The South Texan Vol. 95 Issue 3

TheSouthTexan.com Texas A &M University-Kingsville Award-Winning Student Publication Tuesday, September 15, 2020

CROSS COUNTRY RETURNS

SPORTS PG.4

@thesouthtexan

Vol. 95, Issue 3

Faculty, students adjusting to virtual learning

Social Work Repository at TAMUK

Professors missing interaction

During challenging times, the Center for Student Success is committed to helping students succeed in all facets of their life. Last year, the CFSS launched The Student and Community Resources Repository and is partnered with Student Access. The repository is designed and equipped to help students who are in need of resources and information. Students seeking information should visit https://www.tamuk. edu/studentsuccess/repository/index.html “The Student and Community Resources Repository is a centralized online searchable database.

Our intent was to create a resource website for our students, local communities and the South Texas region,” Interim Associate Vice President for Student Access Maria Martinez said. “The search-driven database allows users to search for services available from local, state and national sources. Service categories include food, technology, health, financial, technology and housing.”

The Student and Community Resources Repository website is formatted to help students find local resources throughout South Texas. To ease the process and helps students, the CFSS works alongside two Social Work practicum students to provide social service referrals. However, due to COVID-19, practicum students are working off site and helping students through email: TAMUK. SocialWorkHelp@tamuk. edu, with arranged phone calls and through Blackboard Collaborate.

The Student and Community Resources Repository is dedicated to expand their sources to

Emma Hodges | Reporter

Teachers and students at Texas A&M University – Kingsville are struggling with ways to effectively learn and relate in the time of coronavirus.

Professors who are used to frequent in-class interaction with their students now find themselves with no choice but to adapt.

“I tend to favor the Socratic method of teaching, where I foster debate and discussion among my students,” Dr. Pamela Wright, who teaches in the Department of Language and Literature, said. Coronavirus necessitated a different approach. “I have been having to rely more on lecturing in the videos I post.”

Dr. Marsha Sowell, a professor in the Department of Teacher and Bilingual Education, also changed her lessons to remove more interactive elements.

“The biggest change I have made… is to take out several of our hands-

on, group activities. Although technology allows for some of this to happen, teaching strategies that require students to move around simply cannot be recreated with authenticity…. The strategy really loses a lot of its purpose,” Sowell said.

Daycie Ruiz, a graduate student majoring in English, said that while it can be nice to have a more flexible schedule “not having a fixed schedule can affect my attendance and energy level.” Students across campus also lose out on opportunities “to learn from each other and have valuable discussions.”

English/Communications major Amber Badger is also missing face-to-face class time.

“Teachers can’t put a face to us anymore if everything’s online,” Badger said.

While student-teacher relationships have undeniably encountered a shift, both sides are learning to adjust.

“More students are

Resources available to Javelina students Aryssa Enriquez | Editor-in-Chief chief.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Dylan Dozier

Dr. Jose Daniel shares lecture slides with students during a virtual learning session.

coming to virtual office hours or emailing questions back and forth,” Sowell said. “I’m learning individual student’s learning needs and preferences more than I get in a faceto-face classroom.”

The drawbacks of education in the coronavirus era are evident. However, students like Ruiz are fighting to stay positive.

Dylan Dozier

Aryssa Enriquez

COVID-era students at TAMUK work remotely via Blackboard Collaborate.

Online

See Social work , Pg 6

Tymrak, Renfrow leave a legacy

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Here’s a sneak peak of what you missed online.

Longtime professors passed away in August

Escape Room in SUB The Campus of Activities Board (CAB) will be hosting an Area 51-themed escape room.

Empty classrooms have become the rule in the age of COVID.

Sarah Reyna |Reporter

Texas A&M University-Kingsville is mourning the loss of Jerome Tymrak, lecturer in agricultural science, and William Edward Renfrow, longtime art professor.

With decades of experience in education both individuals leave a legacy at TAMUK and the students they taught.

Renfrow was born on Dec. 26, 1935, in Cooper C o u n t y, Mo. He was a graduate of JeromeTymrak Kansas City Faculty Lecturer Art Institute, where he received a degree in the Masters of Fine Arts. Renfrow was a Professor of Art and part of the Department of Art, Communication and Theatre where he shared his passion for art, especially painting for 43 years. Renfrow passed on Aug. 29, in Kingsville, Texas “As he taught over the years, he grew to love teaching art history. In

the 1960s, Renfrow fought discrimination against Chicano students. Out of his and Ben Bailey’s dedication to their students, today there are a number of well-known artists who graduated from Texas A&I including Amado Pena, Carmen Lomas Garza, Jose Riviera and Cesar A. Martinez,” according to press release by the university.

