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Texas A &M University-Kingsville Award-Winning Student Publication Tuesday, October 6, 2020
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Vol. 95 Issue 6
Lucio Hall fire system updated Residents slated for mid-October move Victoria Marquez| Contributing Writer
Lucio Hall’s new fire alarm system is operational and students who will reside on the third and fourth floors are expected to move in sometime in mid-October. Contractors are finished with the fire alarm system itself and is now painting and cleaning up. “Completion of the replacement took longer than expected…” Interim Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Construction Christopher Vera said. “The health and safety of our students is always our primary concern.” On Sept. 4, students who were assigned a room on the second to fourth floors received another email noting the delay in the move-in date once again. “First-floor students were able to move-in during Move-In Day in August and second-floor students moved in Sept.16 to 18,” Vera said. “We anticipate that students with room assignments on the third floor of Lucio Hall will be able to move in their rooms by Oct. 13 and fourth floor students will be moving in soon after that.” Students who chose to stay home were upset about the delays but are now happy they may be able to move in this month. “I am constantly exposed to a distracting enSee Lucio, Pg 6
Ronni Reyna
Lucio Hall is set to open by mid-October.
Online
Beat
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TAMUK students come together to reckon with racial injustice.
Reactions to a Backslide Students, faculty unite amidst racism complaints Aryssa Enriquez | Editor-in-Chief chief.editor@thesouthtexan.com
Recent events and allegations at Texas A&M University-Kingsville have made race and diversity a topic of discussion on campus. The university has a rich history of being at the forefront of change and diversity. Javelina football coach Gil Steinke was a pioneer of collegiate sports integration. In the ’60s, Javelina students helped ignite the Chicano movement, advocating for equality amongst whites and Hispanics. TAMUK was also the first university to offer a doctorate in bilingual education. Now, 60 years later the nation is still demanding a change for better treatment of minorities. And, that change is being sought on this campus as well with current and former faculty and staff noting disparities across races at the university. The death of George Floyd in May in police custody sparked a movement and opened conversations about minority treatment across the country. Floyd was recruited by Javelina Nation to play football from 1995 to 1997. Upon learning about the tragic death of Floyd the
campus closed in recognition of his memorial service on June 8. A week after the university announced this, it received reports of racism and offensive messages on social media. To further escalate the issue, a Snapchat video of a white teen pointing to a group of black individuals playing basketball near the dormitories and calling them racial slurs went viral on Twitter. “If they act up, we might have to euthanize these [racial slur omitted], just like the cop did that one” is heard during the 30-second video. Although the white male was not an enrolled student at the university, TAMUK officials quickly addressed the issue in a press release. “The University is taking appropriate action to inform the individuals that their conduct is not consistent with the values and expectations of our community. Javelina Nation disavows racism and intolerance and is committed to a culture of inclusivity and respect,” according to a statement released June 11. In response to Floyd’s death, members of Javelina Nation and the Kingsville community gathered
and peacefully marched through downtown advocating for Black Lives Matter. “I don’t think there is a race issue on campus, although I would say that in the past, I did think that there was not enough representation for many of the minorities on campus. However, since the tragic death of George Floyd I have the gotten the opportunity to see the campus unify and come together and show us that they care and stand with us,” Christen Williams, president of Black Student Union, said. With many social injustices coming to light, former safeties’ coach Alfred Rowe came forward with a 2019 complaint accusing athletic employees of racist acts. The complaint filed in August 2019 alleged that a male trainer told a Black female trainer to “use a string or rope to hang herself.” The complaint also included an incident in which graduate assistants gathered off campus to watch Django Unchained and took shots of alcohol every time the N-word was used. “Hard ‘R’ Thursday” was introduced by one of the trainers and was used on and off campus to refer to Black students.
Rowe would like an apology because of how the situation was handled. TAMUK officials say they take allegations on discrimination very seriously. An investigation occurred and declared Rowe’s allegations were unsubstantial because he wasn’t directly targeted. Former football staff have publicly supported
Rowe’s allegations. Groups on campus have formed in attempt to promote diversity or gain representation at the university. During the summer, the Hispanic Faculty Council formed with the intention of having a direct voice to the president and provost. See Racism, Pg 6
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Protestors proclaim their aversion to police brutality.
