The South Texan Vol. 96 Issue 9

TheSouthTexan

Texas A&M University-Kingsville Award-Winning Student Publication

Eastman out as softball coach

Interim Coach Salinas named

Three weeks into the season, Javelina Softball Coach

Submitted Photo

Douglas

Eastman has been replaced.

Student rescues mother from Ukraine

planes in the air, and no sirens blaring the warning of incoming missiles.

When Inna Titova stepped out of the Houston airport in December, she was in awe of the clear blue skies overhead, the sight of nonmilitary

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After 10 months of living in war-torn Ukraine, Inna was safe.

Oleksandr Zhalkovskyi, a master student in the Communication Sciences

and Disorders program at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, had one goal for the December holiday break - bring his mother to safety.

Oleksandr was born and raised in Ukraine and at the start of the war, his

mother and grandmother remained in Ukraine, along with his cousins and several other family members.

“I just did not know what’s next and that’s probably what was the scariest emotion out of all

the feelings that come to your mind,” he said.

In the late evening of Feb. 23 and early morning of Feb. 24, 2022, Oleksandr watched live as Russia announced its invasion

Late Thursday, Javelina Athletics announced interim coach Orlando Salinas has taken over with little explanation as to why the abrupt change. Eastman began his position at Texas A&M University-Kingsville in August 2022, and six months later is gone. Assistant Coach Erika Bennett was also removed, according to athletic ofcials. Salinas has named his own assistant who is arriving Wednesday. Salinas met with softball players Thursday afternoon to discuss overall goals.

When asked about the situation Executive Director of Athletics Steve Roach refused to comment but did tout Salinas’s tie to TAMUK.

“I think when you look at his resumé and his family connection to A&M Kingsville, then his passion for the student athlete and his experience, it was an easy decision and he is just highly committed to

The war at home Path to NASA from TAMUK

sound of clanging dishes later transformed into work for the military and the roaring of jet engines. Jackson now works at NASA’s Johnson Space Center serving as the Mission Assurance Lead for the Vertex Company.

Heavy textbooks, scribbled notes and the strong smell of coffee surrounded Sherie Jackson as she prepared for a late night of studying in a small Denny’s booth. Jackson, a student athlete with the Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) women’s basketball team, was an engineering student and single mom who tirelessly sought success through her studies. The work in the dimly lit dining room with the

Jackson, Class of 2000, fnds it important for a closely knit community like TAMUK to have strong alumni. She is constantly looking for ways to provide opportunities and to shed light on the quality education she feels TAMUK ofers.

Jackson looks at her career with disbelief and the amazement of how far hard work has taken her.

“I always tell people [about] where I ended up. It would sound like I’m making it up, like it’s not real. I come from Placedo, Texas, and now I get to train astronauts. I

work on military projects and weapons and work with fighter pilots and on 777 Jumbo jets. It’s just amazing to look back and see where I am now and where I started and everything in between,” Jackson shared.

Although she now fnds herself more than 250 miles away, Jackson is continuously making an impact on TAMUK. She was recently selected as one of the Heritage Heroes for Black Heritage Month. This award is in honor of the contributions Jackson has made to the community and in recognition of her success.

“Any recognition I gain from my alma mater, I deeply honor and cherish. It is so special that someone has paid attention to what I’ve done or that what I’ve done has rung loud enough for it to be

heard back in Kingsville,”

Jackson cheerfully shared.

“For four-and-a-half years my foundation was laid in Kingsville, everything that I accomplished and built are on what I experienced and took away from that community. I’m just

excited that you [TAMUK] care enough to recognize what I’m doing.”

As Jackson has grown with her career and built upon experiences in a corporate environment, she

One of the cemeteries that holds fallen soldiers, graced with many Ukraine ags.

Submitted Photo

Oleksandr and his mother Inna, make their way out of Ukraine, a three-day journey of long bus rides and ghts.

Submitted Photo

A building targeted in one of the Russian attacks, and the former place of work for Inna.

Orlando Salinas

Submitted Photo

Jackson’s NASA portrait.

TAMUK students creating stu ed animals at the Happy Hearts event.

Can’t help falling in love with Happy Hearts

TAMUK students weren’t lonesome on Valentine’s Day.

