned several times by several different entities to leave.

“Those that stayed severely underestimated the power

of a hurricane. They thought it was just a run-of-the-mill thunderstorm, it was going to come and go, and life’s not going to change,” Metz said.

“Many folks that I’ve talked to that stayed said they will never in their life, ever, stay for another hurricane again.”

Metz accredited the lack of preparation to complacency resulting from a 50-year gap between major hurricanes in the area.

Renee Weiss

ning this event annually for three years now and is always excited to plan this event again for another year.

“Every year, the girls do something different, some-

Photos courtesy of the TAMUK website

Steve Bain

thing new,” Ramirez said.

Many students are excited and ready for another event full of fun, laughter, making friends, and learning all kinds of new information.

Terisa Riley

“This will be my first time attending and I’m excited to see what will be shown and what activities we will be doing,” said Biology major Karolina Galvan.

TAMUK Hosts the First R.A.D Course of 2018 Women’s self-defense course promotes April’s National Sexual Assault Awareness Month

America Quintero Campus Editor According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network statistics, 23.1 percent of undergraduate female students are victims of sexual assault.

With almost one-in-four female college students being a victim of sexual assault, colleges nationwide are preparing for National Sexual Assault Awareness Month held in April.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) is already promoting Sexual Assault Awareness by hosting Rape Aggression Defense Training (R.A.D) courses.

R.A.D is the leading program for women’s self-defense and is taught in more than 250 colleges.

The TAMUK University Police Department and the Office of Compliance are sponsoring R.A.D and encourage female students to register for the program.

The R.A.D. course is minimally 9 hours long but will be broken up into two sessions, each lasting four-andone-half hours, on March 24 and April 7.

The courses will be led by TAMUK Police Officer Ida Flores.

Flores is one of two TAMUK officers certified to teach R.A.D courses, the other being officer Michael Gray.

Flores will teach attending students basic self-defense movements, break common

sexual-assault misconceptions, and give tips on how to prevent situations or locations that may lead to sexual assault encounters.

“It doesn’t just teach them [R.A.D participants] how to protect themselves, but it tells them travel with more than one person, be where it’s lighted. If your gut tells you don’t go there…follow your gut instinct,” Flores said.

Flores stresses that the course teaches women how to defend themselves to the point where they have enough time to get away from their attacker, not to stay and fight them.

The average cost for the basic R.A.D physical defense program for women is about $25.

However, instructors like Flores will be donating their time, making the course free and available to all TAMUK female students, faculty and staff.

It is emphasized on the official R.A.D website that you do not need prior experience or need to be in top physical shape to participate in the course.

Tasha Clark, Title IX coordinator, states that R.A.D. instructors create an environment that allows students of all heights to feel comfortable in performing the same self-defense moves.

“One of the things that stuck with me…he [R.A.D instructor] tries to pick the shortest person in the room to do the opening move against him because a lot of people

think that ‘maybe I’m not athletic enough’ or ‘the right height’…he proves that that’s not the case,” Clark said.

Flores advises students who take the self-defense course to never stop practicing what they have learned.

She recommends students to include the moves as part of their daily exercises.

“Some of these moves that we do [are] tiring and it’s good cardio for them. If they include that, it becomes memory. It’s built in….Always practice, practice, practice, we don’t know when that time may come,” Flores said.

Although it hasn’t been made official, Clark is looking to make Keychain Defense classes available to people who have completed the basic self-defense course.

“I would say that there’s going to be one [key course] in the future, we don’t have dates specified at this time... still in the early process of planning that,” Clark said.

Flores confirms that although the TAMUK Police Department is working with the Office of Compliance to try to make the keychain course available on campus, nothing has been made official. If the key course is held in the future, it will be led by officer Gray who is certified to teach the course.

Registration for the basic R.A.D. self-defense course is currently open for female staff, faculty and students.

To register, go to https:// goo.gl/MgW4tR.

Opinion

3

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

Reading the Mueller Indictment The Internet age finally comes for Democracy

Dakota Roberts Editorial Editor

Democracy, in and of itself, provides no mechanism for the evaluation of objective truth; the dialectic does not work perfectly.

As I was flipping through my assortment of cynical ideas, I came across this beauty. What is perhaps my most pessimistic opinion is also one of my more shameful ones; both for its treasonous undertones and for the other opinions it implies. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my freedoms: speech, press, life, liberty, you name it; but to follow in the steps of democ-

racy I must question things, even the ideas of democracy itself.

