June 7, 2022

TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2022 VOLUME 112 ISSUE 1 www.UniversityStar.com

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

MAIN POINT SEE PAGE 5

FAST FASHION SEE PAGE 4

MANHATTAN CLUB

BASEBALL GALLERY

SEE PAGE 7

SEE PAGE 10

SUMMER

IN Smtx

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

The University Star

2 | Tuesday, June 7, 2022

NEWS

Madelyn Weirich News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

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STAR FILE PHOTO

Education students respond to rise in school shootings

By Maya Hicks News Contributor On May 24, educators across the U.S. were forced to consider the unexpected risks associated with their jobs when an 18-year-old opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 students and two teachers.

For many educators, the occurrence served as a wakeup call to the commonality of this form of violence.

At the time of the shooting, 2022 had only seen 144 days. Still, that day marked the 212th mass shooting in the U.S. this year, and at least 33 more shootings have occurred since then.

Uvalde is just a two-hour drive from San Marcos, and it has become increasingly obvious that a tragedy like the one at Robb Elementary can happen to anyone in any school. At Texas State, it has led to feelings of anxiety and impatience among future educators.

“It makes me nervous,” Paige Spell, an education senior, said. “That could be me one day… it’s terrible. How do you explain to your students that their friends aren’t coming back again?”

The atmosphere surrounding gun control has caused debate, spanning decades in the U.S. Some believe their right to bear arms under the 2nd amendment should not be hindered by these tragic events, while others would prefer to use them as cautionary tales. Many Republicans, along with the National Rifle Association (NRA), convey the narrative that guns are not the problem, people are the problem.

Democrats have been challenging that narrative, both in the media and on the legislative floor.

In the last 10 years, gun-related deaths in the U.S. have increased by 43%, and gun sales saw a 64% increase in 2020, with 2021 being the secondhighest year for gun sales in the U.S., according to the Pew Research Center.

Despite this increase, Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law “constitutional carry” which allows for the permit-less carry (open or concealed) of handguns, with “no license or training needed”. This legislation received backlash from liberal lawmakers and voters alike.

Preparing teachers for this kind of event is another avenue of conversation.

In Ohio, just days after the Uvalde shooting, Republican lawmakers introduced a bill that would allow teachers to carry firearms in classrooms, as well as shorten the amount of logged training hours necessary to receive this special license.

However, students like Spell don’t believe this is the best solution.

“It’s not our job to fire back!” Spell said. “Teachers shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they’re going to shoot somebody.”

She went on to explain that the focus should be on the students’ learning, not the fear of being shot in an environment that is supposed to feel safe.

“I would take a training course, but I don’t want to keep a gun in my classroom. The first solution should be fixing our gun laws,” Spell said.

If bills like the Ohio law are passed, teachers would not only be required to keep guns in their classroom, but also take training courses that would allow them to deal with the pressures of an active shooter situation. While taking a few extra courses seems practical for many future educators, some have different thoughts about keeping a gun in their classroom.

Students like Spell would rather not keep guns around the children.

However, Cara Jackson, an education senior, would be willing to compromise her discomfort if there were no other option. She said she would agree to arm teachers as long as they are given extensive preparation.

“I personally don’t know how comfortable I would feel having a gun in the classroom,” Jackson said. “[However], I wouldn’t be opposed if all the teachers had extensive training.”

Assistant Principal at Round Rock High School Jeff Black offers another perspective. He believes that teachers and staff at schools should work to help students break out of the mindset that causes them to commit such violence by offering support and connecting them to resources.

“It’s as much about gun control as it is about mental health. What are the ‘triggers’ for these events?” Black said.

Several states, such as New York, have considered this factor as well.

By raising the age-limit to buy semiautomatic weapons from 18 to 21, they hope to keep guns out of the hands of emotionally driven teenagers.

When it comes to advising his staff, Black does his best to promote what he refers to as “situational awareness.”

He acknowledges that often, the perpetrators of school shootings are “our most vulnerable kids.” Ultimately, Black believes that the educational system should be learning how to identify and efficiently help these students.

He also pointed out the difference in mass shootings between states with more restrictive gun laws and those with easy access to guns. In 2020, the New York Times reported that California, which is known for having some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country, experienced 8.5 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people, compared with 13.7 nationally and 14.2 in Texas.

When comparing the numbers with other countries, particularly developed nations, there’s an even more dramatic difference.