Students couldn’t help falling in love with the Happy Hearts event held at the Memorial Student Union Building on Valentine’s Day. The smell of rose petals and sweet chocolate flled the air as students were encouraged to participate in bingo, canvas painting, cookie decorating and even stufng a plush animal.

This event was hosted by Student Engagement and Campus Life, Campus Activities Board and Resident Life, for people who are happily in love with a partner and for those who are single.

“I had no other date so I’m here. I came with my roommate, and I met up with a bunch of friends,”

Kassy Tijerina, TAMUK

junior, said. Tijerina explained why it is important for the university to participate in holding a Valentine’s Day event.

“I think it’s just refreshing to all the single people out there to know there’s still love out there in the world,” Tijerina said.

Not only did the Happy Hearts event welcome those without a Valentine, but couples were in attendance, as well.

Sloan Johnson, TAMUK freshman, said Happy Hearts made everyone feel welcome to attend the event celebrating and sharing love with one another.

“There’s no way you could not include someone in an event like this, you just come out and be a part of it, I think it’s very inclusive. I came with my girlfriend and a couple of her friends,” Johnson said.

As TAMUK students felt sparks fy throughout the night, they were

Suicide Prevention: You are not alone

able to enjoy a sweet treat such as making their own chocolate covered strawberries, marshmallows, pretzels, and many more treats to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Students were far from lonesome while meeting many new people throughout the night. This event encouraged students of all backgrounds to come together to celebrate the day of love.

“I think it’s important for our students to be able to come out and socialize with one another, build connections, and feel connections to the university. To let them know that they can come out and develop a sense of community and kind of build a bond back with the university,” Shea Pullam, associate director of Residential Education Living and Learning, said.

As the night came to an end students left with both their hands and hearts overfowing with love and goodies.

Many people sufer from depression and/or suicidal thoughts.

All Texas A&M Kingsville University students were sent an email that included information, along with a video with the warning signs that you may notice in someone who is struggling. The video also shows ways you can reach out to the person who is in distress.

There are many resources on campus that can help anyone who may be struggling.

Student Health and Wellness is equipped in many ways to help struggling students including free counseling services.

Dr. Renee Weiss is the director of counseling services at Student Health and Wellness and said there is help for all students.

“Counseling services ofers a wide range of free and confdential personal, psychological, academic, and career services to currently enrolled students at the main campus, as well as in Weslaco, Harlingen, RELLIS, online, and at dual enrollment sites”

Weiss said.

“In addition to individual and group counseling, we ofer inclusive student-centered programming on topics relating to personal growth and development as well as crisis management and referral. Clinical assessment(s) and/or screening(s) may be administered by counseling services to optimize treatment planning. All counseling sessions are confdential to the full limits provided by the law. There is no set limit or requirement to the number of sessions that one may attend.”

Alma Perez is a senior at TAMUK and fnds that the counseling services are very useful.

“I do know about the resources on campus. I actually attend counseling every two weeks. I’ve been using the school’s counseling center for two semesters now and it truly helps,” Perez said.

There are also six different counselors on campus to be able to assist students. Students can select who they want and choose who they feel will best ft their needs.

Junior Raina Zafar is also aware of the counseling services that are available on campus.

“I think TAMUK is doing the best it can to help their students. As time goes by things are only getting better. A lot has improved since my freshman year. I’m a junior now” Zafar said.

Dr. Weiss wanted to remind students that there is hope. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help, she advises.

Students are encouraged to attend an online one-hour training course. This will help students learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to ofer hope, and know how to get help to save a life.

Photo by Erik Estrada

Photo by Erik Estrada

Students participating in a canvas painting at the TAMUK Happy Hearts event

Photo by Erik Estrada

Bingo cards, beans, and a ticket ready for students to pick up and participate.

Trainings throughout the semester

Photo provided by TAMUK

Training dates provides by TAMUK sannouncements

of Ukraine, learning the war had started before most of his family living in Ukraine did.

“I thought that from daily conversations, daily phone calls and messages to my mother and other immediate family, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what daily living in the war time is like, but I realized not until I came there. I realized I had no idea what it’s like,” Oleksandr said.

After his grandmother passed away in August and the war encroached on his home city, Oleksandr tried to fgure out a way to bring his mother out of Ukraine.