One of the most important personal freedoms, and the one that is essential to a government of discussion, is the freedom to express one’s opinions and question the opinions of others. In the communications department on campus, one of the first things you will learn is the marketplace of ideas which relies upon the belief that democracy acts as a machine of truth. Anything deliberated upon long enough without impeding the discussion with censorship will ultimately lead to a more authentic correctness, completely on the basis that the truth has merit.

In the advent of the Muel-

ler indictment, my conniptions with democracy are not based on the foundation of its beliefs and values, but, instead, I fear for its hack-ability. While Washington continues to point fingers and evaluate the possibility of a hacked election, which they probably should, we have yet to come to horrific conclusion that we let democracy slip.

We let the levy break, the gates were flooded with staged conflicts and every obstacle that could stand in the way of progress laid themselves out on the road in front of us. The indictment itself, which is available for anyone to read with a simple Google search, lists multiple instances where Russian entities paid for malicious po-

litical advertisements, staged political rallies on US soil, and crafted online personas in the absolute pursuit of pushing extreme agendas.

These organizations attempted to persuade populations to either not vote or to vote third-party. This content was monitored, measured, reallocated to different, diverse groups.

Democracy was not parodied in any way, but our practice of the market place of ideas was. Our way of protest, discussion, and freedom of speech corrupted to such a degree that I do question, if how we practice our right to free speech can be parodied so easily and then embraced, what hope do we have?

There was even one in-

stance where the Russian organization Internet Research Agency, an organization based in St. Petersburg, created a fake account called Tennessee GOP, with the handle @TEN_GOP. The twitter account falsely claimed that it was operated by the local Republican party and spread misinformation and improper party policies. That organization garnered more than 100,000 followers and was shared across the nation millions of times.

I don’t fear democracy, at the end of the day it is the proper way to combat these sorts of things. And there is no alternative that escapes these problems without abandoning personal freedom. The thing that I am

ashamed about then is not my fear that democracy has been undermined, it will certainly live, but what I truly fear then is the certainty of the people that surround me.

The dialectic fails not just because it is too easily influenced in the days of the internet, but because truth isn’t something that one decides for themselves, it is instead something that you look up.

That’s wrong.

What it means to me is that the road that lies ahead of us isn’t riddled with obstacles by an outside force, instead, we all remain alone on our own paths to truth with enough diversions to lead those that are absolutely certain right off the cliff.

that includes a full no-trade clause. This contract is the largest contract given to an Astros player - ever. The only contract that comes somewhat close is when Carlos Lee signed in 2006 with a six-year, $100 million deal.

The deal is well deserved for Jose Altuve, who won the 2017 MVP award. His play

is deserving of the contract and has outplayed his former contract of a measly $4.5 million contract.

Now, $4.5 million is a lot of money, but with players that are considered lesser than Altuve earning more than him, it was time to finally give him what he has earned. What does this do for

the other star players on the Astros?

With this extension, it’s no surprise that the Astros organization wants to keep their star players, such as Springer, Correa and Bregman. But, that may not be the case. When free agency finally hits, they may leave. I personally want to keep Spring-

er and Correa, as they were the first draft picks during the rebuilding era, but it may be difficult because of how much money the Astros are willing to spend.

Astros Owner Jim Crane has said in the past that the team will spend when it’s the right moment. That itself is a

testament to the 2017 season when the Astros won it all, by acquiring Justin Verlander who does command a huge salary, as well as Beltran, McCann and Reddick. With the Altuve extension, we may indeed see similar contracts to Correa, Springer or Bregman.

We will soon see.

Astros sign Jose Altuve to a 5-Year Extension Joshua Lin Reporter

Second Baseman Jose Altuve recently signed a contract extension with the Houston Astros for a fiveyear, $150 million contract

Body Positivity Today Kali Kennedy Contributing Writer

Is body positivity important in the changing social climate?

In today’s changing social climate, it is surprising that we still must deal with fat shaming, fatphobia and other marginalization of different types of bodies. But from this, body positivity has started to climb on the “what’s trending page.”

We often hear about body positivity in the media, but what does body positivity mean? Alia E. Dastagir of USA Today wrote this about body positivity “… it is about radically re-imagining how American culture views bodies, moving from a society where differences are ranked

to one where they’re celebrated.” So, body positivity is supposed to be about loving your body and taking care of your body in the best way you can. It is on the rise but not in the best way possible.

