Mustang Messenger Vol 4 Issue 1

MUSTANG MESSENGER the

FOR STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS volume four | issue one | feb/mar 2009

Welcome Back NEW YEAR, NEW SEMESTER, NEW POSSIBILITIES

New SGA Officers MEET THE STUDENT LEADERS OF TSTC

The Border Wall STUDENTS ATTEND A RALLY ABOUT THE CONTROVERSIAL POLITICAL ISSUE

Featured Student STUDENT, BUSINESS OWNER & NATURE ENTHUSIAST

• SPORTS • EVENTS • STUDENT ARTWORK •

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

Under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the following is designated as directory information and may be made public unless the student desires to withhold all or any portion of it: name, local address, classification of coursework level, enrollment status, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of college attendance, degrees, certificates and awards received and most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student.

A currently enrolled student may prohibit the release of directory information by completing an appropriate request form in the Office of Admissions and Records during registration or within the first five (5) class days of each term.

Under the Privacy Act of 1974, official records are not open to the public and will not be divulged without consent from the student.

records of the dependent student provided the parent can establish this dependency as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, section 152. This request must be made in person at the Office of Admissions and Records by providing a copy of the most recent federal income tax return and required picture identification.

TSTC Harlingen complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and informs students of their rights under the act. Student’s rights covered by the act are as follows: 1. the right to inspect and review the academic record.

2. the intent of TSTC Harlingen is to limit the disclosure of information contained in a student’s academic record under the following circumstances: a. with the student’s prior written consent; b. as an item of directory information which the student has not refused the college to disclose; or c. under the FERPA provisions which allow a college to disclose information without the student’s prior written consent.

3. the right of a student to consent to the release of semester credit hours taken at other institutions to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

4. the right of a student to petition TSTC Harlingen to amend or correct any part of his/her academic record which is believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student. When the college decides it will not amend or correct a student’s record, the student has the right to a hearing to present evidence that the record is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student.

5. the right of any person to file a complaint with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Office, Department of Education, Family Policy Compliance Office, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605, if TSTC Harlingen violates the FERPA.

connect ONLINE

If you have any questions concerning disclosure of information, contact the Office of Admissions and Records at 956.364.4320.

WITH US

Minors attending the college have the same right regarding their records as adult students. If a student is still a legal dependent of a parent or guardian, the parent has the right to access the

• View our calendar • Check out photos • See our videos • Leave a comment •

add us! ‘ Cause school doesn’t have to be boring.

myspace.com/tstcharlingen

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Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

youtube.com/tstcharlingen

contents FEATURE STORIES New SGA President Georgeann Calzada introduces herself

TSTC Community Garden on National Make A Difference Day

SkillsUSA competes at Nationals in Kansas City, Mo.

COLLEGE EVENTS ‘Tis the Season of Sharing Students help families in need

Event Sneak Peak Upcoming events for February and March

STUDENT FEATURES Student Spotlight Marisa Navarrete

Remembering Eric Chavez Friends and family say goodbye

New SGA Officers 2008-2009 Get to know the new SGA officers

Student Leadership Conference Your passport to success

Environmental Club Students attend Border Wall rally

Green Tip of the Month See how you can help the environment

ENTERTAINMENT New Releases at the LRC See what new books are available to you

The Messenger Staff Playlist Check out what students are listening to

Student Poetry Corner Read the works of local poets Intramural Sports Sports, schedules and more

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Maintaining Eligibility for Financial Aid*

Second Installment Due

Emergency Tuition Loan Due

Last Day To Apply for Graduation

Valentine’s Bash and Casino Night

Softball League Roster Deadline

SGA Dating Game Let’s Be Flexible

College Goal Sunday Financial Aid Workshop

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How To Lead with a Purpose and Manage Your Time*

Scholarship Deadline Summer 2009

Financial Aid Pre-Loan Session

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19th Class Day Last Day to Drop with a Refund

Sensitivity Awareness: Sexual Orientation*

Scholarship Workshop

Mr. And Ms. TSTC Scholarship Competition

Last Day to Apply for Spring Graduation Scholarship Workshop

Financial Aid Pre Loan Session

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THEA Testing

Healthy Heart*

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Announce your events!

E-mail your events to phdclub@gmail.com and have them featured on the calendar!

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Non-Traditional Expo Calling All Rosies National Women’s History Month Celebration

Day Light Savings Time

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Mid-Term Grades Due Skills USA March 6-7

Spring Break Safety Awareness*

Doubles Tennis and Doubles Table Tennis Roster Deadline

Financial Aid Pre-Loan Session

Saturday Classes Meet

Saturday Classes Will Not Meet

Spring Break March 16-20 STUDENTS ONLY

Registration Begins Summer & Fall 09

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Financial Aid Pre-Loan Session

Final Installment Payment Due

Movie On The Lawn

Racing Tragedy*

& * Critical Thinking Student Workshop

SGA president from your

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Georgeann Calzada - Student Government Association President ey there fellow Mustangs! I’m sure most of you have already seen me around campus and you’re wondering what’s my purpose for being here so much. To answer that, it’s for YOU. My job is to make your stay here at TSTC a great one filled with tons of great memories.