As Ukraine is a war zone, no commercial airlines fy over the country for safety reasons, meaning anyone interested in traveling to Ukraine must fy to a neighboring country and then journey on a bus into Ukraine.

Oleksandr few to Poland and then began a 14hour bus ride to Vinnytsia, his home city.

Each city’s entrances and exits have checkpoints and a large military presence, he said.

“From the same moment as I entered the borders of Ukraine, the air raid siren went of, which means there’s a threat of Russian missile bombing.

When I fnally got to my hometown the following morning, I woke up not to an alarm clock, not to sunshine but to the same sound, to the same siren,” he said.

The frst time he heard the sirens blare, his heart raced.

“It was interesting. I got up [and] I had no idea what’s going on, so I was kind of lost and not sure what to do. So, I went to my mom and asked her ‘hey, what do [we do] the siren went of,’ and she said ‘well, we go have breakfast.’”

Oleksandr said in an ideal situation, people would wait the siren out in a basement or bomb shelter and explained that a long siren meant a Russian airstrike or threat was taking place. A short siren indicated the end of the threat, a sign to return from underground bunkers.

“People are so used to it, and unfortunately, I have to say they are so used to living in the war, which is a horrible thing. No one should be used to living in the war but unfortunately, they are after almost a year of living in it, and

these conditions,” he said.

During his frst morning in Ukraine, Oleksandr recalled the eerie sirens and video he took as he looked out the window to see a young boy walking outside with his backpack, unphased at the sirens that engrossed the city.

Ukrainian people have a lot of belief in their military, Oleksandr said.

Oleksandr’s last trip to Ukraine, was in 2018 when he took his daughter. He had not seen his mother since his return to Ukraine in December.

In a Zoom interview, Inna recalled the start of the war.

“At fve in the morning there was lots of explosions and I didn’t know what it was, we didn’t understand what was happening. There was a message from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and then we fnally understood it was the beginning of war,” said Inna, as translated by her son.

As the frst sirens rang out across the country last February, Ukrainians initially did not know how to react. They then learned they could either go home, go to basements or seek bomb shelters.

“The frst three days we had a lot of difcult stress. I couldn’t eat or sleep very well, lots of scary emotions,” she recalled.

Their days were marked long siren to short siren.

Many prominent areas of Oleksandr’s home city were destroyed.

“It’s good to have her in the safety of the United States. It’s interesting to hear some of the things she notices after living for 10 months in a country at war,” Oleksandr said.

One notable sight were the civilian planes at the airport.

“I hope that people who live here in the safety in the peaceful country, I hope they will not take their safety for granted and appreciate their clear sky above their heads and the protected sky above their heads,” he said.

Oleksandr continues to be an activist for Ukraine. Sharing his story and organizing rallies in support of Ukraine.

He has hopes to one day bring his children back to Ukraine. To not only share the places in which he grew up, but the places of destruction and to acknowledge the resilience of its people.

Submitted Photo

Inna arrives in Poland, and asks her son if they are allowed to take pictures, something they tried not to do in Ukraine for security reasons

Submitted

Photo

Inna safe in Texas.

Submitted Photo

An “unbreaking location” or type of refugee camp found in Ukraine. A place for people to stay warm and charge essential items.

Submitted Photo

Oleksandr pictured with his family, a few years before the war.w

Submitted Photo

Oleksandr visits his grandparents grave.

Submitted Photo

A journalist streaming from a bomb shelter, a sight Oleksandr describes as unusual for Ukraine.

Review: Dead Space remake has out of this world horrors

This version brings more gravity to the horror

“Dead Space” is the frst installment in the Dead Space franchise after 10 years and is a remake of the original 2008 title. It should’ve been an easy repair job on the USG Ishimura where Isaac Clarke would’ve also had the chance to reunite with the love of his life, Nicole Brennan. Unfortunately, it becomes quickly obvious that there’s something wrong with the prized mining colony. Will Isaac and his team make it out alive?

“Dead Space” makes its grand return with a large-scale remake that helps fuel the current boom within the survival horror subgenre of games (which has been mostly kept going through Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise).

The story is faithful to the original game but Isaac is no longer a silent protagonist.