Some would argue that the straight-sized, white women who are used to illustrate body positivity marginalizes the overweight and the disabled. By doing this it shows people that these are the only bodies that matter, and that is not true.

Evette Dionne of Bitch Media discussed body positivity.

“There’s no wrong way to have a body. All bodies are beautiful. Beauty comes in every shape and size,” Dionne wrote. “Honor my curves.

Plus is equal. It’s time for us to reclaim our bodies. These catch phrases, and dozens of others, have become power-

ful hashtags on Instagram— more than 4 million people have used the #bodypositive hashtag on the photo-sharing platform.” It does seem that the media takes body positivity and spins it to say thin bodies are good bodies.

I find that body positivity is important because it shows you can chose to be happy in the body you live in. I am still learning about body positivity, so this might not be exactly the correct wording or understanding.

I personally have found body positivity is something that has helped me, recently.

I haven’t always been happy in my body, so the rise of body positivity has helped me realize that I can be happy in my body and not really care what other people think of the way I look.

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 Frankie Cardenas - Photographer Josue Villarreal - Reporter C.R. Neal - Reporter Joshua Lin - Reporter Iliana Flores - Reporter Luis Garcia - Reporter Nicole Morris - Adviser Dr. Manuel Flores - Content Supervisor

Have an opinion?

Contact the South Texan at thesouthtexan@yahoo.com or message us on our Facebook fan page.

Advertising For advertising inquiries, e-mail the South Texan at thesouthtexan@yahoo.com, or call (361) 593-4371 and ask for a consultation.

Letters to the Editor

Letters must be typed, signed, and include a phone number.

Letters will be edited for grammar, punctuation, libel, and profanity.

Letters considered for publication must be 300 words or fewer.

Letters may be hand delivered or emailed to thesouthtexan@yahoo.com Please send letters or inquiries to The South Texan at Manning Hall 165, Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas 78363 (361) 593-4370

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.

TWITTER POLL QUESTION Did you grow up in a small town, a big city, or something in-between?

This week’s poll: Do you use Facebook?

Hawking Among the Stars

One of the Greatest Minds on Earth passes away America Quintero Campus Editor It is not uncommon to hear, you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. On March 14, the world wasn’t ready for the loss of arguably one of Earth’s greatest minds, Stephen W. Hawking.

Ironically, Hawking’s mind never looked to uncover the mysterious about the world around him. Instead, he pondered about the world beyond the reach of humanity.

At Sydney’s Opera House in 2015, Hawking said, “So remember, look at the stars and not your feet,” reported CNN news.

Although Hawking never physically traveled into space, he always reached for the stars. With all the recent news discussing Hawking’s lifetime success, an important question comes to mind, “How will you remember Stephen Hawking?”

Hawking was known by many names, including the “modern Einstein” and the

“smartest man alive.” With that type of praise, it is up for debate on how Hawking’s generation will remember him. Was he a man of science, a man who overcame adversity, or a man who lived life to the fullest?

The easiest title to tackle is his renowned success as a physicist. He is credited with having made advances in the science community on the subject of black holes and relativity. “Not since Albert Einstein has a scientist so captured the public imagination and endeared himself to tens of millions of people around the world,” said Michio Kaku, a professor of theoretical physics at the City University of New York, in an interview with the New York Times.

However, if you were to ask me, Hawking was a man who overcame adversity. I became convinced that he was an inspirational icon after reading “Out of My Mind” by Sharon M. Draper. The book is about a young girl who is incapable of communicating outside of her makeshift type board. Just like Hawking, the

protagonist is a person, who despite her limited physical movement, is a smart individual with a lot on her mind. Hawking even once famously quoted, “Although I cannot move and I have to speak through a computer, in my mind I am free.”

Despite having been physically limited by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), doctors are fascinated

by Hawking’s age. According to WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station, it is reported that only 10 percent of U.S. patients can live 10 years or longer when diagnosed with ALS. Hawking is considered an “outliner” having lived 55 years with ALS. During all those years, he lived life to the fullest, traveling all around the world and even experienced zero gravity.

In the end, Hawking will be remembered differently by different people. To me, he will be a symbol of determination, to others he’ll be a hero to science, while others will remember him as a friend and father.

