Abbott Can’t Be Nice for Five Minutes

Originally, I had hoped to write this column to be a positive outlook on our state’s future but apparently positivity can’t exist in Texas.

Governor Greg Abbott recently passed into law a bill called the CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, that bans race-based hair dis- crimination.

I think this was a great bill to pass that tackles an unfair issue many people of color face in the work force.

Hairstyles do not determine one’s professionalism or ability to perform at their jobs, so this bill aimed at eliminating hair-based discrimination definitely helps combat against racism and bigotry many people can face at work.

When I heard the news of Abbott signing the bill into law, I was surprised he could actually do something that cre- ates positive change in Texas. Unfortunately, just over a week later Abbott would also pass another law blocking transgender youth from accessing healthcare to assist with gender confirmation.

Many other Republican states have passed laws similar to this, so while Abbott is not the first it was disappointing to see him pass this bill.

Thousands of kids across Texas only want access to healthcare that can allow them to feel comfortable in their own skin.

While the right wing likes to sell the idea that allowing transgender youth access to puberty blockers leads to mental health issues later, other studies conducted have shown that early treatment is more beneficial. my classes is hands-on. We’ll do one little lecture or a couple little ones and the rest of it is ‘ok, do it,’” Thacker said. displayed in the show, but focuses more on ceramics

It’s sad we live in a state in which officials like Abbott claim we must protect the children, but are quick to ban healthcare that is beneficial to them. Hopefully as the new electoral season slowly approaches, more and more Texans will realize how terrible Abbott is for our state and finally vote him out.

TAMUK gives students the opportunity to experiment as they learn to better grasp what they are being taught. Although the SRT program will begin this upcoming semester, some students began taking recording classes in Fall 2022 and saw some of these classes get up from the ground. The SRT program is working to give their students the best they can while still working with them to enhance their skills.

“This music program is great if you want to teach but there’s a whole lot of other things you can do with music… I thought I would be sitting down just writing answers on a piece of paper the entire time but we are testing out different mics, we’re getting up into the rafters of the building and learning how all that works. It’s very handson,” Ryan Guerra, music in sound recording technology major, said.

Traditionally, this program does not require students to be a music major to partake in this opportunity. Students who still want to pursue a career in this field now have the option to get certified. The new addition of the SRT also gives current music students a chance to enhance their skill set. For students interested in being part of the SRT program contact (361) 593-2803.

“[Free in the Ocean] took me a lot, probably half a semester to complete and I’m pretty happy with it,” Saldana said.

Free in the Ocean was a ceramic duck he chose to have displayed in the show, along with several other pieces that included frogs and other wildlife.

“The main inspiration is basically wildlife and animals,” Saldana said.

The art show remains on display throughout the summer in the Ben Bailey Art Gallery.

Winning students in- cluded: Best in Show: Orin Sanchez

3D

First Place: Denise Delacruz - Hollows of Devotion

Second Place: Kaylie

Tyra - 5D

Third Place: Lorena

Gonzalez - Chess

Honorable Mention: Anjelica Cantu - Owl Shot

Honorable Mention: Jennifer DeMoss - Taino

Luminary

Assemblage

First Place: Misty B.,

Norma, Stevie L.- Obsolete

Second Place: Kimberly Rios - The Mini Technician

Third Place: Ana Alanis - The Boy

Honorable Mention: Kassandra Alamillo -Memory

Prints

First Place: Faith Puente - Ballerina Folklorica

Second Place: Nikola Salazar - Revelation

Third Place: Jessica Kelly - Take a Deep Breath

Honorable Mention: Vincent Ochoa - Unity

2D

First Place: Ivan Cadavona - 3 Waves

Second Place: Cassandra Luna - Cover Up to my Mistakes

Third Place: Charles Smith - Self Portrait

Honorable mention: Marissa Nunez - Sunrise