A private service was held in Renfrow’s memory.

Tymrak, 73, was born on Sept. 30, 1946 in Jourdanton, Texas, and passed away on Aug. 31. He was a graduate of Texas A&I, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Ag-

ricultural Education and his master’s.

Tymrak had a passion for teaching.

WilliamRenfrow He worked Art Professor at the university for 20 years, and prior to that he spent 27 years as an ag science teacher at Banquete High School.

According to his obituary, Tymrak received the TAMUK College of Agriculture Advising Award twice and was a five-time recipient of the Texas A&M University System Chancellor’s Outstanding Teaching Award.

Tymrak was known for his dedication in helping his students succeed.

“In my 10 plus years as Department Chair, I cannot recall one challenge that Mr. Tymrak was not able to resolve on his own,” Dean of Agriculture Dr. Shad Nelson said.

“Students, both young and old, looked to Mr. Tymrak not only for education, but he demonstrated to them how to be a better person along the learning process.”

Friends, family and colleagues of Tymrak gathered Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds in Robstown, for a Celebration of Life.

Campus

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Organizations face challenges with COVID Face-to-face meetings could start Sept. 13

SusanCortez| Contributing writer

Texas A&M-Kingsville’s organizations face a new challenge by learning to operate under new conditions for COVID with such little time to prepare.

At the start of a new semester here, many clubs are having to make fast changes to their ways of planning events, showing up to meetings and recruiting process.

“We do want to do our philanthropy events and Brotherhood events on campus, however with COVID-19 there are a lot of unknowns. We are planning day-by-day when it comes to events, having a tentative cal-

endar that we follow.

There is a lot of adjusting we would have to do to accommodate to COVID-19,” Cristian Miranda, Alpha Sigma Phi vice president of service and philanthropy and vice president of membership retention, said.

Other organizations are facing similar issues.

“Technically, we would only have two events in a designated MSUB room and following all necessary guidelines. Some of the events we will be hosting is the national LGBTQI+ awareness days which will be posted on our social media about the event,” Alberto Oliveira, vice president of Unity, said. “It’s tough to think of not hosting our usual fundraising events, but we will make do in trying to fundraise in other ways.”

Many of the clubs at TAMUK transitioned onto a virtual platform for meetings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Masks and social distancing are required when having face-toface meetings and attending events.

“We participated in today’s virtual student organization fair and plan to host other virtual meetings throughout the semester,” Oliveira said.

Organizations will soon be able to meet face-to-face provided they follow certain guidelines.

“Starting on Sept. 13, the registered student organizations will be able to hold meetings face-toface as long as they are meeting the guidelines set by the university and the CDC,” Erin McClure, director of Student Activities, said. “If student organizations want to have an event, they will have to go through a risk assessment matrix with a Student Activities staff to make sure they are taking proper precautions during their events.”

Until then, organiza-

Jaylin Morales waits for club meeting to start

tions have been utilizing Collaborate.

“Our recruiting process was online the majority of the semester starting with tabling at

develop reliable water system in rual areas GabriellaMastroianni | Reporter

Submitted photo International Guest Speaker Justin Jones-Fosu detailed how students can live life to their own beat.

Virtual Night Out held last Thursday DylanSanchez| Contributing writer

The annual Javelina Night Out was not held in typical fashion this year for students who were looking forward to participating in the campus activity.

COVID-19 may have pushed the event – dubbed Virtual Night Out this year - online, but nothing was lost when it came to the experience.

The event, funded by the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health, featured guest speaker Justin Jones-Fosu, author of two books with his most recent book “Finding Your Glasses: Revealing and Achieving Authentic Success.”

In a pre-recorded message, TAMUK University President Mark Hussey welcomed students to the event.

the pavilion with other fraternities,” Miranda said.

“We will be participating in Fraternity Informational Night on Blackboard Collaborate

and then having our rush events in an online format.”

Many student organizations are posting about their events on social media.

proposal to NSF’s “Interfacial Engineering Program” and was evaluated through the organization’s merit review process.