Let me introduce myself to you all. My name is Georgeann Calzada and I am your newly elected SGA President for

2008 – 2009 school year. I can’t express how excited I am to kick off my tenure with such great events and activities for you all. I spent a couple of months as your SGA Secretary and loved it so much I decided that I wanted to be a part of this great team again. I have met some outstanding people already and plan to continue on that path throughout my term.

I graduated with my Associates degree in Administrative Assistant and am currently continuing my education in the EA program. I have one son, Aidan, who is now officially a toddler at 2 years-old. I love to watch football and basketball, but these days there isn’t much time with so

many events going on, so update me if you see me around campus; my favorite teams are the Colts and the Spurs.

As your SGA President, I hope to gain a tremendous amount of knowledge in leadership and teamwork while being an exemplary example as to what Mustang Pride truly is. I have enormous shoes to fill (not literally) and I am willing to do the necessary work to make you all proud to have chosen TSTC Harlingen as your key to success and education.

- Georganne Calzada

SGA Breakfast Club

student club officers prepare for the spring semester

TSTC Spring Semester ’09 started out with a bang with the first event of the semester being Breakfast Club. This was a gathering of presidents and officers of all the active clubs at TSTC to discuss up and coming events on campus and also the items required before starting a new fund-raiser. The affair was held in Building U’s Culinary Arts dining room and featured a four-course breakfast prepared and served by our very own Culinary Arts students.

Clubs were paired up for this year’s first Club Olympics, which will emphasize the importance of getting to know other clubs here at TSTC. Two students, Hilda Prieto and Shannon Williams, were chosen by TSTC

by Shannon Padilla

Chancellor Dr. Bill Segura to represent the students on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The event ended with all the participants looking for a “winner” tag under their chairs for a chance to win the movie “The Breakfast Club” or a flash drive.

Shannon Williams (left) and Hilda Prieto.

Students chosen by TSTC Chancellor Dr. Bill Segura to represent the all TSTC students on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

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events tstc community garden

college

o

students get together for national make a difference day

we hear ya!

Everyone can be great because anyone can serve....You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

by Laura Amaro

ver 100 TSTC students gathered on the beautiful morning of Saturday, October 25 for a National Make A Difference Day project that SGA put together.

The plan was to help beautify Harlingen’s Le Moyne Gardens community, which ironically lacked a garden.

With the help of the Building Construction Technology program, who built the planters for the garden, and the manpower that our TSTC students provided, an empty triangular piece of land was transformed into a safe haven for their community.

SGA also recruited the help of local businesses and organizations for donations.

National Make A Difference Day Contributors

Thank you Adam’s Garden Asplundt Country Inn and Suites Earthwise Organics Fairview Farms Girl Scouts Troop Harlingen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Harlingen Family Dentistry Harlingen Proud Home Depot - Harlingen Liz Silva Lowe’s - Harlingen Southwest Key Program Stuart Place Nursery The Key Family TSTC Association of General Contractors Club TSTC Student Clubs Wal-Mart - Harlingen

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Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

of sharing

‘Tis the season

Dental Assistant students donated four baskets filled with various food items such as bread, canned goods, cereal, cookies and more. All items, packaged in a laundry basket, were given to Support Services families in need.

Chemical-Environmental Technology students collected over 500 cans of non-perishable items to help the TSTC Staff Senate annual canned food drive. Cans were donated to the RGV Food Bank.

Toys for TSTC Tots Children attending TSTC’s Early Childhood and Head Start Centers received an early visit from Santa Claus on December 2.

Accompanied by TSTC President Dr. Cesar Maldonado, TSTC Vice Presidents and College Police, Santa handed out gifts to all children in attendance.

Santa also gave presents to children living in TSTC family housing.

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

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Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

KICK-OFF

EVENT

March 4 Student Quad Area 10AM - 12PM Special presentation at 11:30AM. For more information call Support Services at 364.4520.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact the Support Services Office at 956.364.4520 one week prior to the event.

SGA President Receives Recognition Georgeann Calzada, president of the Student Government Association at Texas State Technical College Harlingen, left, recently received a plaque of recognition from Mia de la Garza-Fields, president of the Harlingen Proud Board of Directors, on behalf of the TSTC student body.

Several college clubs and college employees helped Harlingen Proud organize a project that led to the creation of a new outdoor landscape recreation area at the LeMoyne Garden public housing project in the city. LeMoyne Garden is located along FM 508 just west of Marine Military Academy and TSTC.

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

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features marisa navarrete student

we hear ya!

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.

by Dave Ralph

M

- Steve Jobs

ulti-tasking isn’t a job for Marisa Navarrete; it’s part of her character to pursue a variety of interests.