According to the Pew Research Center, in 2016, the rate of gun deaths in the US was 10.6 per 100,000 people, while in Canada it was 2.1 and Australia it was 1.0. Both countries have signed legislation prohibiting the sale of automatic weapons, sawed-off shotguns and rifles, and limiting their possession to members of law enforcement and military personnel. In contrast, many states in the U.S. have made the acquisition of these weapons accessible to any permit holder over the age of 18.

H.R. 127, a bill created and submitted

by Democratic members of Congress, has been unsuccessful in its attempts to pass, as Republican congressmen continue to create opposition. The bill, submitted in January 2021, would limit the sales of “large capacity ammunition feeding devices,” as well as establish a new process for the licensing and registration of firearms, including psychological evaluations and insurance checks, according to its sponsor, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. It would also create a “publicly available database of all registered firearms” to be established and maintained by the Department of Justice, as well as create penalties for those who illegally purchase or sell firearms or fail to register any newly purchased guns to the mentioned registry.

“If we are serious about the epidemic of gun violence, we must summon the courage to do something about it,” Lee said in a press release following the introduction of the bill. “The need to stem the tide of gun violence is manifest and made all the more so after recounting the names and places of horrors seared in our collective conscience.”

In the next few weeks, Democratic lawmakers will be combining different bills, similar to that of HR 127, in the hopes of creating stricter gun laws on a federal level.

Despite the inherent danger presented to teachers, students like Jackson and Spell won’t let the lack of control deter them from pursuing the career they feel called to.

“It's tough,” Jackson said. “However, I want to be a teacher to inspire, and those teachers who sacrificed themselves for their [students] are the ones who inspire.”

Spell echoed a similar feeling.

“Regardless, teaching is what I want to do. It is scary knowing the potential [danger], but at the end of the day…there’s shooting that happens everywhere, all the time. So if I stop, and switch careers, I could run into a shooting anyways.”

For both students, their passion for teaching and impacting the youth of America will not be swayed, no matter what path gun control takes in the coming years.

The University Star

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 | 3

NEWS

Madelyn Weirich News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

LEGISLATION

Petition to decriminalize marijuana presented to City Council

By Nichaela Shaheen News Contributor Having presented more than the required number of valid signatures necessary to decriminalize marijuana in San Marcos, Mano Amiga hopes to improve the justice system by allowing citizens to vote one ordinance at a time.

During a press conference on March 1, Mano Amiga announced that 4,977 out of 11,256 signatures collected over the last several months had been verified in their campaign to decriminalize marijuana in San Marcos. While thousands of signatures are still unverified, the running count has already surpassed the required 10% of the number of registered voters in San Marcos.

Samantha Benavides, communications director at Mano Amiga, said this is what democracy is about.

"This is the biggest ballot initiative the city has ever seen," Benavides said. "I hope that everyone feels inspired to continue working and organizing to transform our legal system because today is just another clear demonstration that when we organize, we win."

The banning of marijuana in Texas dates back to 1915, originating in El Paso, Texas. Many who are passionate about the issue, such as Jordan Buckley, publisher at Caldwell/Hays Examiner, believe these origins were inherently racist.

"Police were saying that marijuana was leading to crime and deceit in El Paso.

But of course, you know, it's largely fueled by racism; fear of Mexicans who had immigrated into Texas," Buckley said.

When marijuana first began taking hold in Texas, it quickly became associated with Mexican immigrants, despite little evidence that immigrants were transporting or even using it. Buckley, along with other advocates and politicians such as El Paso native Beto O'Rourke, believes this first instance of marijuana criminalization in Texas was driven by racist, anti-Mexican anxieties. Still, the use of marijuana spread rapidly throughout the state, causing marijuana to be prohibited across all of Texas by 1923.

Since then, people of color have often been the targets of arrest when it comes to marijuana possession.

According to the 2017-2021 and 2022 Marijuana Possession Arrest Reports from the Texas National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Black people encompass 30.2% of all possession arrests in Texas, while only encompassing 12.9% of the Texas population.

President of Texas State's chapter of the NAACP Princely Kamanda said the signature count is a step in the right direction for the city of San Marcos.

"San Marcos is occupied by mostly minorities, so if they decriminalized marijuana, it's going to have a positive influence on the minority population," Kamanda said.

Beyond reducing racial discrepancies in the criminal justice system, students like Benjamin Cochran, an exercise and sports science sophomore, believe the decriminalization of marijuana will have positive impacts on all residents of San Marcos. Cochran said it will eliminate the number of people in jail for an unseemly crime while also creating the potential to help the economic future of the state.