This process reviews and rates proposals by individual experts on two criteria: Broader Impacts (potential societal benefits) and Intellectual Merit (potential to advance knowledge). “[..] this project has the potential to help build the research community’s knowledge base for advancing membrane distillation for high-salinity water purification,” Spokesperson for NSF Robert Margetta said. “This potentially revolutionary technology, which could result in simple, portable and inexpensive water treatment, has obvious applications, particularly in rural and arid areas.”

Camacho’s project focuses on developing “a detailed fundamental and mechanistic understanding” of how graphene oxide-based membranes plays a role in dry-wet phase inversion “synthesis to produce membranes for membrane distillation.”

Because reverse osmosis can only desalinate water with low mineral

concentration and is unable to desalinate water with high salinity, the idea of membrane distillation is a possible alternative.

Graphene oxide-based membranes are believed to be essential in the process of membrane distillation due to their antifouling properties.

According to the project’s abstract description, “Membrane distillation is an energy-efficient alternative to multi-stage flash and multi-effect distillation processes and can be configured to concentrate brines.”

By developing this treatment, places with limited resources, such as arid or rural areas, will have access to a reliable system to treat water.

“Dr. Camacho’s grant will allow the recruitment of doctoral and master’s students to our graduate programs in environmental engineering,” Chair and Professor of the Department of Environmental Engineering Dr. David Ramirez said.

“This research grant will provide graduate research assistantships to new highly-motivated graduate students in our program.”

Professor earns $300K grant Camacho to

Students encouraged to move to their beat

Calista Reyes

“If you didn’t already know…Javelina Night Out began a few years ago as an inspirational event to help new students adjust to college life, and more importantly, understand their purpose as they move forward in their academic journey,” he said. “Even though we are virtual this year, the message is still the same: you’re here and you have a purpose.”

The international speaker, entrepreneur and author along with hundreds of Javelinas logged into a Zoom meeting and engaged in an educational but funfilled message for those who are stepping into the college life for the first time. The event is geared toward freshmen.

Jones-Fosu shared many things with those tuning in, such as his life story and experiences, second-hand accounts of what he has seen and heard throughout his life and shared advice on how to keep yourself on track to being the best college student you could possibly be at Texas A&M Universi-

ty-Kingsville.

He interacted with students and never allowed the meeting to go flat as he kept the eyes watching engaged on him and his lessons to the young adults going through the process of college and real life.

“We have the power to turn up our beat,” Jones-Fosu told students.

“Who is the only person you and I can control? Ourselves! Have you ever been off beat in your life? So many things can cause us to be off beat. This is not a perfect life…how do we get back there?”

Jones-Fosu explained his Three-Rhythm Model, which includes perspective, the task and the relationship, which all boil down to focusing on the positives and eliminating negativity from our lives – be it news or people.

He encouraged students to stay connected with him via social media @imeaningful. Virtual Night Out this year was held in conjunction with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s Associate Professor Dr. Lucy Mar Camacho received a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for water treatment research.

Camacho works in the deDr. LucyCamacho partment Professor of Environmental Engineering and has been working on a research project “Collaborative Research: Dry-Wet Phase Inversion Pathway of Graphene Oxide (GO)Based Mixed-Matrix Membranes for Mineral Ions Separation by Membrane Distillation.”

This project started on Aug. 1 and is estimated to be completed on July 31, 2023.

Camacho was recognized after submitting a

Entertainment

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Mulan features new characters, throwbacks A spolier filled review GabriellaMastroianni |Reporter

The live action adaptation of Mulan has created buzz in the media with mixed reviews.

The new version is very different from the 1998 Disney animation film. Characters have changed, some removed, some added, and some completely renovated.

There are also name changes and roles of the beloved animated characters as well as the complete disappearance of musicality of any kind.

However, there were some connections tied to the Disney animation.

The live action film replaces many characters and character roles.

Mushu, the comedic little dragon whose purpose is to protect and guide Mulan, was scraped out and replaced with a

Phoenix guardian.

Shun Yu, the barbaric chief of the Huns, was replaced with Bori Khan and the Shadow Army.

And General Li Shang, Mulan’s animated love interest, was replaced with General Tung.

The love interest shifted over to fellow soldier Chen Honghui, although the love connection was incredibly subtle.

The family name was also changed from Fa to Hua, which is the correct name according to some variated legends of Mulan. Unlike the animated film, the live action adaptation includes themes of dark magic, and Qi (which Mulan possesses naturally rather than working hard to become a merited warrior).

New characters also appear such as Mulan’s sister Hua Xiu, and a

Actress Liu Yifei is the star of Disney’s Mulan

shapeshifting witch named Xian Lang.