The Dental Assistant student at Texas State Technical College holds the position of office manager for Lifeline Medical Supply in Harlingen; plus, she owns and operates Hieroglyphix, a graphics design and printing business. On her own time, Navarrete likes to read and experience life outdoors.

She spends 25 hours per week handling tasks for Lifeline Medical Supply, which sells health-care products. For example, she recently conducted blood sugar screenings to test for diabetes at the Community Resource Fair on campus.

Her father, Luis Navarrete, owned Hieroglyphix for more than 30 years until his death about four years ago. She assisted him by creating computerized forms for printing and now she maintains service for several clients. While working at Hieroglyphix for her father, she served 11 years as project manager for the Homeland Security / Border Patrol detention facility near Bayview.

“It all worked out OK for me,” she said. “I still get a lot of free time, but college is my number one priority.”

She enrolled full time at TSTC in 2006 to seek a diploma involving business management. She’s taking nine credits for fall semester 2008 and Navarrete said that she will take 12 credits in spring semester 2009.

She plans to advance into the Dental Hygiene program.

Her outdoor interests include relaxation, fishing and yard work, and she continues to find time for reading a wide range of publications. She explained, “I enjoy staying informed.”

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Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

Remembering Eric Chavez

June 17, 1987 - May 31, 2008

CHRISTOPHER ERIC CHAVEZ a.k.a.YOUNG TEKE, TWIN, KIDD CARLEONE, and most important of all MIJO, I know I taught you a lot of things, but I believed it was you who have taught me far more than you will ever know. Your desire to fit somewhere was eluding till you became one with your trade, handing over the definition of lyfe defined by your writings/ music enlightening many with your style of thug poetry.

We will carry on your legacy, as we are all Family in this rap game. Your "IN THA DIRT…” You will forever have my respect.

I love you mijo. Tío Wally Hello My Sunshine, Here I am missing you. You made me so happy and proud of you. I just wish I could hug and tell you how much I love you once again.

Pray to God that I will see you in those pearly gates someday.

Love You Christopher Eric Chavez “Young Teke” Love, Grandma Josie Eric, From the very start you’ve been my everything, and you’ve taught me all that I know and showed me how to stack them papa’s by spittin out my flows. Now you’re in tha sky shinin like a star forever a mark always kept in my heart. I LOVE AND MISS YOU, MY BIG BRO.

Eric, my son, I know that I wasn’t a perfect dad, but I always tried to give you everything I could. But I didn’t think life would be this short. But I know now how it feels to be without a son. But someday we will see each other again, and you will always be my son.

Yo lil sista Mendy aka Baby Carleone I.T.D

Love, Dad

Eric, My little bro, you and I have had our ups and downs but that just made us stronger. Even though you’re in heaven you will always be my little brother.

Big Brother, I miss you. Are you having a good time? Because I want to see you one more time, because I love you.

Because I was worrying how you were doing?

Gilberto Briseno, Jr.

Carlos your little “C”

My son-Eric, There has not been a day that goes by that I don’t think about you. I know I am not the most perfect Mother, but when you were little I attended parental classes that taught “Tough Love” and that is what I used on you. I wanted the best for you, and I thank God when you matured you understood what I meant. There was more “I love you’s.” The best part, I got to spend the very last day with you, May 30th, 2008.

Christopher Eric Chavez had just received his GED, had a part-time job at TSTC's media center and was ready to enroll at TSTC. He was looking into pursuing a career in digital sound or business. Music was his passion and Chavez would write and produce hip hop songs with his friends in his own studio under his record label In Tha Dirt.

Tragically, less than a month away from his 21st birthday, Chavez was the victim of a fatal car incident. While walking along the Highway 77 frontage road between Combes and Harlingen, he was struck by a car that failed to immediately render aid. Later that night, a police report was made.

"We can't blame [the driver]," Chavez's uncle Joe Vela said, "because we don't know the full story, but I just wished [the driver] could have stopped."

Vela described Chavez as "a thug with a big heart."

"He'd give you the shirt off his back. He took care of his friends, and they took care of him. Kids loved him and his magnetic personality.”

“He was a really hard worker,” said Bill Cisneros, Instructional Equipment Technician I for TSTC’s Media Center. “He never complained about a job he was asked to do and he was eager to learn.”

Chavez's family would like to thank everyone for their support.

For those willing to make a monetary donation to help Chavez’s family with funeral expenses, please visit www.inthadirt.com.

Eric, We had some crazy times together; you were there in my time of need. We met Sandie together, and then she later became my wife. I know the last couple of months we did not spend that much time together but I think you finally realized the busy life style I have. The day you told me “Man Tio, I understand…” that hurt but yet it made me feel good.

With finishing up school, working and your music, yeah I think you did understand. All those times I bugged you about finishing school finally started to sink in. Although you weren’t attending TSTC yet I know how close you were to starting. I want to tell you how proud I am of you! I admire your persistence and determination. Your music was your life line, and you are “…in tha dirt” and that will always be around, because you will always be around, I miss you so much, I love you.