Journey to the Center of Music
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Band director follows passion to Kingsville
Virtual Career Fair
Gabriella Mastroianni | Reporter
Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) is holding a virtual all major Career Fair from 11 a.m. to 4p.m., on Wednesday, Oct.7.
Submitted Photos
Schrader and his family pose at a Javelina football game. .
The bleachers screech as shuffled footsteps rub against the metal seats. A conjunction of sounds and movements blur the stadium. Euphonium fills the ears of every being for miles, for the band blares its highest and lowest pitches that intertwine in perfect melody. The Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) Javelina Marching Band makes its way down to
the field to perform its half-time show. Energy surges amongst the band members as they mentally prepare themselves for their rendition of AC/DC. The drum line starts the clicks, leading the band onto the field in rhythm. “Let’s have a good show everybody!” Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Bands Dr. George Schrader said as he walked off the field, turned and watched his band, under his tutelage, ready to prove itself. That may have been a previous season, but each one is memorable to the band director.
Every moment of Schrader’s life has led him all the way to this moment, to this university, to South Texas, the Down Under of the United States. A decade after his birth in Midland, Mich., in 1982, Schrader’s natural gift for music revealed itself in the fourth grade. At that time, Schrader was selected in an elementary and middle school honors choir at Western Michigan University. From there his journey began. “Even before I was in fourth grade, I attended my church, which sang See Schrader, Pg 6
Campus
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October 6, 2020
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DIY tie-dye t-shirts to dye for Students enjoy a creative break from schoolwork
CalistaReyes| Campus Editor Campus.editor@thesouthtexan.edu
Last week the CAB hosted a DIY T-shirt event at the Javelina Student Engagement Center. Students were able to pick their plain white
T-shirt, soak it in water then pick a table. Due to social distancing rules there was a limit of four students per table as well as every student needing to keep six feet apart while in line to get their shirts. On the table were all the necessary tools to tie dye. There were gloves, four different colors of dye, and rubber bands. Students were then able to choose what pattern they wanted to dye their shirts in. In addition to dying shirts there was also snacks like chips and
Finished t-shirts resting in plastic bags
Calista Reyes
freshly made popcorn. The Halloween spirit was also present with music that was perfect for October. “The Campus Activities Board had been thinking about doing a tie-dye event for awhile now. So when at a general meeting a member suggested tie-dye and the majority of our members were very positive to the idea, we knew that our student body also wanted this event,” CAB President Lizzetty Lara said. Students were ecstatic that they got a break from doing schoolwork. “My favorite part of this whole event was that we were able to come take a break from school for awhile. It helped me take my mind off other things.” sophomore Velen Leonor said. “I would for sure like to do another event like this; it was so fun plus I felt really safe, eveyone kept their masks on and respected the rules,” Leonor said. This event also gave students the opportunity to do something new. “I had tie-dyed a shirt before but that was back in the third grade so I don’t think that counts
Velen Leonor and Joyce Menchaca dying their tshirts.
since my teacher helped me; so doing it on my own was pretty awesome,” sophomore Joyce Menchaca said. “It was really enjoyable and I got to do it with my friends which was really nice since we are all always swamped with homework we only get to truly hang out once in a blue moon,” Menchaca said. There were also tables set up outside on the back patio for students to sit and enjoy their snacks once they were
finished with their shirts which also helped make space inside so more students could go in. “We were very happy with the turnout of students for this event. We had a lot of people especially at the beginning of the event, with some even bringing personal items they wanted to dye.” Lara said. We hope that students were able to have a relaxing time tuning into their own creativity surrounded by friends, as well as being able to hopefully
Calista Reyes
make new connections,” Lara said. The CAB is currently planning a “Paint your own” event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 3 at the pavillion. “You are able to paint a coaster or picture frame ( provided by CAB) and there are more events in the works,” Lara said. To keep up with the CAB and to watch out for any upcoming event you can follow them on their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ tamukcab.