4

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

Sports

The Hoggies Host Annual Cactus Cup

Hogs conclude their indoor season, open up outdoor season at home Plaserae Johnson Sports Editor

The Javelina Track and Field team tallied up their final scores at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Indoor Championships. The meet was March 9 and 10. It was hosted by Pittsburg State University in Kansas.

Rachael Somoye and Richard Cervantes earned All-American titles. Next, the Javelina Track and Field team prepared for outdoor season.

The Javelina Stadium hosted the Annual Cactus

Cup on March 16 and 17 to open up their outdoor season.

Angelo State University, Tarleton State University and Texas A&M UniversityCommerce were the teams that competed.

The Hogs started the outdoor season with national qualifying marks and firstplace finishes. The men’s 4x100 meter relay team blew away their competition as they qualified for outdoor nationals with a 40.31.

The time puts the Hogs first in the nation according to Track and Field Results Reporting System (tfrrs.org).

“It feels great running with teammates that have

that same greediness and hunger as me, and we want to just get the stick around only having one day of practicing hands and just let our speed take care of everything else,” said Todd Nicholas, who runs the first leg of the relay.

Following the relay was the women’s 4x100 meter relay. The Lady Hogs won the meet with a 47.07.

Later, was Robert Downs in the 400-meter dash who managed to get first with a time of 48.75. Richard Cervantes, Yesenia Balli and Alyssa Canul conquered the throws in shot, discus and the hammer.

“I was proud of myself,

Softball Team tops 0<4

but not satisfied. A [48.49 mark] isn’t a good opener for me, but it was the first meet of the season. There’s only one-way to go from here… up. I’m expecting a whole lot more,” said Canul, the Hammer champion of the 2018 Cactus Cup. Taylor Roberson, who assisted the relay as first leg, and won the hundred-meterdash with a 12.25.

“I imagined doing well because of the competition,” Roberson said.

The team had more top place finishes but is still pushing for more at upcoming meets.

“My personal goals are to

Lagae Brigance racing for first place

better my block start and to break my [personal record] in the hundred [meterdash], a team goal would

Photo by Frankie Cardenas

be for everyone to work hard to place at conference,” Roberson said.

Javelinas Come Back to Win After Defeat in First Game Luis Garcia Sports Reporter The Hogs Softball team finished their two-game series with Oklahoma Christian University Monday, March 19 at Vernie and Blanche Field in Kingsville.

After a loss that seemed to slip away, the Javelinas came back with a different game plan to pick up a win. There was a different attitude in the second game as the Javelinas built up their aggression to drive-in more runs and collect more hits. This was the game plan of Head Coach Craig Nicholson. The Lady Hogs went through with the plan. “[The] difference in the second game is [that] we took advantage of some of

our opportunities to score.

The first game we had chances and our offense really let us down,” Nicholson said.

Nicholson continued on the attitude of the Javelinas heading into the second game. “We wanted to be a little more aggressive on the bases but it also depends who’s on base,” he said.

Both games seemed to be more of a defensive matchup. Javelina pitchers Breanna Smith and Sarah Gilbert held the Eagles to a combined two runs the whole series. Gilbert went a solid seven innings as she struck out seven batters and gave up just one run.

“I felt like I came out strong, like I was trusting what coach was calling and how we were setting up batters and just really trusting my spin and my defense behind me and offense also

coming through. After the first game, we had to come together and that was absolutely the game plan was to just go 100 percent and fight to get a win,” Gilbert said.

Rachael Longoria had herself a game as she was able to get a hit as well as an RBI to contribute to the offense.

“I feel better, I’m just glad I got to help my team out a little bit and get that RBI but we just came in the second game more aggressive so I was just happy to see that everyone picked it up,” Longoria said.

Javelina Softball is preparing as Texas A&M University- Commerce comes in for a three-game series on March 23 to 26 at the Vernie and Blanche Field of Kingsville.

The Javelinas’ Lead Returns Lopez Looks to Come Back Stronger, More Motivated Luis Garcia Sports Reporter Former Javelina star running back Luis Lopez is now eligible and eager to play football. Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) is preparing for a big season and now has bolstered its offense with Lopez’s return.

After having a bad academic semester and being out of football, Javelina running back Lopez is determined and motivated to have a monster season.

There has been a lot of excitement in the locker room and during practice.