As far as making it, as much lives as I’ve seen you touch, you have made it! Keeping “…in tha dirt” alive!

Eric, You touched so many people in your short life, especially mine. I always admired your persistence in all that was important to you, even though sometimes it drove me crazy. Your dedication to your music proved just that. I am sure you now understand why God put you “a little in all of our lives” – something you and I always talked about. I thought I could not have been more proud of you than when we hung your GED diploma on the wall, but I was wrong because when I received the letter of acceptance for you from TSTC I could not have been more proud. I love and miss you so much – if not more everyday.

Love, Tio David

Love “Tia”

I miss you, Mom

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

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by Dave Ralph

pride

success.�

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Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

Dr. J. Gilbert Leal

M

edals eluded six Texas State Technical College Harlingen students at the national SkillsUSA competition, but each participant learned lessons applicable toward their education and careers.

Categories, participants and their national ranking include: CNC Milling, Marco Rodriguez, 13; Collision Repair Technology, Chester McCloskey, 8; Heating/Ventilation/Air-Conditioning/Refrigeration, Roberto Monfil, 19; Precision Machining, Raul Pruneda, 24; Sheet Metal Fabrication, Billy Jack Weaver, 8, and Teacher Assistant, Heather Fears, 6. More than 300,000 post-secondary and college students are members of SkillsUSA and there were 91 events with approximately 5,000 students attending the national event in Kansas City, Mo. “The national SkillsUSA competition is the equivalent of the Super Bowl of technical education,” said Dr. J. Gilbert Leal, former president of TSTC Harlingen. “Our students and faculty work hard to improve their knowledge and talents for the national events, which put them among the top students in these career fields. It’s a great achievement to qualify for Kansas City and our college takes pride in the team’s success.”

McCloskey, of San Benito, who graduated from the Auto Collision Technology Department with an Associate of Applied Science degree in April, said that the experience gave him insight into how SkillsUSA adds to his education and expands his professional opportunities. “It should really, really help my job application status to put on the resume that I finished eighth in the nation,” he said.

“At TSTC, we work on projects developing parts to meet blueprint specifications similar to the Precision Machining event,” said Raul Pruneda, of Raymondville, a Machining Technology major who plans to receive his AAS in April 2009. “Grinding was the most difficult station I went to because the event dealt with a three-dimensional part.” Other stations included computerized lathe and milling, drill pressure and measuring tolerances.

Pruneda’s event started at 7:30 a.m. and finished at 5:30 p.m. He will consider another attempt at SkillsUSA competition because he gained a better understanding of time limit expectations and quality standards to practice.

Fears, who lives in Harlingen, did research, chose hands-on manipulative materials and developed a three- to four-minute lesson that she presented to a toy Care Bear, designed to simulate a 4- or 5-year-old child. “Next time, I will not be so nervous at competition and I will slow down my talking pace. I also will practice talking to a big Care Bear so the toy won’t throw me off because it was tough to improvise or play out the interaction,” she explained. “But, I met a lot of interesting people from a lot of places. I liked the pin exchange as state representatives swap SkillsUSA symbols.”

Hess said that he made new, personal contacts with industry officials that should be useful in the future.

He also discovered new perspectives on robotics and new methods to create robot programs by picking the brains of Mexican students and Festo representatives.

“The experience was fantastic – great. People might not always remember the computer programming and demonstrations we did there, but they will remember our initiative,” he said, seated in the Kansas City airport waiting for the return flight. “It was one of my best education experiences and well worth it to train and push for the opportunity because I can use what I learned.”

SkillsUSA 2009 regional competition will be held at TSTC Harlingen February 20-21.

best education

John Hess

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

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meet your new sga officers President Georgeann Calzada

My name is Georgeann Calzada and I am one of the four returning officers in Student Government. Unfortunately, I’m not returning as Secretary but fortunately I have been entrusted with the Presidency this year.

I am looking forward to a fun filled year with tons of learning experiences. On my downtime, which doesn’t happen too often, I love to hang out with my son, Aidan. I am working toward my Bachelors Degree in Applied Technology and have already attained my Associates Degree in Administrative Assistant. I hope to provide to my fellow Mustangs the great college experience I’ve received here at TSTC Harlingen.

Parliamentarian Eli Torres

Hi, my name is Eli Torres, I’m returning as your SGA Parliamentarian. I’m currently working on my certificate in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. My job as Parliamentarian is to keep order at the meetings, to head up the legislative committee, and to research any concerns students have and report back at the next meeting. I’m honored that I’m able to represent the student body once more. I’d like to say that I’ll do my best to help you with any concerns you may have. Just stop by the office and our door is always open.

Vice President Veronica Sanchez

Hi, I’m Veronica Sanchez and this has been the second year I have been part of SGA. I am a Dental Hygiene student here at TSTC and a proud mother of three beautiful little girls. I am proud to be representing the TSTC student body as your new SGA Vice President. I will continue in my duty to make sure SGA provides the students with a voice while working hard to make your college experience unforgettable.