"We wouldn't have any petty crimes. People wouldn't be getting jail sentences because they are smoking marijuana just at their house," Cochran said.

"Decriminalization would lead to legalization, and that would help the community, but also to help the state because they would be able to put a taxation on marijuana.

It would also be a lot safer for the community."

The current Texas State student handbook states that two infractions of a drugrelated offense by a student will result in permanent expulsion. This would possibly change with the decriminalization of marijuana. However, students like Emily Nava, an economics junior, worry that decriminalizing marijuana or removing it from the handbook would play into the stereotype that Texas State is a party school.

"I feel like it would give us less of a strict look, which can be very bad for older generations looking down on Texas State, and we already are known as a party school," Nava said. "So I feel like it could give us a negative reputation."

However, Benavides accounts that even older generations have shown support and shared their stories with her while she was collecting signatures.

Benavides recalls a time she met a woman at the post office whose son was facing up to eight years in a different state for marijuana possession. The woman told Benavides that she was mailing a letter to her son's judge and praying for a sign of hope when she ran into the organization advocating for decriminalization.

"I feel like, for every person who comes from a different time who is afraid of change, there is another person who sees this campaign as a beam of hope and change." Benavides said. "There's so many people who shared their stories with us and how they and their loved ones have been through the system who are just very

I feel like, for every person who comes from a different time who is afraid of change, there is another person who sees this campaign as a beam of hope and change." Benavides said.

Mano Amiga Communications Director Samantha Benavides speaks at City Hall after the organization presented a petition to decriminalize marijuana in San Marcos to City Council, Tuesday, June 2, 2022.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC MORALES

Mano Amiga Communications Director Samantha Benavides displays a stack of 4,977 signatures it collected alongside GroundGame Texas for a petition to decriminalize marijuana in San Marcos. While the organizations collected a total of 11,256 signatures, the signatures presented were more than enough to meet the City Charter's requirement of 10% of San Marcos voters.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC MORALES

moved and excited about this campaign."

Now that the signatures have been submitted, the ordinance will be sent to City Council to either adopt it or send it to voters. While adopting the ordinance would be a quicker path to decriminalization, Mano Amiga is strongly urging council to send it to voters so they can participate in the democracy of this ordinance.

According to Benavides, the council cannot alter the wording of the ordinance.

"They cannot make any changes to the language. That's the beauty of [using] these ballot initiatives rather than just trying to get council to do it," Benavides said. "We decided to go via ballot initiatives so they cannot water it down. They'll only be able to decipher the language that's on the ballot, but not the language that's on the ordinance."

On top of its quest to decriminalize marijuana, Mano Amiga recently helped establish a local public defender's office. In 2020, the grassroots organization advocated for and helped pass Texas' first cite and release ordinance, and campaign members continue to advocate for police accountability. Still, Benavides believes more work needs to be done in San Marcos.

"We're only just getting started," Benavides said. "So please continue to stay involved with this. I'm really glad that so many young people have been brought into this and know what it feels like to win now, because there's so much more work to be done here."

To keep up with Mano Amiga and its campaign to decriminalize marijuana, visit its Facebook @ManoAmigaSM.

4 |Tuesday, June 7 2022

The University Star

OPINIONS

Dillon Strine Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

Opinions in The University Star are not necessarily those of our entire publication, Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

MAIN POINT

Main Point: This is not normal

By The Editorial Board

Two weeks ago, 19 students and two teachers were killed during a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. At the time of writing this editorial, there have been 33 mass shootings in the U.S. since then, leaving dozens killed or wounded and millions wondering when the cycle will end.

Although we may offer our support to the grieving communities in the form of thoughts and prayers or blood and money donations, our response does not lead to meaningful change without productive government action.

Legislators at both the federal and state level talk in circles about school safety and mental health, and these are important topics to consider. However, we believe these conversations deter from the fact that no place is seemingly sacred.

If we have learned anything from America’s long history of gun violence, it is that tragedies like the ones that occurred in Uvalde at an elementary school, Tulsa at a hospital and Buffalo at a supermarket can happen anywhere, at any time.

After Uvalde, our state leaders once again called for solutions such as arming teachers and installing bullet proof windows. However, with an understanding that the venue for these acts of violence is not limited to schools, there must come a point when we stop blaming frivolous causes and start focusing on the common denominator in all of these cases: the gun.

From our earliest days of schooling, we are drilled on how to stay safe if a gunman were to enter our school. We are trained to hide under desks in a dark classroom and to remain silent. After 12 years of these drills, we who attend university find ourselves in unfamiliar water.