Gunner Wright reprises his role as Isaac and has believable interactions with this hellscape of a spaceship.

The remake retains the third-person perspective from the original but the movement and combat feels easier to understand and pick up.

There’s a smoothness to the gameplay that feels on par with the recent “Resident Evil” remakes, yet unlike those, “Dead Space” doesn’t trim the story and world.

In fact, it does the exact opposite.

The remake features what is practically an open world version of the Ishimura.

At any point in the campaign, you can revisit old areas to complete side missions or collect items that you missed out on due to being locked out.

However, the game will throw enemies and frighteningly mysterious encounters at you as you explore the ship in an effort to keep you on your toes.

There are also new missions, collectibles and story content that has been added to this remake to surprise old fans and keep new ones busy.

Exploring every musty corridor of this vessel is exciting but there hasn’t been a moment where I wasn’t aiming a weapon

down a dark, fickering hallway.

Sometimes the game will have noises of monsters rattle through the walls just to make you hastily aim your laser cutter (or dismembering weapon of your choice) at one of the dozens of vents that can line a single room.

The sound design for this game is as phenomenal as it needs to be and that goes double for the lighting.

I think “Dead Space” might be one of the best-looking games out there for better and for worse because there are horrifying things in this game that I did not need

to see in 4K (there is an option for in-game content warnings for those that need them).

If you’re a fan of horror, sci-f or are just looking for a well crafted experience, then I give EA’s “Dead Space” a glowing recommendation. Just be sure to keep the lights on.

How to Adult: From Miss to Mrs.

A new last name for a new part of your life

You’ve met the person that you want to spend all of your days with and now you’re ready to become a Mrs.

Whether you are modernist or traditionalist there is going to be some things that everyone needs to do when it is time to change their name.

Each state has their own way of handling the process of a name change, but for Texans it starts with a simple trip to the courthouse with your fancé to buy a marriage license.

A marriage license is the ofcial paper you’ll need to prove to the state that you’re married after the big celebration happens and it is the only step you can complete before the big day happens.

When the big day comes and goes, then

it’s time to start the full process of changing your name in the eyes of the state.

What is essentially ground zero for this process begins with the Social Security Administration ofce (SSA). Once the SSA recognizes your name change then everyone else will.

To get them to acknowledge the change you’ll need to download the application form for a new Social Security card and fll it out.

After that you’ll need to get a certifed copy of your birth certifcate, driver’s license (or U.S. passport) and your signed marriage license.

Next up is getting a passport.

Now there’s a couple diferent ways to do this, being that there are different forms to fll out depending on if you’ve had a passport or not.

No matter what, there will always be the same couple of documents you will need to be able to complete this process - proof of identity, proof of a name change and a passport picture.

It is also time to get your new Texas Driver’s license.

Doing this will require an in-person trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) but on the bright side the only document you’ll typically need for this update is your legal name change document.

Some locations will require additional information from you so it’s always best to ask about that whenever you call ahead to make your appointment at the DMV.

Now you’ve completed all the hard stuf next up is the long list of places that you will need to contact in order change your name.

Places such as the post ofce, voter registration, your bank and credit card companies, utility companies, medical professionals, your vehicle registration and if you’re a student like me, your student administration ofce can take care of changing your name in their fles.

If you’re still freaking out or worried about this slightly intimidating process, fnd someone who’s been through it recently and ask them if they have any tips or tricks on how to smooth out your experience.

Our Opinion

Tyre Nichols, rest in peace

An unbelievable number of incidents of alleged police brutality continue to come in across the country, including the most recent headlines drawing attention to the case of Tyre Nichols. Nichols was a FedEx worker for about nine months.

On Jan. 7, based on video being shared across the country, Nichols was stopped by ofcers and restrained. What ensued was a brutal beating all caught on camera leading to the death of the 29-year-old Nichols three days later in a Memphis hospital. He left behind a four-year-old son. According to the family’s lawyers, Nichols told police ofcers during the Jan. 7 encounter that he just wanted to go home, and in what the lawyers believe were his fnal words, he called out for his mother. Her house was less than 100 yards from where he was beaten, the lawyers said.