This adaptation resembles more of the actual Chinese folklore of Mulan rather than the animated film. The dialogue is somewhat stiff and minimal; the movie heavily relies on the atmosphere rather than words.

When watching, one can see that some of the

Photo by Disney

stunts are not as smooth as others. While the technology used to create the stunts is not visible, it is noticeable that the actors are being pulled and objects being mechanically flung into the air.

The capabilities of modern Hollywood magic were not fully utilized in this film.

As far as music, two recognizable songs in

the film are “Reflection” and “Honor to Us All.” Christina Aguilera also reprised her cover of the song “Reflection” and recorded an original song “Loyal Brave True” for the soundtrack.

The Mulan actress, Liu Yifei, also recorded a cover of “Reflection” in Mandarin.

However, the 2020 film highlights some of

the most odd and beautiful terrains of China.

The stunning shots of the different environments of China are breathtaking.

Overall, the 2020 Mulan film is beautiful, breathtaking and exemplifies feminism, bravery and loyalty for one another even if it goes against social expectations.

Transplant offers a new twist on medical dramas NBC show airs Tuesday nights AnnalisaPerales|Reporter https://www.headcount.org

How to adult: Absentee Voting How to request an absentee ballot, what you need to know Ronni Reyna|News Editor

News.editor@thesouthtexan.com

As a college student, voting is very important, especially during a presidential election year.

If you are not registered to vote, the deadline to make the General Election is Oct. 5.

You can register in person at a voting office or online at https://www. headcount.org/registertovote/?source=HChomepage.

You may also be wondering how you vote if you cannot make it to your home county or state by election day; there is a solution for that.

Every state in the U.S. offers absentee ballot voting, but in most states, including Texas, an excuse is needed.

However, being a college student, out of your home state or town is a valid excuse to request one.

Students can register for an absentee ballot until Oct. 23. Registering for a ballot is actually quite simple.

Visit https://www. headcount.org/vote-fromhome/#request and fill out the information; it is just as easy as that.

There are a few things they don’t tell you that are a must-know for requesting and receiving an absentee ballot so here they are.

Your ballot must be received by Nov. 3, but do not wait until then to send it.

It’s recommended that ballots get mailed up to two weeks in advance of the election date to guarantee they have been received.

You will also need to provide your own postage for your ballot, it’s a small price to pay but make sure you have some stamps when you go to send off your ballot.

It’s also important to pay close attention to details on your ballot to make sure your choices aren’t challenged or tossed.

When you go to complete your ballot, you must sign it.

The signature on your ballot must be similar to the one on you driver’s license or state ID. If it is not, you risk your vote not being counted.

Make sure you register to vote and to request your absentee ballot.

Exercise your rights and be the voice for change.

NBC’s new show Transplant demonstrates heart and the truth of real-world problems in its premiere.

This new medical drama begins with Bashir Hamed, played by Hamza Haq, who is a struggling refugee from Syria working at a restaurant in Canada.

Before he was able to present himself to someone who holds the chance of a new career opportunity, the restaurant is struck by a truck.

As Bashir awakens in shock after the accident, he then begins to perform emergency procedures on any visible victims before the ambulance can arrive.

Because of his heroic

actions, Bashir is given the opportunity to enter the medical field once again but with the catch of starting from the ground up.

While beginning his residency, Bashir experiences many setbacks as other residents and doctors have a hard time taking him seriously as well as trusting him.

As he struggles to get his work dilemma situated, Bashir’s worries do not end there as he is the only guardian of his 12-year-old sister, Amira.

Unlike many other medical shows that have aired throughout the years like New Amsterdam or The Resident, Transplant has seemed to take a different view on things.

This new drama gives

the audience insight of an immigrant starting life over in a new country along with his little sister as they learn a new way of life.

Throughout the beginning of the series, the audience is immediately given the experiences that the main character goes through in his new life in Canada.

The show has also addressed the problems of sexism and stereotypes in a work environment and the struggles of dealing with the issues of these situations.

Overall, Transplant is a show that should be given a chance as it will not disappoint the audience.

If you think you would be interested in this show, you can tune in on NBC at 9 p.m. Tuesdays or it is on Hulu.

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Javelina cross country returns

Blue and gold cross athletes prepare for challenging season

JacquelineBarrera| Sports Editor sports.editor@thesouthtexan.com

It is beginning to feel a lot more like fall this time of year, as the Javelina men and women’s cross-country teams began practicing early

Thursday morning.