Hello everyone, I’m Hilda and this is my second year with SGA as your Treasurer. I am working on my Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene and also a member of SADHA. Along with being a full-time student, I’m also a mother of three wonderful children. I enjoy spending time with friends, family, and my fellow SGA officers. I’m looking forward to another exciting year with SGA and the TSTC student body. See you around!

Secretary Alison Parra

My name is Shannon Padilla. I'm 24 years old. I live in San Benito, but am originally from California. I’m in my first year of the dental hygiene program and plan on graduating in 2010. I'm your new student government Historian and am excited about participating and having fun at all the SGA events. Join us and make the most of your spring semester.

Hi there, everyone! My name is Alison. I am honored to say that I am the new SGA Secretary for 2008-2009. I am also a club member of SADHA II. Currently, I am in the Dental Hygiene Program and I plan on graduating this spring! I hope I get to see you all at upcoming events and hopefully we can all make a positive difference on campus, as well as our community, together!

Want to be involved?

Treasurer Hilda Prieto

Historian Shannon Padilla

Come to the SGA meetings!

Meetings held every other Tuesday at Noon in the Student Center’s VIP room.

Visit our office!

Our office is located in the Student Center, Room122 or call 956.364.4304.

Get more info online! students.harlingen.tstc.edu

Be our friend! myspace.com/tstcsga

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Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

student leadership conference conference to develop leadership skills and motivate leaders drew students and advisors from several Texas State Technical College Harlingen organizations on January 8.

“Leadership: Your Passport to Success,” sponsored by the Office for Student Success and the Student Life Office, combined cooperative group activities with insights shared by Harlingen public schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Flores and College President Dr. Cesar Maldonado. Plans are under way to make the conference an annual event and its content ties into an upcoming series of student leadership workshops, said Joshua Hernandez, general studies and technology advisor.

“The conference is related to what we’re trying to learn as student mentors. I needed and wanted help when I was younger, and this experience will enable me to help others,” Karina Ingram, a student mentor, said.

“

Before entering Digital Media Design at TSTC, she graduated from San Benito High School in 2008. “This conference really showed me that leaders sometimes encounter hard times, but an effective leader must find ways to overcome difficulties,” she added.

by Dave Ralph

he said, and together they find ways to achieve common goals.

“Learn from failure by converting it into an educational lesson that contributes to future success,” he said.

Dr. Flores urged students to explore leadership topics and live up to their responsibilities as role models. “Leadership is not about you and it’s not about obtaining material possessions.

Leadership is about the Students participate in a team-building activity, “The Human Knot” people you serve.”

He recalled that his third grade teacher told him he was a pretty smart boy and the comment launched his self-confidence. Leaders should believe in themselves, take a stand, ignore doomsayers, and prove them wrong, he advised.

He also cautioned that a leader should possess the strength to recognize mistakes and admit those mistakes before moving forward.

“

a

TSTC Students Gain and Share Leadership Concepts

Learn from failure by converting it into an educational lesson that contributes to future success.

Dr. Maldonado said that individuals are responsible for shaping their leadership roles and future plans. They also face the opportunity to establish a positive attitude each day. Many people watch a person’s involvement in civic issues and that often causes a growth in the person’s network of connections. He cited some of his education and business interests that led to appointments from Gov. Rick Perry to more public service commitments.

“What I learned as an engineer are thinking skills and how to make decisions,” he explained. “Among your potential resources, you will find that people are valuable capital. I enjoy working with the staff and students in a team environment.”

He advised individuals to tap into experts’ knowledge by absorbing and using their ideas.

Leaders tend to gravitate toward people who share similar values, Dr. Cesar Maldonado, TSTC President

Student Government Association President Georgeann Calzada said that the teamwork activities demonstrated how listening to each other leads to progress because it encourages more participation. Veronica Sanchez, SGA vice president, said that students - whether in leadership or follower roles - should openly communicate.

“Students got the idea that they could come to the SGA, mentors and tutors as resources so they could work together,” SGA Treasurer Hilda Prieto said.

Organizations and programs represented at the conference included Chemical-Environmental Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Astronomy Club, Dental Explorers, Mechatronics Technology, Students Promoting Anime & Manga, Computer Drafting & Design Technology and Business Professionals of America.

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

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opinion feature

student club

environmental club

we hear ya!

It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the envinronment.

by Dr. Sarah Merrill, Professor (Communication and Humanities)

t

- Ansel Adams

he Environmental Club remained active during summer semester by participating in events associated with the ecological, cultural and political impact related to construction of the new border wall that will separate the United States from Mexico.