On Jan. 20, the fve ofcers involved were fred after an internal police investigation into the arrest of Nichols. The fve ofcers allegedly responsible, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith, made their frst court appearances with lawyers before a judge in Shelby County criminal court on Feb. 17. Along with second degree-murder, the ofcers pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, ofcial misconduct, and ofcial oppression. They are all out on bond. Their next hearing is May 1.

Police ofcers and ofcers of authority have a job to serve and protect. Yet the continual exposure of alleged police brutality and subsequent convictions of ofcers for killing men while in the line of duty have caused an uproar of protest across major cities in hope that someone will hear their voices and enact change. Black individuals in America should not have to live in constant fear of police brutality, but it has become a terrible reality that their fear is rightfully placed. Nichols was allegedly pulled from his vehicle and forced to fght for his life when he should not have had to.

The videos that surface from incidents like these such as George Floyd, Philando Castile, the beating of Rodney King and many more victims of police violence have proven nothing to the Black community except that they must live in fear.

Realistic looking media vs stylized media

The number of shows, movies and games that’s consumed on a regular basis is shocking but what’s even more interesting is the variety of ways that media is presented to us. While there’s more depth to the styles themselves, the media often boils down to two diferent styles.

There’s realism, which is a style that’s grounded somewhat to the

real world. Then there’s stylized media which doesn’t need to follow the rules of the real world (although CGI for live-action flms and shows is signifcantly improving). As mentioned earlier, there’s a multitude of levels to realistic styles and even more for stylized ones but which one has more to ofer to the audience? While realism can be splendid in its own right and give the audience a simpler (or perhaps more believable) way to see themselves in the story, I personally fnd less realistic entertainment far more fulflling and fun to watch. It’s cap-

tivating to see a world that doesn’t always follow the same rules we do plus it also provides an interesting outlet to escape to. There’s an eccentricity that animated creations have to them that would be difcult to capture with realistic looking flms unless you had the immense budget of a company like Disney or Warner Brothers backing you. A prime example of this distinction can be seen within one of Disney’s biggest properties, “Star Wars”. The flms have that tremendous wallet behind them which allows them to have massive amounts

of CGI and interesting aliens whereas the live action shows have a decent budget but not on the level of having largescale set pieces and designs consistently. The animated shows are a diferent story since they can have those wild worlds and amazing alien designs without worrying about making actors ft into it. Not every stylized work is on the same level as “Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse” (2018) and the recently released “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (2022) but they all have their own fair that lets them accomplish things that realistic media can’t.

The stress of planning a wedding

Planning a wedding is stressful. Financial restraints, emotions, a time strain after picking your perfect day, family and friends trying to weigh in on what they think you should do for your wedding, and to add to the list, being a full-time college student.

The frst thing to do when you’re planning a wedding is talk to your fancé and make a bud-

get together. Agree on the budget, then make it clear to each other to stay inside that budget, no matter what.

Pick a date. In South Texas, the weather is a huge factor when picking a date. The weather goes from one extreme to the next during each season, so you and your partner need to be okay with whatever mother nature might bring on your special day. This date is one that will be important to you for the rest of your life. So do not let someone else pick this date for you.

Find your venue, fancy or simple. Look for

the “perfect” place for you two to spend the happiest day of your life. Remember to stay in your budget when doing this.

The list goes on of obvious things to do when planning a wedding. There are websites after websites to help you make sure you check of each box in planning your wedding and that you plan it with the least amount of stress.

Scheduling meetings with the venue, bakery, photographer and seamstress around your class schedule is one of the most difcult things. Remembering what class-

es you have and when those classes are online and when they aren’t. Lists. I have so many lists scattered around my house. They help me each day and week make sure I complete the task I need to complete, whether it’s an essay for class or if it’s to order wedding favors. I check of items on each list as I go and then I assign tasks to my fancé, this keeps the stress of me having to decide everything and handle everything on my own. One day, someone will create the perfect itinerary for planning a wedding.

Having a sense of belonging on your campus

The sense of belonging on your college campus is, for some, the most important aspect of being a college student. The more a student can feel that they belong, and are supported and not alone, the more they can handle the stress of being a full-time student who is more than likely away from home and everything they know.

Students who feel they belong in an environment like a college campus can walk through the halls of school and feel no worries for the next four years of their life.