“My emotions and feelings are nothing more but focus and excitement to step back on the field with a group of people I have played with before in the fall of 2016 and finish what we started. The fall of 2017 really made me upset with myself for failing my coaching staff, teammates/brothers but most of all that name that I wear on my chest, so that also being the community of Texas A&M Kingsville,” Lopez said.

The last time Lopez played was the 2016 season.

As starting running back, Lopez had 117 attempts for 596 yards and seven touchdowns to cap off the season.

He also helped out on the receiving end, hauling in 15 receptions for a total of 157 yards.

With those statistics, it’s easy to see why teammates, fans, and especially coaches

Courtesy photo by javelinaathletics.com

Luis Lopez

are excited for his return.

“It’s great to have him back because we didn’t really have a power back like him last year. Towards the end of the game as defenses start getting tired, they’re worn down and then you have him hit the hole time after time,” said Ryan Rodriguez, assistant defensive back coach for the Javelinas.

Lopez has already set his goals and expectations for the 2018 season.

“My expectations for this season are to better myself in every aspect. In class, and on the football field and to become the running back Texas A&M Kingsville needs to win football games. Also, to hopefully catch someone’s eye to get an opportunity to take my football to the next level,” Lopez said. “So either that being NFL, [Canadian Football League] or [German Football League]. I will love to just get any opportunity to continue playing the sport I love.”

It’s good that Lopez has set these expectations and

goals for himself because that’s exactly what is expected of him, said Running Back Coach Jaime Martinez.

“The expectations we have for him is his leadership. He plays a big role in kind of making those guys at the running back position kind of go a little bit. He brings kind of a different attitude mentally just because of his running style. We look forward to him bringing that back into the picture,” Martinez said.

In February, Head Coach Daren Wilkinson had a press conference and mentioned how there were a good number of players signed that were from the Houston area.

Houston is known as a great area to scout for football. Lopez is ready to welcome new teammates.

“I feel confident and comfortable playing with anyone, either from a small town like me and a few other locals on the team like Kai Youngburg and Aaron Dilworth from Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi, or Ryan Martinez from H.M. King. So, it really never mattered to me where you went to high school or what city you’re from,” Lopez said.

The Javelinas will continue to prepare and fight for next season.

“We control what we control, and if we do the little things right as a team and come together as one, the outcome of that shall be National Champions and history made once again for Texas A&M Kingsville,” Lopez said.

Photo by Frankie Cardenas

Top picture: Sarah Gilbert pitching for Hogs Bottom picture: Arabella Acosta-Cantu dives into base plate

‘BAMBI’ ON THE FORTNITE

Baseball player promotes positivity through hobby Frankie Cardenas Photographer

“Oh my, you’re tall,” is a phrase uttered to Christian “Bambi” Bambrook on a regular basis. He stands six-footeight. Bambrook is a basketball player for the Javelinas who is from Eddyville, Iowa.

Bambrook has always been one to hold a spotlight; whether it be from his athletic prowess on the court as a starting forward, or simply walking into a room and nearly hitting his head in the doorway. Although he is a student-athlete in the Psychology and athletic departments of Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), he partakes in other activities.

“I’ve been an avid gamer since I can remember,” said Bambrook on his hobby outside of basketball.

“I remember my first real Christmas… [When I was younger] my parents told me to ask Santa for a Nintendo 64. [It] was one of the first major gaming systems, and I remember playing games like Donkey Kong, Mario, and Pokémon Colosseum a lot when I was little. I’ve always had gaming in my life since then,” Bambrook said.

As he grew older, so did his love for gaming, collecting an assortment of systems from Nintendo, to PlayStation, to Xbox. When the systems went online, Bambrook followed suit, making friends and enemies while building a competitive reputation.

He outlasted opponents in shooting games like Call of Duty and Fortnite Battle Royal.

Photo by Frankie Cardenas

Christian “Bambi” Bambrook

He was recommended by a friend and teammate, Dylan Hart, to start live-streaming game play on a popular streaming site, Twitch.tv.

Since Aug. 4, 2016, Bambrook has garnered a hefty following on his streaming channel, Twitch.tv/TheGreatBambi01, amassing more than 3,100 followers, and earning the attention and membership of the upcoming eSports team, Team Renowned, and being a former member of the gaming organization Regal Reserve.

“I didn’t think that was something I was going to enjoy at all,” said Bambrook about his now favorite thing to do. “I wasn’t a big people-person at the time. I just liked playing video games and just keeping to myself.