Aliens, mystery, time travel CAB hosts Escape room event Tyrese Ross|Contributing Writer
Trying to escape two difficult rooms with nothing but your intelligence and a flash light is hard. Trying to escape those rooms while stuck in the 1950s with eight complete strangers is harder. With the on-going pandemic and all the precautions that the university has to take in order to keep the students and staff safe, groups were enthusiastic about the escape room activity hosted by the CAB, in the Student Union Building last Monday. Because of social distancing in the class environment, as well as online classes,
students have not been able to fully socialize with one another. Getting the opportunity to participate in this activity not only challenged their minds but, provided much needed interaction with new people. Things were highly sanitized and well displayed for students to have fun while also remaining safe. The scenario of the escape room was a group of eight travelers sent to the 1950s to rescue their lost uncle from aliens. Yes! Aliens are real and in-fact there was an alien inside of a body bag in one of the rooms. Participants started off in a dark, tented room with boxes that had locks on them and had to use their wits to put clues together and figure out codes. Each group had 20 minutes per room after a group existed one room another entered. Getting a chance to see
people enjoy their time together and interact with each other was fun for many. “My group didn’t finish as fast as expected and we struggled but the escape room guider helped us through it,” student Marcus Jones said. Groups of students with different majors and who come from different parts of the world didn’t let that stop them for trying to find their “missing uncle.” “I’ve done a maze room before and what I enjoyed about this the most was being challenged to see things in the dark or with the help of your partner’s flashlight, it’s not so easy putting in combinations with one hand,” Ja Robertson said. Others agreed. “This school activity brought back so many memories from last year; it was fun,” student Casey Brooks said.
Dr. Elizabeth Janzen and Dr. Andrea Vos- Rochefort performing.
Dr. Oscar Diaz
School of Music leads Teach In event Virtual concert with a message ClarissaOrtiz|Contributing Writer
The School of Music faculty at Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK) hosted a Teach In called “Diversity is Our Inspiration” on Tuesday, Sept. 29 in the School of Music Performance Hall. The event was sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences with Women & Gender Studies to celebrate the diverse community at TAMUK. The Teach In showcased several performances from the staff playing various instruments, singing and even a virtual performance from Dr. Ann Fronckowiak. Viewers were able to attend the event either in person or watch it live virtually from their homes. Dr. Elizabeth Janzen, associate professor of music, performed
“Childplay” by Leslie Uyeda and “Us” by Bradley Harris, which was a duet with clarinetist Andrea Vos-Rochefort. Janzen said the events of 2020 “made me think about how music has historically been a conduit for messages of social-commentary, protest and cultural expression.” “My colleagues at the School of Music and I want to promote these voices today and share those thoughts and musical ideas with our community,” she said. Other performances included Dr. Jesse Orth performing “Un Dia en la Vida” by Jose Flores and Nancy Lanmon Munn singing Two Spirituals - “This Little Light of Mine” and “Guide My Feet Lord” arranged by Jacqueline Hairston. Both Orth and Munn agreed that they would want to take part in another event like this one. Munn even went on to applaud the students at TAMUK who took part in the peaceful Black Lives Matter march. “Continuing the conversations started by the events of this year are
important and I think artistic performances can help us with this difficult and vital task,” Munn said. Dr. Thomas Zinninger assistant professor of saxophone/jazz, also took part in this event with Gerardo (Jerry) Espinoza playing a tune composed by Clifford Brown, who was an African-American jazz trumpet player. Zinninger explained that the faculty really enjoyed performing in the event. “I hope that the viewers were able to sit back and enjoy some quality music, whether that be through relaxation, intellectual stimulation, or just general interest,” he said. “We are all going through trying times, so hopefully our presentation provided a little break from the daily grind.” Overall, much of the faculty agreed the recital was a huge success in showcasing the diversity of music and how it can be used to express passion and connect people together, especially during this year.
Entertainment
October 6, 2020
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Movies to kick off Halloween season OCTOBER MOVIE GUIDE
H O C U S P O C U S H A L L O W E E N T O W N T H E N I G H T M A R E B E F O R E C H R I S T M A S C A S P E R G H O S T B U S T E R S B E E T L E J U I C E I T N I G H T M A R E O N E L M S T R E E T H A L L O W E E N 1 & 2 T H E S H I N I N G F R I D A Y T H E 1 3 T H C L A S S I C M O N S T E R M O V I E S S C R E A M
Streaming services, virtual group watching still possible CalistaReyes|Campus Editor
Campus.editor@thesouthtexan.com
The spooky season has officially arrived. You may be worried about this Halloween season being a bit of drag since we can’t do all of the things we used to do due to social distancing rules, etc. However movie nights are still a great way to have fun and celebrate. It can be a full-on event with decorations, festive snacks and friends. You can lay down your coziest blankets
and pillows, make a fort and even get a small projector if you would like to go all out. If you are going to be watching with others make sure you are following all safety precautions. Along with movies there are some spooky shows that are honorable mentions like Hannibal, Stranger Things, Supernatural, Mindhunter and Lucifer. If you cannot physically be together with family or friends Netflix, Disney+ and Facebook have made it possible to
watch movies together virtually. There are so many great spooky films out there to get you in the spirit that it would take all day to list them all but pictured here is a list of some of the best. Some of the movies are spooky and some are downright terrifying, it’s up to you which level of scary you want to experience. All of the films on this list can be found on streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney +, and Amazon Prime Video.