Last summer, former Environmental Club President Veronica Wick attended a rally opposed to the border wall and featured speeches at the World Birding Center in historic Roma. Club members were invited to dine on cabrito with the mayor of Roma’s sister city across the river, Miguel Aleman. This summer, a dedicated group of TSTC students, alumni, and the club mascot Ladybird - a cream colored Labby mute dog - finished the anti-border wall march from the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, down International Boulevard to the Hidalgo County Courthouse accompanied by many UTPA and South Texas College students and a few hundred other marchers. TSTC Harlingen was represented by our students at the No Border Wall Rally and March, and students learned a great deal from attending the lectures and speeches held in the UTPA auditorium before the march.

happened farther west where this border wall design has been constructed. Engineers predict that this design defect and wall or fence collapse will happen eventually to all segments of the new structure.

Flood waters will surely affect the segment of fence constructed during the week of Hurricane Dolly around the former U.S. community of Granjeno. Local residents effectively resisted installation of the Border Fence, but they were forced to compromise and have a border wall built. The town of Granjeno contains lands that local families have owned since before the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Environmentalists are especially concerned about the ecological harms that could result from the fence. Natural watershed drainage will be disturbed, causing flooding that would threaten many species - including humans and endangered U.S. species like the ocelot will be prevented from swimming across the Rio Grande to breed with Mexican populations. The ocelots will soon die out from inbreeding or loss of habitat. The rare Ringed Kingfishers - visited by thousands of Winter Texan visitors who love to “bird” the Valley as they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars here - nest in the riverbanks. So, all riverbank disturbances also threaten these rare species.

Environmentalists are especially concerned about the ecological harms that could result from the fence.

Bonno,

Club President Karissa Carrera, Jerome Walter Vasquez, and alumna Cristina marched on a very hot day. Signs made and carried by other students were humorous and effective by referring to the increasingly intense hurricanes caused by global warming and students at the march expressed concern about the ecological naivete of the Border Fence (wall and levee/wall combination plan). The sign on a large funnel shaped board read, “Hurricane Salinas,” naming the feared storm after the Hidalgo County judge who agreed to Homeland Security proposals to build a combination levee and fence.

Opponents of the Border Fence argue that taking down the levees, thinning them and then installing a steel wall in the riverside or front of the levee will cause the wall to breach from water, which will undermine and collapse the wall forward. Similar problems have

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Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

Ecotourists don’t like fences and opposition to the border wall from Winter Texans and students has made an impact on the project. The Economist magazine (an international news and commentary publication) reported that South Texas has the only viable resistance to the border wall, although citizens are resisting it all the way west through California and Arizona.

Students interested in a good student club with kind people in it and fun activities (for example, another Green Film Festival on the Logic and Science of Global Climate Change and some field trips to wildlife refuges or preserves) should contact Karissa Carerra or Dr. Merrill (364.4840) and look for signs announcing our first meetings. All species are welcome but especially Mustangs!

by Sebrina Schultz

Old 97s “Busted Afternoon”

Unplug your cell phone chargers when not in use.

from the album Fight Songs www.mypace.com/theold97s

For several years now, various organizations have been encouraging us to unplug those chargers when our electronics are fully juiced up. The benefits of this have been proven time and time again. A study conducted by Future Forest states that “Only 5% of the power drawn by cell phone chargers are actually used to charge phones.

The other 95% is wasted when you leave it plugged into the wall, but not into your phone. The lesson?

Unplug your charger when you are not using it. If you don’t, it’s just wasting your money and adding to the pollution created by burning fossil fuels.”

The Thermals “Pillar of Salt”

from the album The Body The Blood The Machine www.mypace.com/thethermals Lily Allen “Alfie”

from the album Alright, Still www.mypace.com/lilymusic

Sure unplugging your chargers is a habit that will take a while to get used to; I’ll admit I even forget sometimes. But in the long run it is just one small step we can take to decrease the footprint we are leaving on our planet. Plus you’ll be saving money on your electric bill. A win-win if I ever saw one.

Skinny Puppy “Politikil”

from the album Mythmaker www.mypace.com/skinnypuppy

you’re a tstc student if...

1. You play your car music loud enough for the whole parking lot to hear.

by Ara Stevens

2. Your idea of a complete meal is Mustang Burger with drink and fries.

3. You consider Stripes to be a four star restaurant.

4. You probably wear the same shirt for 3 days straight and no one notices.

5. You’ve gone to every building in the school and compared it to yours. (I know I have.)

6. You usually wear black or band t-shirts.

7. You can’t work without an MP3 player and chewing gum.

8. You’ve made friends with the vending machines.

9. You think Rusty has a height deficiency.

10. You still don’t know where Building A is.

T HE STAFF PLAYLIST

green tip of the month

check out what the Photojournalism and Design Club is currently listening to!

Aerosmith “Back Back Train”

from the album Honkin’ On Bobo www.mypace.com/aerosmith Kenny Chesney “Don’t Blink”

from the album Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates www.mypace.com/kennychesney

Deerhoof “Spiral Golden Town”

from the album Green Cosmos www.mypace.com/deerhoof The Raveonettes “Dead Sound”

from the album Lust, Lust, Lust www.mypace.com/theraveonettes

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

17

entertainment for your

New Releases

at your local Learning resource center

we hear ya!