Well, I went ahead and tried it, and it was so much fun interacting with people in the chat […] it kind of just took off. Providing entertainment for people who also love video games? It’s so much fun.”

Fans speak highly of Bambrook.

“Bambi is the same guy in person and online, funny and very dorky,” said Jason Turrubiates a fan of Bambrook’s stream.

Bambrook has gained

support on his stream “I enjoy watching his streams; to me it’s pretty cool because I’m into gaming as well,” Hart confirmed.

“When I first started playing with [Bambi], he was always laid back at all times but, over time he became more and more outgoing. Now he has a more energetic personality.”

Bambi has secured a steady income from his stream. Alongside minimal donations here and there, he’s excited that he can make money doing what he loves; however, he says that’s not at all what is important. He hopes to promote positivity.

“We both wanted to create funny and friendly places where people could go to distract themselves from any negative outside problems.

We have helped people move past hard times.

We enjoy making people laugh and making them happy, because that is what makes us happy. That is why we stream,” Hart said.

The stream has helped “Bambi” continue to do what he does today.

“I have some people who come in and they don’t have the best things going on in their lives, and neither does anybody else,” he said. “I feel like, I’m somebody they can come talk to […] I’m not doing this for the money. I’m doing it because I love playing video games and building these relationships with people […] that’s the one thing I never want to stray away from: making sure I have positive impact on whoever is a fan or follower of my stream.”

Entertainment

5

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

‘Unwelcome,’ told through the eyes of innocence

TAMUK presents documentary by Theresa Myklebost to students regarding survival from the war Camila Pena Reporter There are about 4.8 million Syrian refugees dispersed in neighboring countries, half of which are children.

“Unwelcome” is a film that tells the story of a young refugee who is doing everything to survive.

Texas A&M-Kingsville will be showing “Unwelcome” on Tuesday, March 27.

The film will start at 6 p.m. and will be shown at the JSEC. Afterwards, students and staff will have the opportunity to learn more about the making of the film and will be able to ask questions to the Director, Ida Theresa Myklebost.

“Unwelcome” is a film that is told from the perspective of Menwar. Menwar is a young Syrian child who is six years of age. The story is shown from his innocent point-of-view and highlights all the hardships he has to

endure in an effort to escape the war along with his parents. He lives in a small tent outside a gas station in Greece. “‘Unwelcome’ goes beyond the stories you see about Syria on the news or hear about in political debates, it really lets you live in Menwar’s shoes for a few days and to feel what he feels” says Myklebost.

“Unwelcome” was filmed in Greece during the summer of 2016.

This film goes as far as showing what Syrians are going through, not only having to flee from their home country for security purposes, but not being accepted in other countries and feeling left out.

The main purpose of this film was to tell a story that only those who have faced the fear of being assassinated and are fleeing their home country for protection could tell.

It only took about seven days to shoot this film because there were a lot of things going on.

However, Myklebost says she had to prepare herself months prior to traveling to Germany to prepare for her journey. Myklebost is the Director and Producer of this film. She worked with Jasmine El-Gamal, who was her co-producer and camera woman. Benjamin Vandel Heuvel was the composer of the music that is played throughout the film.

El-Gamal says there were a couple of things they were able to grasp out of their experience filming this.

Gamal and the rest of the crew deduced that there is a generation that is lost (of both children and adults) and a big loss of identity since they feel like they

Spring is in the air

Annual Spring Fling event is nearing Darcy Ramirez Managing Editor Deep fried oreos, dressed nachos, fajita wraps, fruit cups and raspas will make an appearance at Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s annual Spring Fling.

Spring Fling will be held from 5 to 10 p.m., March 28, on University Boulevard.

Spring Fling is a time for organizations to raise money and spread awareness about their clubs.

There will be approximately 95 to 100 organizations selling food and drinks this semester.

Some organizations will host games and activities instead of selling drinks or food, and Spring Fling is always welcome to the public and child-friendly.

“The best part about Spring Fling is the food and the atmosphere. Everyone comes out and has a great time, students and community alike,” Delanie Slifka,

an animal science major and member of the Campus Activities Board, said.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, March 20 and 21, there was a Spring Fling Informational held for all organizations to attend.

The informational covered topics regarding time of set up which is 4 p.m.

Wednesday, what can and cannot be sold, formalizing what foods and drinks will be sold, what area the organizations will be set up, and a brief instruction on common courtesy and customer service.