Photo by www.innersloth.com/gameAmongUs.php
Among Us offers new Halloween features GabriellaMastroianni |Reporter
Initially released on June 15, 2018, Among Us has become a popular trending game that has sparked up memes, parodies, art pieces and animated videos. It’s also popular amongst the gaming Youtubers such as Markiplier, Jackcepticeye, JoshDub, MrBeast Gaming, PewDiePie and many others. Even other games such as Sims 4 and Fortnite are making parodies of the game. Among Us is a multiplayer social deduction game created by InnerSloth. It’s a space-themed game in which some players are crewmates and some imposters. It is the crewmate’s job to finish all the tasks and to catch the imposters. The imposter’s is to kill all the crewmates
without being caught. As a player you can choose your color, put on fun hats, skins and even have pets that follow you around the game. With Halloween coming up, new spooky and cute hats were added such as the Michael Myers face mask, machete hat, pumpkin hat and many more. Most of the hats and pets come in a bundle, so paying $2.99 for three or even eight things is a good deal. The game itself is fun, thrilling and somewhat frustrating. The art is sweet and simple; the characters are cute and colorful and do not need to have incredible detail to look great. Players can also add friends to a game using a code to enter. Among Us is a great game to help people interact with one another
during this pandemic. However, the game does come with some problems. The game is now experiencing serious glitches, lags and disconnecting issues. Since we can never have good things for very long, players have also figured out how to hack the game as well. Also, when the game is first installed a notice pops up warning players that the game creators have no control over what ads are being used and what they do to collect information. After reading the ad policy these ads are incredibly invasive, so it’s best to just pay the $1.99 for an ad-free game. Overall, Among Us is an amazing game and highly addicting. Among Us 2 has been confirmed and is now in the works. There is no set released date.
How to adult: Debating Ronni Reyna|News Editor
News.editor@thesouthtexan.com
Debating is an essential skill especially if you want to be a political leader, but it’s also something everyone does almost every single day. Debating can be in the form of decision-making or even argumentation. If you are going to actually debate someone or be the next President you need to know how to have a structured debate and argument. A real debate will always consist of two opposing sides. Each side should have time to state their point and argument and when they have concluded the statement the opposing side will get time to rebuttal. This pattern repeats itself until the allotted
time of the debate has run out or both parties feel satisfied with their statements and can reach an agreement. Debating is a way for two sides to prove their point and build on their stated argument. And there are several instances in which a structured debate can solve many issues. One obvious form is a political debate. Two or more candidates debate against each other to help the voter decide which candidate best supports their policies or offers the better solution. Another way debating can come in handy is if you, a classmate or a friend have a disagreement and need help seeing their perspective and point. Having a debate over
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a disagreement can help both parties reach an agreement or compromise to the problem. As in most things in life there are rules to debating. There should be a moderator to help allot time and give turns to each opponent and make sure they are following the rules. Interrupting during a debate should not happen. Everyone will get a turn and you just have to be patient and wait. Debates are made for everyone to get their fair share of time to make and prove their points. If you find yourself in the middle of a debate make sure to be respectful to the other side, wait your turn and do not interrupt the opposing side and remember to stay civil.