With new protocols in place, the majority of the men and women feel this season will be a very challenging one to say the least.

New athletes were introduced to the intense training and were welcomed on their first day with unpleasant weather.

Melonie Thomas, a Seguin native, is a new addition to this year’s women’s cross-country

team and feels enthusiastic about her freshman season.

“The first day of practice was good, the weather was a little rough but it made the four miles interesting,” Thomas said. “I feel like this season we will have a very successful team. All of the girls are around the same pace with mileage, which is good in regards to scoring.”

Larissa Sanchez-Gonzalez, a returning

cross-country standout, also feels this season will bring success within the program.

“I am still uncomfortable with the idea of having a season this year,” Sanchez-Gonzalez said. “Although I do feel that we have some really awesome recruits this season who will help our team climb up the leaderboard.”

“As a senior this year I can only hope this will be an unforgettable sea-

son, if it hasn’t been already.”

Both women feel motivated to achieve their team goals.

Jake Trevino, a returning sophomore this season, explains the challenges this season will bring and how it will impact the season entirely.

“I am excited to get back into the swing of things,” Trevino said.

“But the bonding and cohesion of our team this season may not seem as

strong as past years.

There were so many rules to follow at our first day of practice, you can only imagine how the rest of this season will play out.”

While several cross-country athletes long for the days of normal conditioning and ideal team bonding, adjusting to this new lifestyle is difficult.

As for this year, Javelina cross country has made its official return.

Javelinas can opt out of their season COVID-19 presents challenges TyreseRoss| Contributing Writer

With sports being delayed until Spring thanks to COVID-19, some Javelinas are trying to make the best out of a trying situation.

According to the Lone Star Conference, a student-athlete’s eligibility to play will not be affected by the delay.

Hanna Lantz, assistant athletic director for academics and compliance, said a student-athlete does have the option of opting out this season.

“Players have a chance to opt out of the season without any consequences and will still have another year of eligibility,” she said.

This allows all players from freshmen to seniors to sit out and still be able to play. Another upside is they can get ahead on school work.

Many athletes didn’t

think twice about taking the year off because they know it will give them more time to work on their individual game and team chemistry. But some took a different view.

“It makes no sense to opt out on the year when it gives us an advantage now to do all our work online and work on our game,” freshman Ja Robertson, basketball player, said.

With the season being pushed back for all sports, student-athletes are taking their training to another level by working out three times a day.

Some also appreciate having time to focus more on school.

“It feels good to have a balance in school work and basketball. Of course I love the sport, but education comes first,” junior guard Tra Snell said.

There are new rules for the training facilities, and so to be able to practice student-athletes must be in small groups and get early morning temperature checks.

Javelina Athletics

Coaches pose for action shot.

Coaches talk future goals Annual Caravan now virtual format JacquelineBarrera| Sports Editor sports.editor@thesouthtexan.com

The Texas A&M University-Kingsville coaching staff was introduced to fans and alumni of Javelina Nation on Friday, Sept. 3, live on the Mendoza’s Pharmacy Javelina Sports Network.

Aside from previous years, the Coaches Caravan took place in virtual format allowing all nine Javelina head coaches to speak on behalf of their sporting teams.

Mike Salinas, head football coach, was the first to speak that morning.

“Our staff is excited to receive a little bit of normalcy with getting our kids back on campus and looking forward with getting to work with them in the weeks to come,” Salinas said.

“Since the pandemic we have preached to our

guys that we need to continue to control the things we can control.”

“By shifting a new perspective, we will find a way to take advantage of the time we had. Our staff has been allowed during this time to formulate a plan and spend more time with our players.”

As athletes and staff members move forward during these trying times, several coaches discussed previous successful seasons.

Ryan Dall, head track and field coach, spoke out on the accomplishments of multiple walkon athletes.

“Many athletes are not developed in high school and as a coaching staff we pride ourselves on being great technical coaches who can help further the success of those we come across at the collegiate level,” Dall said.

“We have athletes like Rachel Somoye, Johnathan Harper and Dean Wallace who have come here as walk-ons and have really excelled.

The key part is understanding these athletes and many others are extremely hardworking.”

Johnny Estelle, head men’s basketball coach, also shared how teamwork and unity have led his program to many victories.