If there is no sense of belonging then it can affect many situations that are thrown our way as college students because at times, being in school feels like a job that you can never clock out of. It takes up most of our day and leaves us with little more to do than focus on school. At least, these are the feelings you have when you have not felt that necessary sense of a

STAFF

Ronni Reyna Editor-in-Chief chief.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Melissa Mata Managing Editor managing.editor@thesouthtexan.com

The South Texan is a student publication produced by Texas A&M University- Kingsville students. The views, opinions and commentary do not necessarily refect 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) and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA).

Laryssa Salinas Campus Editor campus.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Zena Desouza

Chris Olivarez Co-Sports Editor sports.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Frank Villarreal Entertainment Editor entertainment.editor@thesouthtexan.com

second home.

When you are happy with the place you have selected to call home for the next four years, it positively impacts your learning experiences, academic excellence, and friendships. Students who feel like they belong are simply more engaged with their university as well, more likely to join university student associations, and make better connections with the higher ups, whether it be student body leaders, advisors, coaches and more. It is hard to remember at times when you frst go down this journey

Dylan Sanchez Opinion Editor opinion.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Erik Estrada Digital Editor digital.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Abigayle Hayden Senior Reporters

Annalisa Perales Reporters

Mireya Martinez

Jessica Tijerina Photographers

Mackenzie Bryce Social Media Manager

Brianna Brietzke Circulation Manager

that you are free and college is only going to be what you make of it. The college experience can be a stressful one that takes months, or years to adjust to, along with the lonely nights and the tireless hours of studies and the Ramen noodle dinners.

However, if you can get all the best qualities out of your university, you will have friends, enjoy waking up for class, enjoy your weekends with new people or be okay with the company of no one at times. Before you know it, you’ll be going home, instead of back to the dorms.

Aryssa Enriquez Marketing Manager marketing.manager@thesouthtexan.com

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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

grievances.”

Rec helping students get ft, one class at a time

Classes from yoga to boot camp ofered

Seeing the yoga mats laid out, hearing the water splash in aerobics class, and seeing the cones set up for boot camp gave students the opportunity to try out the new group ftness

classes on campus.

On Jan. 30, the Student Recreational Center held its frst round of group ftness classes at Texas A&M University-Kingsville; the classes include water aerobics, Pilates, yoga, boot camp, and a pure strength class led by certifed instructors and Rec staf.

“Sometimes in a recreation center or gym environment it can be intimidating. People maybe don’t know how to exercise or how to use spe-

cifc equipment, so specifcally with our group ftness program we have certifed instructors and trainers that can help you ease your way into a workout routine,” Director of University Recreation Marcus Wirth said. “If you’re nervous or starting out it could set you on a path to be successful with your ftness goals.”

The Rec Center announced all the diferent classes that will be held for students and to the public, in order to attend these classes you must show your student ID or grab a class pass at the front desk in the Rec Center.

“This was very important to me and campus leadership to provide this resource to students. We really didn’t want cost or fnancial to be a barrier and with the way we structured [it] with the instructor and staf we were able to have it free for students,” Wirth said.

These classes being ofered in groups could help some students tran-

sition into the lifestyle they may be longing for.

“Considering that going to school can be overwhelming, these classes could help relieve some stress students may be feeling,” Rec staf member Brandon Alvarado said.

“We all start somewhere; we were that one person who was scared to start their ftness journey…it’s all about consistency.”

Striving for certain goals in your life while working towards a degree as a student can be

difcult for some, so exercising can help.

“There is nothing in my experience that compares to working out in groups - you get motivated, you wake up, you’re energized, and want to go because you’ll be with other people,” Instructor Alma Wilson explained.

“Whereas when you’re by yourself it gets a little difcult and you might say ‘umm I’ll come back tomorrow’… students come up to me and say, ‘it’s so much fun; I love coming,’ and

they make friends in the class.”

Group classes are every Monday through Friday at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 9 a.m., and 4:30 p.m.

“You get the one-onone experience…they’re in a group but I walk around, and we aim for their goals. We make it personal and there is someone encouraging them to become a better version of themselves,” Wilson said.

Beach volleyball focused on season Team is ready for opener

The Javelinas beach volleyball team looks excited and ready for the 2023 season. After a roller coaster of a season in 2022, the team sets their sights on bettering themselves and being a more improved and competitive team.With the departure of some players, there has also been additions to the team but with this, the learning curve has increased.