SPORTS
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October 6, 2020
Indoor, beach volleyball back in action Blue and Gold takes on first day of practice
JacquelineBarrera| Sports Editor sports.editor@thesouthtexan.com
The Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK) indoor and beach volleyball teams have recently begun fall training in preparation towards the spring season. With recent challenges brought upon by COVID-19, athletes and coaches have been thankful to continue with conditioning despite any rules or restrictions. Tanya Allen, head beach/indoor volleyball coach, feels excited knowing both teams are
back on the court. “We have some really big expectations for a lot of new kids on our roster so it is nice to be able to put them to work and teach them several things,” Allen told Javelina Athletics. “Mentally our girls were ready to return to the court, eager to get working. Mentally we have had great practices but physically speaking, it has been a while since they have had this kind of training. I hope our teams will be ready, especially having a lot of new faces within our indoor program.” Allen talked about her beach program as well. “Our beach squad has plenty of familiar faces that allow things to run a bit more fluid-
ly. But we have plenty of time to ease things and allow our players to know what is expected of them,” she said. With the excitement of fall sports making their return to Javelina nation, many supporters and students are anxious to catch some live action. TAMUK senior, Karina Deleon, said that sports returning is a positive thing to look forward to. “Attending athletic events is always fun and allows you to create unforgettable experiences,” Deleon said. “Of course, safety regulations can be followed while still enjoying games, but I know many Javelina fans, myself included, are looking forward to the en-
ergetic atmosphere that comes with supporting the blue and gold.” Both volleyball teams have continued to create team goals for themselves this season. Nicole Murff, returning libero for the Javelinas, said she is excited to return to practice with her fellow teammates. “It was exciting to get back to practicing with the team, even if we were split up in groups. We have many new faces on the team so we are working on building up team chemistry,” Murff said. “We are having our hitters connect with our new setters. Lastly our goal is to always win and to get better as we’re moving along in the season.”
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Meghan Merlino getting ready to make a pass.
Javelina Athletics
Coaches prepping for Spring seasons Blue and Gold anxious to begin competition DylanSanchez| Reporter
Now that October has arrived, the time is ticking down for fall sports to prepare for this unorthodox start to their new campaigns. Javelina Football Head Coach Michael Salinas is in his first year as head coach and this start to his tenure is not ideal, but his players and fellow coaching staff are keeping heads high and eyes forward to a successful year no matter the amount of games that will be played. “It’s just like any other season; we’re preparing for the spring instead of the fall. It’s just pushed back a little farther but it’s just more time prepare,” said junior linebacker Deantione Carter. As awkward as it seems, and as unique as it seems, this has happened before as far as playing football in the spring. Football did not become a fall sport until the year 1906, when the forward pass was integrated into the game but history aside, this is only
a minor set-back in the eyes of the coaches here at TAMUK. “Our mindset is to get our players in the best shape possible because it is different for them as well for us and we are just trying to keep them in the best shape so they can be ready for the season,” Tight Ends Coach Parker Cundiff said. The Javelina men’s basketball team is also grinding to get ready for the season as well. The season will start as normal for the team presumably, but the steps needed to be taken because of rules given by NCAA officials has Head Basketball Coach Johnny Estelle making adjustments, but still plans to be the model of excellence for the community that is Kingsville. “Ultimately, as leaders on our campus and future leaders in our society, it is imperative that we maintain a positive outlook through our daily actions and decisions. People are always watching and we need to be examples on a daily basis,” Estelle
Devin Milburn waiting for the play to begin.
Javelina Athletics
Javelina Athletics
Women’s team starting the race off strong.
Lady Hogs claim team title at 2020 Javelina Invitational TAMUK women’s program makes clean sweep JacquelineBarrera| Sports Editor sports.editor@thesouthtexan.com
The Texas A&M University – Kingsville cross country program hosted the 2020 Javelina Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Javelina Stadium. Both men and women representing the blue and gold had a stellar performance, including an overall perfect team score to clinch the women’s program a team title. Freshman Beyonce Hernandez placed fourth overall and said the excitement of competing on the home turf of Javelina Nation was surreal. “It was exciting to host a cross country meet,” Hernandez said. “This was my second collegiate meet and having the chance to showcase our hard work as a team on our home turf was a thrill. Both sides of our program did an amazing job overall. We as a program work so hard every morning, it feels amazing knowing and watching our hardwork pay off.” The Javelinas would then follow with three freshmen filling the positions of sixth, seventh and eighth. Crossing the line were Melonie Thomas, Cassandra Lozano and Haley Villalpando.