“The leadership within last year’s team, those five seniors, the families and the character…” Estelle said, “I am a firm believer that winning starts at home. With the support of their families and the institution, culture and tradition is received.”

“Our men feed from that and remain on the same page, everyone wanted to win.”

Before the day was over, Steve Roach, exec-

utive director of athletics and campus recreation, spoke about the return of fall conditioning and team practices.

“A plan is currently being implemented now, the first two weeks were focused on testing all student athletes and we are preparing to begin a re-phase plan,” Roach said.

-“Every couple weeks we will start with some conditioning and weight training because we have to remember that our student athletes did not all have the same opportunities within the last six months. We will take it slow and re-evaluate every two weeks, hoping by mid-October we will be in full swing.”

Supporters, families and Javelina alumni are awaiting the return of normalcy within the athletic program of Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Students excited for start of NFL JasmineArce| Contributing Writer

Javelina Athletics

Javelina senior athletes have the option to opt out of season without any consequences.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) students were delighted by the return of the NFL regular season last weekend. The event provided a much-needed sense of normalcy to a very unusual school year.

However, coronavirus concerns have many unsure of how long the new season will last.

The NFL kicked off its season Thursday, Sept.

10, with the Houston Texans against the Kansas City Chiefs. Approval from the Kansas City mayor and health/emergency management directors meant that a limited attendance of fans in-stadium was possible.

Despite this, many other teams chose not to allow in-person attendance for their first games. On campus, many students could not gather for their usual watch parties and celebrations.

Instead, they have opted for

watching in small socially-distanced groups or communicating their reactions via social media.

Despite the limitations, students are still eager to see how the NFL season will play out.

“I’m excited, but I’m not anticipating it lasting very long,” TAMUK graduate student Pedro Gonzalez said.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL has implemented a number of health precautions to ensure the season runs safely.

Teams are also allowed to choose whether fans will be allowed for future games.

The NFL season continues Thursday, Sept.

17, with the Cincinnati Bengals against the Cleveland Browns.

The league is prepared for less than 16 games, and the weekend will

serve as a trial for whether the season will carry on as it has begun.

“We all have to do our part here to be successful in completing our season. I think we have a plan that will get us there,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in published reports.

Unlike the NFL, Texas A&M University-Kingsville as per the Lone Star Conference has responded to COVID-19 by postponing its own football season until Spring 2021.

For this reason, numerous students and sports fans on campus are excited for the rest of the upcoming NFL season.

“It’ll be nice. Even though things are different, I’d rather have some sports than absolutely no sports,” Community Advisor Tanya Prazelini said.

Forum

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“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.”

Our Opinion

Remembering the heroes of 9/11 On Sept. 11, 2001 the United States was brought together in tragedy, and united over the lives lost in the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon and the attempted attack on the White House.

America is divided on politics and many issues but never fails to unite on the day of remembrance.

We, though all different, come together to mourn, and to show that we can, in times of need, stand together. 9/11 brought the country together, made neighbors appreciate each other and gave the country a new sense of pride of what it meant to be an American.

“And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” Words of Lee Greenwood re-emerged in the wake of 9/11, words that still echo throughout our country today, still inventing what it truly means to be an American, still bringing Americans together 19 years later.

The United States is a country of pride, a country in which we try to value our neighbors and respect all. In the times we are in now, dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and police brutality, among many other things, the anniversary of 9/11 should make us stop and think about where we are as a country and what we could be doing to be better.

What can we do to better our country and show respect for the lives lost on this day of remembrance?

We hope all Americans take a day to reflect on this impact of 9/11 that continues to be felt throughout the country each year.

In total 2,977 people lost their lives in the attacks. ●

World Trade Center: 2,753

●

Pentagon in Washington D.C: 184

●

Shanksville, Penn.: 40

They all woke up thinking they would return home to their children, catch up on their favorite show, have dinner with their loved ones. This tragic event not only marked American history, but reminds us how tangible each moment really is. It teaches us to appreciate the everyday things before it becomes a tragic reminder of a finite moment.

The impact of their lives will never be forgotten.

#TheRealMulan impact on society A new hashtag trend is taking the media by s t o r m ; A g n e s Chow, a 23-year-old pro-democratic activist and politician, was Gabriella Mastroianni given the Reporter title #TheRealMulan.

For some context, here is why she has become a democratic symbol in Hong Kong and why she is crowned #TheRealMulan.