The beach volleyball team, which consists of mainly freshmen, will need leaders to step up and guide the team to success. Along with this, they will need the best out of everyone to help each other succeed and improve themselves as the season progresses.

“I feel like the connection and our communication will help a lot once we know who our partner is through the season. I know our communication will get a lot

better and things will go a lot more smoothly,”

Jackie Alanis said.

Alanis is one of the few upperclassmen on the team who will be tasked in leading the young team. “It is a lot having them look up to us so being positive and helping them out with the little things is what we need to focus on,”

Alanis said. On the other side of this, it is a lot for the newcomers to handle with this being their frst year of competing in sports at the college level. “Having that frst season of indoor volleyball was nice and it really helped so coming into this season I know what I’m getting into, and it’s been easy,” said freshman Rylan Pollard.

Despite the inexperience, the goals are set high for the team

“Going to the NCAA Division II tournament and I’d like for us to defeat these bigger schools like TCU and LSU,” Pollard said of her goals.

Though it may seem like a lot to handle, the Javelinas beach volleyball team has set goals as high as the blue Texas sky on a clear day.

With only three players returning out of the 10 from the previous year there is some work to be done. “Right now, we are focused on teaching the new people the skills and understanding what our philosophy is as well as focusing on our hitting, and it has defnitely gotten a lot better,”

Coach Gary Payne said. With this there calls for work to be done as well as improvement in some areas.“We just got to try to each pair better together as a pair because a lot of them have never played together, and so it’s that chemistry between them and their partner is where we are gonna need a lot of improvement and we do some scrimmage stuf to see how well each one plays together,” Payne said. With this, it is also best to have confdence and that is what Coach Payne has instilled in the team for this season and that’ll be their driving force as they head into the 2023 season.

The Javelinas beach volleyball season is set to kickof Feb. 23 at home against East Texas Baptist.

Javelina tennis looks to turn the tide

Tennis maintains level heads in the face of adversity

| Co-Sports Editor @thesouthtexan.com

After coming of of the 2022 season which ended in a fnal record of 1111, the tennis team looks to take the next step in 2023.

They opened up their regular season against the Islanders which unfortunately did not end in their favor.

However, there is one thing that all Javelina sports have in common is that they do not let anything get to them and shake of their struggles and stand strong in the face of adversity.

The Javelina tennis team is no exception.

Despite the outcome of the season opener, they did not let it phase them and continue to work on bettering themselves for the team.

“Just in general, working on being more consistent and keeping the energy high will help us improve as the season progresses,” player Alessa Mair said of the remainder of the season.

The Javelina tennis team got right back to work bettering themselves for their next opponent. “Our main focus for improvement is our doubles teams right now

and we’ve been working on the mental side of it as well and it’s best to have a solid base,”

Assistant Coach Andrea Fuchs said. “Strong mentality and I think the girls have the mindset of ‘it doesn’t matter who we are going up against we will be ready.’”

Along with this, Coach Autumn Wollenzien expressed the team’s main focus on the season is “Improving our doubles and winning more than what we had last year is something we want

to work on and work towards doing this season.”

Overall, the Javelinas tennis team looks prepared for any opponent that comes their way and are not afraid to step up their game and play to a high level that they know they are capable of and look ahead to the rest of the 2023 season.

The tennis team will be hitting the road for their next match against Clark Atlanta in Atlanta, Ga., on Feb. 23.

Photo by Dominic Valdez TAMUK community partcipates in group yoga.

Photo by Dominic Valdez

Instructor Alma Wilson leading yoga class.

Photo by Christopher Olivarez Raina Za ar running ladder drlls.

Photo by Christopher Olivarez

Tennis team practicing for next match.

Free tax assistance ofered to students, community

VITA ofers income tax help

As tax season approaches, many students and their families often seek help in fling. VITA, short for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, provides free services to help students and their families fle their tax returns. The returns are prepared by two paid interns, along with other student volunteers from the College of Business Administration. Dr. Genevieve

has never let the color of her skin defne the limit to success.