Thomas, a Seguin native, said the energy was high on Saturday afternoon. “Our teams were thrilled to compete on our campus in front of our friends and family,” Thomas said. “The energy was high and our adrenaline was pumping. I was incredibly satisfied with our overall performance, but every week is a chance to get better and better. We are determined to progress as a program within these next couple of weeks.” Thomas continued. “From the beginning our team set a goal to be nothing less than consistent. We as a team will continue to strive for the most every morning at practice and every weekend on the course,” she said. Senior Larissa Sanchez Gonzalez made her season debut with a time of 28:03.11 and claimed 10th place as an individual. The men’s side was led by junior Reyes Rodriguez, who finished seventh overall with a time of 31:12.53. Trailing right behind was freshman Gerado Gallardo, who finished in eighth. Senior David Tellez finished ninth for the Hogs and said the team’s performance was impressive. “Every course has its challenges and every runner has their days,” Tellez said. “The support of our friends, families and coaches
out here on the course was incredible. Every week we spend numerous amounts of hours training. It feels good to know that little by little it is paying off. As a senior it is a bitter feeling knowing this will be my
last competing, but the memories and excitement are feelings that will last a lifetime.” The blue and gold will continue to move forward this season as they prepare for competition in San Angelo on Oct. 16.
Javelina Athletics
Larissa Sanchez Gonzalez competiting in a cross country meet.
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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.”
Spooky Season Creative ways to celebrate Halloween during COVID-19 It’s finally October, which means it’s officially Spooky Season. Sadly, due to the pandemic, people are more than likely not participating in trick-orGabriella Mastroianni treating or Reporter attending Halloween parties. But that does not mean we cannot thoroughly enjoy this wonderfully scary holiday! Here are some suggestions on how to make this year’s Halloween just as great as years previous. If you are living with siblings or have children of your own, they are probably bummed about not being able to trickor-treat. Here are a few great substitutes that will keep the kids eager and excited for the thrill of candy. Combine Easter egg hunts with Halloween; here’s how you do it: hide candy around the house in various places and have the kids search for them. Make sure to be creative with the hiding spots. Another idea that would be a hit with the kids is to create riddles for them that will lead them to a treasure mound of candy. For the adults, if you typically attend parties on Halloween, this year host a virtual party with friends. All attendees will provide their own
snacks and spooky decorations, and everyone can join a virtual call and party together. If you live with roommates, you can just have a small party amongst yourselves. Walmart sells Halloween-themed piñatas which will be great for those living with roommates or with children. Other great activities to do are binge watching Halloween movies, creating Halloween-themed food such as cookies, cakes, etc., make DIY crafts, carving pumpkins, or create your own haunted house for your roommates or family. Some of the greatest movies that help get into the spooky mood are Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, the Harry Potter series, Casper, Halloween, any Tim Burton movie ever, and many more. Also, there are great DIY crafts and recipes you can find on YouTube such as the HGTV Handmade channel and foodnetwork.com. Even though we are suffering through a pandemic we can still find ways to have fun during the holidays even if we cannot physically go to places or be around people. We, as human beings, have a miraculous way of turning a negative situation into something positive. Let’s keep up the spirit of Halloween and celebrate safely, and remember we are all in this together.
Our Opinion: First debate was chaos
The first Presidential Debate of 2020 left many Americans questioning the fate of our country’s future. The two candidates presented their arguments in a format that was far from a debate. Each candidate interrupted each other in a childish manner, discrediting the entire debate. The Presidential candidates failed to represent themselves as a leader and policy maker. Each candidate left vital information to the viewers’ imagination. The interruptions during the debate led to bickering and off topic conversations that should have never been brought up or talked about during the Presidential debate, therefore leading to little policy or actual Presidential debating. The purpose of the debate is for each candidate to prove their truth, and the interruptions and hindrances during the debate left no room for the candidates to offer their view or argue for their position. If the next two Presidential debates [if they are held] are anything like this first one it seems that once again the American people will be left in the position of basing their votes on the minimum amount of information that they were able to absorb during the
Calista Reyes
chaos. We can only hope in the following two debates the candidates hold some sort of respect for each other’s point of view. How can the country peacefully move forward in a way that is beneficial to every American citizen and harbored immigrant? It is this kind of behavior and poor leadership that has and will continue to hinder the progression of this country. The
hatred and disagreement that lies between both parties hindered the progression of the debate. With each side refusing and being unable to present their goals as the next President, this debate served as a metaphor for the future of our country. Leaders are supposed to set the example, but this debate has proven that it may be up to the American people to set the example for our-
selves as we clearly cannot always count on our officials to act accordingly. No matter for whom you are voting it is clear that moving forward and striving to find peace in the country can only be done when our leaders can have a productive, proactive and fair conversation. It’s time for real conversations, it’s time for action, not insults or name calling.