An outbreak of protests in Hong Kong flared up after China made extradition to the mainland legal, undermining the judicial system of Hong Kong. The bill was drawn a couple of months after, but Hong Kong protesters said it was “too little, too late,” and are demanding full democracy.

And although Hong Kong has a separate judiciary and legal system, it is still under control of China with limited autonomy.

This has set a ripple effect of violent outbreaks from both the police and protesters along with a set of demands from the latter of the two.

The protesters’ motto is “Five demands, not one less!” The five demands are that they do not want to be seen as a riot, “amnesty for arrested protesters, an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality, implementation of complete and universal suffrage” and withdrawal of the bill which had

already been accomplished.

Where does Agnes Chow have a role in this?

Chow has been active in Hong Kong politics since she was a teenager. At the age of 15 she joined a youth-led movement against the implementation of “moral and national education.”

She has been arrested four times; the fourth being a potential sentence for life on a charge of “colluding with foreign See Mulan, Pg 6

The butterflies of interviewing Deep within your average student reporter’s stomach there’s always going to be butterflies fluttering Aryssa Enriquez before any Editor-in-Chief interview.

This may seem odd for people outside the journalism industry, but for most of us the job consists of talking to strangers and justifying our reasoning behind every question. It’s honestly a little daunting, especially for a rookie reporter.

I wish I could say that

after a year of interviewing people, my fears have drifted, but nope, they are all still there.

A list of questions scrolls down my brain after every event and before any interview.

Who should I ask? What should I ask first? Did I miss something?

Eventually I find my footing, notepad and pen in hand. I introduce myself to a stranger and begin to explain my role as reporter for The South Texan.

As questions begin to slip off my tongue, I feel at ease for inching closer towards my deadline.

I listen carefully to their raw answers. As

a reporter, I’ve learned that some of my most sincere interviews will happen face to face.

However, COVID-19 has caused a change in gears for reporters.

Transitioning our interviews to zoom meetings, emails or calls has become the new norm.

And although it breaks away of what traditional journalism looks like because it enables a rehearsed answer, it allows us to do our work in a safe environment.

Being deprived of a face-to-face interview has made me appreciate how simple things were.

Going to an event and being able to wrangle up

all my sources in minutes is something I took for granted.

I miss the nervous butterflies; I miss rehearsing my questions 15 minutes before walking into a stranger’s office; and I miss the personal feel of an interview.

There’s something about catching the expressions and mannerisms of the person you are interviewing that just makes the job more rewarding.

Although, we have shifted gears in the name of safety, I’m ready to jump back in for a faceto-face interview and a chance to feel butterflies again.

We all deserve to live judgement free One of my biggest pet peeves is when people feel the need to comment on something that doesn’t concern them.

I recently witnessed an experiCalista ence at a Reyes Campus Editor Starbucks that sent me down a spiral on this subject.

I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that if I want to spend $5, $10, $15 or even $20 on coffee then that is my business; it’s a very simple concept called supply and demand. An eye roll and snarky comment isn’t

gonna change my spending habits. Furthermore, how do you know why I’m truly buying it; what if I just don’t want it but need it? What if I was up all night studying? What if I need extra money and I’m having to work a night shift and get home tired and still have school work to do? What if I’m going through something tough that is causing me to lose sleep and I’m counting on that drink to give me a small pocket of peace in my day?

This concept goes further than coffee. Whatever you want to buy is your business. However much money you spend on whatever you buy is

also your business. No one has the right to make you feel guilty for what you want to do with your money or any other thing in your life. This is something that I wish more people would understand as judgement is the poison that starts many conflicts in this world. Another concept I wish more people would understand is how damaging the smallest words can be to someone. People are fighting invisible battles every day and some hide it very well.

The words you choose to say to someone can make or break their day.

Sometimes it may even make or break them. So, you should speak to EV-

ERYONE with the same amount of kindness and respect. I feel that one of our biggest problems in this crazy era that we live in is that we have selective kindness. We only give it to people we feel deserve it, which is sometimes understandable as you should by no means allow mean people to walk all over you, but sometimes we deny kindness to someone for ridiculous reasons such as difference of opinion. That’s not okay and needs to stop. That is truly damaging and I urge everyone, including myself, to try harder to make a kinder world.

Our world is in desperate need of it.