Most of the food and drinks will cost between $1 and $5 and hopefully the organizations make a profit by the end of the night.

“I love the food at the Spring Fling and Fall Carnival. Trust me I spend money at these events all the time and it’s for a good cause,” James Castillo, a business major, said.

Throughout the Spring Fling either a local band or

a DJ will play music to keep the vendors and customers entertained throughout their perusal.

The music will be setup in front of the Javelina statues near a bounce house that will be provided by the Campus Activities Board as well as face painting and balloon art.

Spring Fling is usually a fun-filled day that unites both students and citizens and allows university officials to see their students interact with everyday people.

“I really appreciate the atmosphere the campus tries to create with events like this. It’s really cool to see students and community members interact with each other.

“And when you go to the Spring Fling or the Fall Carnival you see kids, dogs, students, and people of all walks of life. It’s actually quite nice and gets students out of their comfort zone,” Greg De la Rosa, a chemical engineer, said.

Walk Across Texas

TAMUK encourages students to participate in the eightweek progam dedicated to making Texas a healthier state Staff Reports

Texas A&M University— Kingsville is encouraging students to participate in the eight-week event Walk Across Texas.

The program is designed to establish the habit of regular physical activity by having teams or individuals walk up to 832 miles, the same length of distance to get across the large state of Texas.

The event can be experienced either as a team, with a maximum number of eight participants, or you can choose to take on the challenge as a solo runner.

Not a fan of just walking off the weight?

Walk Across Texas isn’t simply a walking competition. Instead, any individual

Courtesy of walkacrosstexas.tamu.edu

can choose their preference to be active; whether that be biking, swimming, dancing, Pilates, or virtually any conditioning exercise.

Luckily, Walk Across Texas offers help in not just calculating the distance you walk, but also personalizes your workout according to your means and preferences.

Along with this, there is no fee for registering yourself or a team.

Walk Across Texas promotes itself as a completely expense-free challenge, with no registration charges or future expenses required.

The program has been recognized by the Texas Department of State Health Services as the Best Practice Physical Activity Program.

With roughly 27,000 members statewide and 116 counties participating this year, this program is a good chance to make Texas a healthier state.

See if you have what it takes to walk straight across Texas by going to Walk Across Texas’ website of the same name and registering yourself and maybe some friends.

The sooner you start, the sooner you finish the long, long road to a healthier you.

don’t belong and often see themselves as the “other.”

“We all know what happens when people start to thinking of themselves of the other… the risk of radicalization and the risk of terrorism exponentially increases because refugees and terrorists thrive on chaos and uncertainty and hopelessness and loss of identity,” El- Gamal added.

“Unwelcome” is an emotional film that promises to

stir your feelings. Myklebost says that one of the hardest things she had to experience were the desperate cries of the small children when the police show up at the camps at night, Myklebost says “They are scared and ask you to help them, and to then have no power - even though you know what is happening to them is wrong and unjust to change anything for them.

“The feeling of understanding how brutal and

unjust the world is, it’s very hard,” Myklebost said.

International and Multicultural event Coordinator, Elizabeth Laurence, says it is important for everyone to come and see this film.

The Kingsville Police Department and Kappa Delta Pi will be serving refreshments and providing information for those who attend. After the film, students will be able to ask questions and meet the director, Myklebost.

Courtesy photo by WAITING ON DARCY TO RESPOND

President’s Roundtable continued from Page 1 International students are not permitted and do not qualify for financial aid because of their foreign status causing some of them to work various jobs, or ask family members to send money whenever possible.

Many of the students want the school to create a scholarship program, but the administration repeatedly told them there are pressing issues that constrict them from expanding scholarships to international and transfer students.

“What is the most pressing issue? What do we need more of? Well I would say we need more money, so that we can help,” Dr. Maureen Croft, vice president for Enrollment Management, chuckled.

Croft also mentioned how the university has recently established a Transfer Excellent Scholarship Program for Fall 2018 that offers $1,000 for students with a transfer GPA of 3.0 to 3.5, $1,500 for a GPA of 3.5 to 3.75 and $2,000 for a GPA of 3.75 and above.

As for international students, the university will continue to use its endowment funds or investment funds as they see fit, and seek a competitive scholarship program for the international students that can be used as a waiver for their non-resident tuition.

“We’re always trying to find ways to help students,” Croft added.