Your voice is your vote Voting is essential to this year’s presidential election. No matter how you vote or who you choose to vote for, it’s important Ronni that you Reyna do it. Joe News Editor Biden and Donald Trump are the biggest names on the ballot this year, and yes you should choose one of them. As much as you may want to write-in someone else or skip the president section, it’s a
mistake you do not want make. Third party votes and write-ins are dangerous, they can hinder one party and push the other to excel in the popular vote. You make think these candidates are not the best fit to run our country, and you may be right, but one of them will be the next president and you get a voice in helping to decide. This election is important for the future of this country and you get a say in who you think should run it. Don’t just vote by party to maintain loyalty, re-
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search each candidate to know the pros and cons to each before heading to the polls. Your decision is an important one and it should be thought over. This election year will go down in history as quite possibly the messiest election in American history, and it’s up to you to help fix that. Every American citizen gains the right to vote when they turn 18. Voting is a privilege and a way to voice your opinion, and you must use that voice to help decide the future of our country.
If you can’t make it to your home state or city to vote, request an absentee ballot. It’s easy and takes only a few minutes online. There is no excuse to not vote if you’re registered. You’ve been given a voice and you need to use it. Do not take this election lightly. Vote, it’s in your best interest that you do so. We only vote for a president every four years and you do not want to miss the chance this presidential election; it’s too important. Use your voice and go out and vote.
Dylan Dozier Managing Editor managing.editor@thesouthtexan.com
Ronni Reyna
Reporters Sarah Reyna Gabriella Mastroianni Dylan Sanchez
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From Racism, Pg 1
“Initially we started the council to try to get more Hispanic tenured track faculty. That sort of turned into other issues that we know we have… We don’t have a lot of administrators who are Hispanic, we don’t have any curriculum that is being highlighted to do Hispanic work. We have a couple of programs that have not been funded. Those are just some of the problems we have, if we are going to maintain and grow as a university, we need to make sure that our students feel comfortable and at home,” Dr. Alberto Rodriguez, associate professor of history and member of the council, said. The Hispanic Faculty Council believes the university could be doing more to highlight the work of Hispanics. In August, the university announced the formation of the Climate Diversity and Inclusion Committee. This From Lucio, Pg 1
vironment at home,” one student said. “The start of my college career was not ideal, but I know once I walk through the door, I will be in a much better environment.” This student is not the only one who feels this way about having to stay home because of the delays. Some students may have a difficult time trying to get their family to fully understand and acknowledge that just because they are at home does not mean they are not doing schoolwork. “I find it difficult at
Committee is dedicated to creating a safe atmosphere in which students, faculty and staff feel valued and respected. “The TAMUK President’s Council on Climate, Diversity and Inclusion recognizes and appreciates the importance of creating an environment in which all students, faculty, staff and community members feel valued, included and empowered to do their best. We recognize that each person’s unique experience, perspective and viewpoint add value to our campus, our community and beyond. The Council seeks to recommend ideas and strategies that will improve respect, diversity and inclusion at the University while creating a place for civil, safe, and respectful dialogue among groups who share different ideas,” Henry Burgos, co-chair of the Climate Diversity Inclusion Committee, said. times having to tell family that although I’m home, I am still taking classes online and that they shouldn’t distract me,” another student said. “I think if I were at a dorm room setting, I would be able to concentrate more and be able to be more productive.” Despite alternative living options, they thought the better choice would be to stay at home for just a short period of time. They are glad that they will hopefully get to move into Lucio Hall in October. *Students names were withheld to protect privacy.