I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”

- Groucho Marx

bidding them farewell with a bouquet from her own garden. Her carefully structured life shifts when she discovers a neglected little girl, Trecie, playing in the funeral parlor, desperate for a friend. It changes even more when a detective starts questioning her again about a body she prepared three years ago, an unidentified girl found murdered in a nearby strip of woods.

Luck, Texas. But when the brutal murder and scalping of a mysterious drifter leads to a clash between cavalry soldiers and a band of Comanche Indians suspected of the killing, a fullscale Indian uprising seems likely.

The Wrecking Crew

Traffic

Why We Drive the Way We Do

by Thomas Frank

Casting back to the early days of the conservative revolution, The Wrecking Crew describes the rise of a ruling coalition dedicated to dismantling government. But rather than cutting down the big government they claim to hate, conservatives have simply sold it off, deregulating some industries, defunding others, but always turning public policy into a private-sector bidding war.

A Tale out of Luck

by Willie Nelson & Mike Blakely

Retired Texas Ranger Captain Hank Tomlinson intends to spend the rest of his days raising cattle on his Broken Arrow Ranch, and nurturing his frontier town of

(and What it Says About Us)

by Tom Vanderbilt

Polanski

by Christopher Sandford

This dramatic account weaves together the rich and complex life of the celebrated and controversial film director, Holocaust survivor, and exile, Polanski. Acclaimed biographer Sandford draws on dozens of interviews with actors who have worked with Polanski, as well as previously sealed transcripts of his criminal hearings, testimony before the California grand jury following the accusations that led to his exile, and personal reflections on the murders of Sharon Tate and other friends of the couple.

New revelations about Polanski's life include the connection between his mother’s death in Auschwitz and wife Sharon Tate’s murder, his radical transition from childhood poverty to a glamorous Hollywood life among socialites, and a culmination of tragedies in Polanski’s life.

Based on exhaustive research and interviews with driving experts and traffic officials around the globe, Traffic gets under the hood of the everyday activity of driving to uncover the surprisingly complex web of physical, psychological, and technical factors that explain how traffic works, why we drive the way we do, and what our driving says about us.

WHAT IS THE LRC? The TSTC Dr. J. Gilbert Leal Learning Resource Center (LRC) provides a variety of services aimed to help students and faculty meet educational goals. The LRC houses the library, media center and board conference room.

Whether for work or leisure, there are • 93 computers • 4 printers • a scanner • 10,000+ journals • 58,000+ electronic books • DVDs • 10 study rooms • orentation room • display cases To see what software is offered at the LRC, please visit its Web site at www.harlingen.tstc.edu/library.

To reserve the Orientation Room, please call the circulation desk at 364.4609.

Display cases are available to showcase TSTC activities, services, programs and to commemorate special observances.

To reserve a display case, call Anna Cortez at 364.4608.

Tethered

by Amy Mackinnon

Clara Marsh is an undertaker who doesn’t believe in God. She spends her solitary life among the dead, preparing their last baths and

The Learning Resource Center staff encourages cultural and information literacy by organizing events such as database orientations, puppet shows, art exhibits, poetry readings, workshops and seminars.

All you need at the LRC to borrow a book is a valid TSTC student ID.

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

19

ct on IMperfe oberts R n i m Benja

. desert e h t in you’ re n e h w r. water, erwate d e n b u e uld r your ’r o o u c f o I y g n h i n rch whe I wis e air, ’ re sea b u o ld y u hen I co map, w I wish e h t e b ar.

I could your c I wish g n i v nd i ’ re dr dark a n. u o o a i y t n a n w n do whe desti alking w e fuel, b r u ld o u en y I co a ht, wh g I wish li st on a e r e b o t ead I could your h I wish y la ou th. when y ned pa , o t d e n k a he n ab a bla ough t r e h b t ld g flyin I cou m of I wish a e r d ou when y ight. n , s g y n ll i i ch the w storm. n e i a b r ld e th I cou e from I wish le f u lf. n yo y, whe yourse . p s o d t n u u a c c lo c 've hed the en you e reac h 'v w uld be u o , o c e y g I en nda I wish on, wh the ba lk e a b w you I could ground I wish e h t ur last e o b y ld u u o I co es y I wish ich giv h w . , n d tio loo estina e of b c n u o your d the uld be o c I $'( $* I wish & )"" f air. o h t a &bre $#, (' , # " # ) $)( ,$ $)( $ & " # # ' ( ( & ' (+ ! * ' #( + %' ' ,$)& ! # # # $ '( , ( & ( + '( $# , ( $# + ' ) ( $ & % ( &'

New Year' s Kiss Sebrina Sc hultz, DMD

Helene & G aeric Such a silly odd pair Worst coup le ever But I reall y don' t car e

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

P LEASE

And I find myself dre aming Something crazy and n ew Big yards a nd guard d o gs I' m blamin g this on y ou I wasn' t th e type For steamin g hot bath s And I' m dr eaming of lu llabies From our c urly-haired boy' s laughs

Becaus e this With his Ne country bo y w Yea Chang r' s k ed in i t s o s From his br my Prince C azen frog p harming r And I ince fi Somet nd myself hi dream i Big ya ng crazy a nd ne ng rds a w n I' m b d guar laming d dog s this o n you I used to be Secre differ tly lo ent oked Fell i f o n love r sign , f s Rinse & rep ell out of eat 2 l 1/2 tim ove e s I chan ge I chan d my mind . ge I chan d my hair . ge I lear d my room ned t . o play I adop fair. te Just t d pets. o give I wro t te a b hem away. ook.