Dylan Dozier

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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

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Letters to the Editor Letters must be typed, signed and include a phone number. Letters considered for publication must be 300 words or fewer. Letters may be emailed to chief.editor@thesouthtexan.com The South Texan, Manning Hall 165, Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas 78363

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September 15, 2020

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Wright adapts to virtual teaching English professor displays ingenuity amidst new norm Sarah Reyna |Reporter

Adaptation is difficult for anybody. Having a disability thrown in the mix makes change even more challenging. For Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s (TAMUK) English Professor Dr. Pamela Wright, the transition from in-person classes to virtual teaching because of COVID-19 has stripped her of the interaction she enjoys with her students.

“I love being in the classroom with my students; I love that energy,” Wright said. “The transition to remote teaching and learning has taken that away from me.”

While video conferences help alleviate some of the missed interaction with students, it does not completely fulfill the desire for hands-on learning.

Not only have teachers had to adapt to these changes, but the students have as well. Wright’s students adjusted to her style of teaching and the way she set up her classroom to accommodate her needs.

Wright is deaf and has a cochlear implant, which From Mulan, Pg 5

-forces.” However, because of mass support and petitions, Chow was released on bail.

Because of her pro-democratic ideals, Chow has been banned from running in legislative elections along with pro-independent activist Andy Chan back in 2016.

Chow has since started a petition to challenge this ban.

An outcry broke out

has presented some additional challenges with online learning.

In face-to-face classes students used speakers in her classroom that connected to her implant.

Wright also had a blue cube which had a microphone inside, that would get thrown around the classroom for students to speak into. With these adaptations, her students were able to communicate with her with little to no difficulty.

Because of these difficult times of having to go strictly remote, Wright has not been able to direct her classes as she would in face-to-face lectures.

Although the change has brought challenges along the way, many of the students who are taking her class have noticed that the change to asynchronous learning has not deterred Wright’s attitude towards teaching.

“Dr. Wright has done a great job adapting,” student Emma Hodges said.

“Her passion for the literature she teaches shines through just as clearly as when she teaches in-per-

son.”

An additional challenge of this transition is that Wright does not have a full-time interpreter, which results in occasionally making communication with students somewhat difficult.

Although TAMUK does provide Wright with an interpreter during meetings and presentations,

when Mulan actress Liu Yifei tweeted her support for Hong Kong police despite the movement to end police brutality towards Hong Kong protesters.

Since then, protesters have called for a boycott of the Mulan movie and titled Agnes Chow as the real Mulan. It’s quite contradictory for any person to play a heroine role who breaks the boundaries of social norms and fights for her country from to-

tal invasion and control yet supports police who brutalize protesters for wanting reform.

Agnes Chow’s efforts for reformation resonates the characteristics of the legend of Mulan.

Chow is fighting for her country, her people, and her future despite the arrests and potential danger that face her.

Chow is the real Mulan and a real-life inspiration for all.

Submitted

Dr. Wright working remotely

Aryssa Enriquez

The Student and Community Resources Repository assists students in many areas.

From Social work, Pg 1

better help students. Since the pandemic hit, Martinez and Interim Associate Vice President for Student Success Dr. Shannon Baker have worked with students to develop a way to be able to make more resources accessible to Javelinas.

“My role as a social work student in the repository is to keep it updated and keep trying to expand it to different regions in order for our Javelinas to be able to ac-

quire help anywhere they are at and not just the city of Kingsville. This can include regional, state and nationwide resources,” Prisila Peña-Nieto, social work student, said.

The repository is available to students 24/7, but if a student needs additional help through the process of applying to some of the services, they can contact The Student and Community Resources Repository for further assistance.

“We in Student Success realize that students

sometimes have difficulty staying focused on their studies because of financial and personal challenges, and students don’t have good information about resources available to help them,” Baker said.

“That is where our Social Work referral services come in to help. Please note that health and mental health issues are referred to Student Health and Wellness. We encourage students to reach out to us for help. That’s why we are here.”

she does not get one for her courses. “[The transition] is not without its difficulties at times—especially for a deaf person who relies on lip reading and interpreters to help,” Wright said.

Throughout these difficult circumstances with COVID-19, Wright has not let it affect her teachings.

During this time, she

has relied on uploading lectures and having video conferences with the students. While this does not completely feel the same as in-person teaching, it helps in lessening the missing of the interaction with students.

Although this makes the adjustment more difficult, it does not deter Wright’s ability to help

students understand what she is teaching.

“Even with this change, Dr. Wright is still able to teach the fundamentals of literature and learning,” student Kyra Clark said.

Despite the challenges of having to move her courses online, Wright has proven that anything is possible with the ability to adapt to the changes.