News From Schrader, Pg 1
all of their music acapella,” Schrader said. “Our pastor at the time, and his wife were both excellent musicians, and a lot for me in my early musical training. My ear for music grew tremendously in my young years.” He began playing the trumpet in the fifth grade. A year later Schrader won the position of first chair in the trumpet section. In the summer leading to seventh grade he attended the Blue Lake Summer Music Camp which neighbored Muskegon, Mich. During his time there, he entered as a trumpet player and left as an alto voice for the Blue Lake International Mixed Choir after auditioning. This gave Schrader the opportunity to travel to Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands at just 13 years old. Schrader was involved in band, choir and chorale while attending South Haven High School, an institution “blessed to have a quality music program.” For three years, Schrader was drum major of his marching band, a regular member of All-State ensembles and graduated with honors. And in 2002, Schrader marched in DCI (Drum Corps International) for the Phantom Regiment. He first attended Michigan State University (MSU), where he was a member of the Spartan Brass marching band, the basketball pep band and the concert ensembles. Schrader then transferred to Spring Arbor University
October 6, 2020
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in Spring Arbor, Mich., at which he then flourished in his classes. He graduated in 2007 with a B.A in Music Education. A few months before his graduation in 2007, Schrader was accepted in the master’s program at the University of New Mexico. After accepting the offer, he made the move down to Albuquerque a couple of months after graduation. During that school year, Schrader taught part-time at La Cueva High School as the Assistant Director of Bands. He shortly dropped out of the master’s program to work full-time for four years because of financial needs. Before dropping out, however, Schrader met Whitney, a euphonium and sousaphone player. The two worked for the Farmington and Bloomfield districts in New Mexico. After three years, they wed in 2010. From there, Whitney and George Schrader moved to three different states from 2013 to 2019, which led them to the University of Wyoming in Laramie, at which Schrader was given the opportunity to direct the largest marching band (235 members) in Laramie’s school history. A year later, in mid-2016, Schrader was accepted into the doctoral program in wind conducting at the University of Oklahoma, and he and Whitney moved for the second time. In between that time, Whitney and George Schrader had their first child, Norah. During Spring 2019,
Amanda DeFrees
Schrader condutcs the Javelina band. .
Schrader earned the position of Interim Associate Director of Bands at TAMUK, which he took as a permanent position in the Spring 2020. He is currently the director of the Javelina Marching band, TAMUK Concert Band, assists the university bands and teaches undergraduate music education courses. “The phone calls were not coming, and our stress was extremely high due to an unknown future,” Whitney said. “Finally, early in the summer, he received an offer to interview at TAMUK, [and] was later offered the position as Interim Associate Director of Bands, and we agreed he should accept. […] George moved in late July that summer (2019), and I continued to work in Norman until September, when I finally had a job lined up in Corpus Christi. Living apart for almost two months was very hard. We have committed to not letting that ever happen again, so we hope we can indeed avoid that in the future.” Now a band director at TAMUK, Schrader says he enjoys having a connection with young musicians by providing a venue “where students
can collaborate, create, develop, grow and mature.” “Dr. Schrader is a good fit for our marching program and is an all-around decent man,” Music major and French Horn player Gilberto Salinas said. “I truly feel like, as a band director, he has a lot of great ideas that he is implementing whilst running our marching band program. [...] I believe that he will be able to boost our marching band program to the next level.” Back onto the field, the Javelina Marching Band finishes its last note, with fists in the air as they strike their last pose and immerses themselves in the roaring cheers coming from the stands. They march off toward a beaming Schrader as he shouts his approval. This is his band, his work, his passion, his present and his future. “Though our journey to this point has had both ups and downs, I am extremely happy for my husband and proud of his accomplishments,” Whitney said. “We look forward to many years now of life without graduate school, and simply being a loving family while enjoying the many adventures life has to offer.”
PARTNERING WITH CATTLE IN MOTION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
3 P.M. Swine Showmanship, Show Arena
8 A.M., Junior Horse Show, Rodeo
5 P.M. Market Swine Show, Show Arena
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
6 P.M., Queen’s Pageant , Merchant’s Building
8 A.M., Market Rabbit Show, West Show Arena
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
10 A.M., Breeding Gilt Show, Show Arena
10 A.M. – Commercial Heifer Sale Pen of 2– Special Replacement Heifer
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
Sale, Gulf Coast Livestock Auction Barn
10 A.M., Market Steer Show, Show Arena
6 P.M., Weigh/Sift/Show Poultry, West Show Arena
(Heifer Shows Immediately Following the Steer Show)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21 - Official Opening Day
5 P.M., Overall Showmanship Contest, Show Arena
8 A.M., Market Lamb Show, Show Arena
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
Market Goat Show 30 Minute after Market Lamb Show, Show Arena
1 P.M., Presentation of Scholarships, Show Arena
10:30 A.M., Opening Ceremony, Show Arena
2 P.M., Junior Livestock Auction Sale, Show Arena