During the event Dr. George Allen Rasmussen, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, resolved the issue regarding the Study Abroad Program and the $350 reserve charge.

Many students had become angry when they heard that if they decided to drop out from the program they would not be given a refund.

Rasmussen explained that the $350 for the reserve slot is refundable unless you drop out of the program 10 days prior to the trip because plane tickets, hotel reservations, and insurance will already have been purchased.

“There are always exceptions to rules and policies,” Tallant said.

Campus Safety was also a great concern for Guduru who wanted to understand what measures the university is taking to ensure and improve safety along with the further development of the

app, “JavGuard.” Currently, the university provides 16 police officers who break up into two different shifts every day.

Felipe Garza, chief of University Police, explained how UPD provides a number of safety events and tools like RAD, a rape prevention defense course for females, personal awareness safety displays, presentations on what to do and what not to do, 550 security cameras, a dispatch service staffed 24 hours a day and safety escorts.

The tech department later revealed new updates that have been made to “JavGuard,” such as a panic button that notifies UPD when pressed, the ability to send pictures to UPD, a safety timer that will notify your emergency contacts if you are taking too long walking home, and a 911 feature that allows you to text or call emergency services.

However, they did disclose its lack of utilization, since only 500 students have the app downloaded.

“Safety is my number one priority. It’s more important that what we teach in the classroom because if you cannot be safe going to and coming home from class, we might as well not even teach you,” Tallant said.

At the end of the agenda the floor was open to the public to voice their personal concerns.

These open questions focused on pedestrian signs, the drop in enrollment of international students, solar technologies, and overall how the university can improve.

Regarding pedestrian safety, four sets of pedestrian signs along with flashing LED lights will be added to the crosswalks in four weeks.

As a result in the drop of international student enrollment, Rasmussen and many international students have begun recruiting at high schools and will continue to recruit international, as well as domestic students, in the following months.

In regards to solar technology the university will continue to conserve energy by reducing use in certain areas, but will not begin to use solar technology because of its cost and high maintenance.

The last question centered on what area the university needed the most improving

on. TAMUK is not a perfect school as many students and faculty have come to understand. There are various issues of safety, finances, parking, and environmental hazards that the university regularly faces, but Tallant addressed a more statistical problem.

“We always need to grow.

But we don’t want to grow too quickly because you need a steady growth to be competitive [compared to other schools].

“Graduation rates are not where they should be, they are really behind the average in the state of Texas. If you really want an education, and life doesn’t intervene, you can get an education here in 4.7 years on average and get your degree which is really good.

“My priority is looking at all of the factors of student success, how do we help every student here, get through this university, help you learn and help you realize your dream, so all about the metrics of students’ success should be our number one priority,” Tallant said.

Overall, Guduru was pleased with the outcome of the roundtable.

She felt that the issues were addressed in a concise manner and that this event will help spark new activities and implementations that the university will establish in the future.

“This university is extremely diverse. But there are a lot of people who still think, ‘Oh I’m from this country and I don’t really feel welcome because I don’t have so-and-so options’ and things like that and there are also people who think, ‘Oh this campus is not really safe because no one’s taking precautions and no one’s here to save me and protect me’ and all that kind of stuff.

“So my purpose was to actually show them that; to help them know that there is actually stuff which they are not taking use of.

“I just wanted to put out everything we have so the word gets spread. [Tallant’s] responses actually bridged my main goal of actually putting it out there, like spreading the word, so I’m satisfied, and I’m happy, and I hope everyone else is happy,” Guduru said.

6

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

Ad

Texas A&M University-Kingsville University Housing and Residence Life

HOUSING RATES FREEZE FOR YOU FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS!!!

Amenities: (Lucio Hall) Barbecue and Picnic area Exterior card access system Game tables Ice machines Intramural teams Lounges with living rooms and TVs Planned social, recreational and educational activities Professional staff members Resident/Community Advisor staff Smoke-free building Student leadership opportunities Vending machines *not including meal plan

HALL RATES PER SEMESTER Turner/Bishop/Martin Hall $2,096 Lynch Hall $2,311 2 Bedroom - Lucio Hall & Mesquite Village West $3,604 4 Bedroom - Lucio Hall & Mesquite Village West $3,394

For questions:

Email: residencelife@tamuk.edu Phone: 361-593-3419 In Person: Lucio Hall, Office 119, Kingsville, TX 78363-8202