So I f orgot my re grets .

And t hen I found you.

And n ow th is cou With nt his Ne w Yea ry boy Chang r' s k ed in iss to my From P rince his br C azen frog p harming rince And h e' s m y It' s m P y New rince Char m Year' s kiss ing

DO NOT WRITE ON ACTUAL TSTC DESKS

It started simple With corny pick-up line s Things chan ged unnotic ed Gmail chats over 3 mon ths time I was diffe rent I had my d reams 6th floor w alk-ups Dusty shelv es filled t o the brim s Schuster & Simon Lullaby of calico and sirens My dreams changed so mehow Those belo ng to only back then Because th is country boy With his N ew Year' s k iss Changed in to my Prin c e Charming From his b razen frog prince

21

Get involved in

Student Publications!

Ever wonder where the content of the Mustang Messenger and TSTC’S yearbook, The Mustang comes from?

It comes from YOU!

The Mustang Messenger is compiled of stories, reviews and artwork submitted by TSTC students. If you’d like to submit your creative work for the next issue, e-mail it to phdclub@gmail.com.

For more information call 956.364.4116.

Intramural Sports

sportsschedule

intramural

TSTC Fieldhouse

Indoor Sports

Outdoor Sports

Fitness

Basketball Volleyball Soccer Dodgeball Raquetball Kickball

Flag Football Softball Soccer Kickball

Cardio Room Weight Room Walking Trail Aerobic Classes Muscle Toning Classes

Like to dance?

Call 364.4346 for more information about the TSTC Silver Spurs dance team.

FIELDHOUSE HOURS Monday - Thursday 10AM - 9PM Friday 10AM - 2 PM Saturday 1PM - 5PM 22

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

spring2009

SPORT/EVENT

DIVISION

SPECIFICATIONS

DEADLINE

basketball league

open

5 on 5

1/30/09

softball league

open

roster limit - 15

2/13/09

raquetball tourney

open

doubles

3/13/09

table tennis tourney

open

doubles

3/13/09

dodgeball tourney

open

5 on 5

4/3/09

A Captain’s Meeting will be called before the game. A team captain/representative must attend the Captain’s Meeting.

Contact the Fieldhouse staff at 364.4340 for more details.

aerobics

monday - friday: 12 noon wednesdays: 5:15PM

TSTC Games April 18, 2009 TSTC Harlingen

STUDENT WORKSHOP Let’s Be Flexible A focus on the importance of stretching before any type of physical activity in order to encourage flexibility and help prevent injury.

February 11, 2009 | 12 - 1PM Call 364.4301 for more information.

Zumba fuses hypnotic latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a dynamic workout system that will blow you away.

Write a story. Write a poem. Take a picture. State your opinions. Cover an event. Review a restaurant. Take more pictures. Show off your digital or traditional art. Review a movie. Promote your club. Review a game. Be creative!

Send your submissions to phdclub@gmail.com, or call 956.364.4116 for more information.

credits EDITORS Melani Zuniga Coordinator of Publications Keri Gutierrez Director of Public Information & News STAFF WRITER Dave Ralph Communications Writer

Belly dance fitness is for

Belly dance is properly known as Raks Sharki or Oriental dance. It is a unique activity that will work your entire body.

DESIGNERS Laura Amaro Digital Media Design Technology Sebrina Schultz Digital Media Design Technology CONTRIBUTING WRITERS credited CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS credited

Fieldhouse Tuesday | Thursday Room 129 | 6:30PM 1902 N. Loop 499 Harlingen, TX 78550 1.800.852.8784 www.harlingen.tstc.edu

Intramurals Department Personnel: Armando “Brany� Dominguez, Supervisor Room 101 Phone: 956.364.4341 Email: brany.dominguez@harlingen.tstc.edu

TSTC Harlingen is a two-year higher education institution emphasizing courses of study in technical education for which there is a demand within the state of Texas.

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

View the Mustang Messenger online at harlingen.tstc.edu/mustang

Get fit and have fun!

get involved!

23

STUDENT ART GALLERY ART

AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Viewing Life From a Tree DIGITAL ART

TSTC STUDENTS Yellow Butterfly on Lightbulb DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Sebrina Schultz, DMDT

Patti Quiroga, CSMT

Tulip

Forgotten Angel

DIGITAL ART

DIGITAL ART

Sarah Maldonado, DMDT

Ara Stevens, DMDT