“When it comes to being a minority in the workplace sometimes it’s not about forgetting who you are, but you have to learn to work outside the package that we come in,” Jackson said. “You have to get to a point where your qualifcations and skills speak for themselves; your reputation speaks for itself because you want people to know about who you are before they see who you are.”

Jackson and fellow Heritage Hero, head coach of the men’s basketball team Johnny Estelle, created a strong friendship during their time together as basketball players and students at TAMUK. This led to them following each other throughout

Scalan, who helps guide student volunteers in the program, said it’s a great service for Kingsville

“[VITA] is a very common program at many universities, and there is a visible need for tax assistance in Kingsville,” Scalan said.

The service is not reserved for only students. Parents, faculty and other members of the community can utilize VITA.

“Tax preparation is free for anyone or any household that makes under $66,000 a year,” Scalan said.

Accounting students also get the opportunity to learn how to fle tax returns and gain knowl-

their professional growth, cheering each other on every step of the way.

“She’s still adding chapters to her legacy. She is continuously giving back and paying the blessings forward. She is continuously doing things to help others,” Estelle said.

“She is very competitive, hardworking and confdent. It’s a confdence that she belonged and that has helped her later in life.”

Jackson continues a relationship with TAMUK through the Javelina Alumni Association and by serving on a leadership board with the athletic department.

“I’m always looking for opportunities to reach back into the university to create opportunity, bring awareness to the quality of education you can obtain, the sense of family that’s

edge in their feld and are certifed by the IRS to fle the returns. One student intern who has been participating in the VITA program for two years is Martin De Los Santos.

“[I] enjoy learning about diferent tax rules and restrictions and helping out the community,” De Los Santos said.

He also expressed some challenges that come with the job, such as learning the diferent tax treaties from diferent countries, as some international students seek help through VITA with their taxes.

Dr. Natalya Delcoure, dean of the College of Business Administration, says that VITA has been

there...and that we do have a strong alumnus,” Jackson said.

Jackson also encourages students to make connections, fnd out who the movers and shakers are, make friends that’ll be there whenever you need.

During move-in day for the on-campus dorms in Fall 1997, an abrupt knock on Jackson’s door was the beginning of a life-long friendship with Amy Washington, now Amy Forte.

“Sherie is one of the most giving people I know,” Forte said. “She was there for me whenever I needed her, she’s a giving person and extremely compassionate. She’s supported me in ways that are not in the normal bounds of a regular friendship.”

Jackson and Forte became extremely close

engaged in helping the community with their taxes for 12 years.

“The community and our students need to have help and this program has a long tradition of helping those who need it,” she said.

Delcoure also discussed the benefts the program has for the student volunteers such as developing their interpersonal and customer service skills and how they become representatives of the College of Business.

For more information on VITA or to receive assistance fling, students and the community are encouraged to email vita@ tamuk.edu.

during their time in Kingsville, they’d go to Young’s Pizza, support each other in school events and continue to support one another today.

“We would go to football games, go to Corpus a whole lot, we were both in Alpha Kappa Alpha, both ran for homecoming in Fall of ’98. Although we didn’t win, it was a lot of fun. We also spent a lot of time studying at Denny’s.”

And it was in that Denny’s that Jackson stufed books into her bag along with crumbled sheets of paper with old notes as she prepared to head home to her biggest mission, her newborn baby. Twenty-five years later Jackson feels deeply grateful for the support and recognition she has always received from her alma mater.

the student-athlete experience and when I say that I mean not just winning and losing, but the true experience and making sure they develop as young women on and of the feld,” Roach said.

Salinas is an alumnus of TAMUK as well as a former Javelina baseball player.

Salinas has been coaching in South Texas for more than 25 years. Recently, he was the assistant softball coach at Texas

A&M University-Corpus Christi.

“We are of and running so the one thing that I am gonna bring is we are gonna have a lot of energy and passion and the sooner we can make this a family the sooner they can finish their unfinished business in winning a national championship,” Interim Coach Salinas said.

Overall, the Javelinas Softball team is 2-4, but Coach Salinas looked to restart things the proper way in his frst game with the Javelinas softball team with a double header at Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio this past weekend.

It is unclear if Eastman and Bennett are still employed with TAMUK.

Submitted Photo

Jackson’s basketball portrait from her time playing at TAMUK.

Douglas Eastman