We attend classes in unlocked buildings with classroom doors that are often propped open. Upon entering teaching theaters, we take note of exits in the event we would need to escape. Similarly, Americans find themselves routing exits in malls, movie theaters, hospitals and concert venues. This is not normal.

It is clear to us that gun access and restrictions play a large part in the prevalence

of gun violence in the U.S. Research by one of our University Star editors shows that when comparing accumulated data of school shooting location since 2010 to the populations of each state, the deep south, where the attitude toward gun restrictions is largely laissez faire, is shown to have the greatest ratio of school shootings per capita. Alternatively, states in the northeast have had little to no school shootings in the past decade. These states are largely characterized by advocacy for gun restrictions.

Our editorial board is horrified that gun violence in the U.S. has become such a common issue. Parents should not be afraid to drop off their kids at school and students should not have doubts about their safety in the classroom. No one should have to worry about getting shot every time they step outside of their home.

We understand that the repetitiveness of the words “mass shooting” being in the news can lead to feelings of numbness and hopelessness. We know that some people may begin to dismiss this kind of news since it happens so often. As student journalists and members of the editorial board who often do not have the option to look the other way, we urge those people to keep paying attention.

Some members of our own Texas State community experienced their own devastation when the Uvalde shooting. Like them and like you, members of our board have loved ones who attend and teach in public schools. Just because you are not directly affected by such a tragedy, that does not mean those close to you and around you feel the same.

Although we do not report directly from the sources of these events, we start our own discussions with you, our readers and the students of Texas State, to listen to what you have to say on the matter.

We know that other members of our university community feel the same frustrations and fears we do. We understand that there is not one quick solution to America's gun violence problem, but we are convinced that some form of action and gun regulation is long overdue.

HOUSE BREAK

Opinion: Summer staycations can be better than vacations

By Kadence Cobb Opinions Contributor With airfare demands in the U.S. at an all-time high, there has been an increase in the cost of travel, making vacations less affordable and more crowded.

For that reason, staying at home while taking muchneeded time off work or school should be considered more often than expensive trips.

The consumer price index, which tracks the price of goods, rose by 19% in April, making it the largest increase since 1963. As summertime rolls around each year, the number of planned vacations dramatically increases. A survey conducted by The Vacationer found that over 80% of Americans planned to travel this summer.

Vacations are beneficial in lowering stress levels, creating a more positive mindset and increasing motivation. However, traveling to a vacation spot is not essential to enjoy the summer break. Staycations are beneficial to strengthen current relationships, save money and reconnect with one’s community.

Staying at home during the summer break allows college students to direct their time and energy toward loved ones. The school year can become overloaded with class schedules, extracurriculars and events but the summer presents a great opportunity for students to enjoy spending time with the people in their lives.

A survey conducted by the College Pulse found that nearly 14,500 college students claimed their relationship with their parents improved significantly since beginning college. With the independence gained through moving to college, the students claimed that they had a newfound appreciation for their parents.

The summer break is a great opportunity to show appreciation towards parental figures by spending more time with them.

That being said, this opportunity is not limited, and it can be applied to other relationships as well.

Exploring your community with a group of friends is a great way to indulge in a staycation and offers many benefits. Spending time with friends can improve self-confidence, promote a healthier lifestyle, increase a sense of belonging and reduce stress. Without the distractions present throughout the school year, the summertime allows for students to uplift one another through quality time spent together.

Travelling can become very expensive, and staycations can be much more fitting for a college student’s budget. The average cost of a one-week vacation in the U.S. is over $1,500. Depending on location, planned activities, food and transportation, this sum can become significantly larger.

43% of full-time undergraduate students work jobs while they are enrolled in school, and college expenses are very high. Staycations offer students the benefit of a decreased vacation cost and opportunities to explore their community. With a busy college schedule, it can become easy to fall into a repetitive pattern in dayto-day life. Summer break is a great opportunity for college students to break this cycle.

ILLUSTRATION BY AFAAF ALNAHAS

Attending local events is a great way to spend time on a staycation and find other individuals sharing similar interests. Staycations do not have to follow a specific format and should instead be spent participating in enjoyable activities within proximity. Attending game nights, outdoor markets, concerts, fitness gatherings, conventions, museums, or art classes are all great ways to spend time during a staycation.

Showing up to these events locally improves an individual's sense of belonging in the community, which helps to reduce mental health issues and boosts human connection. While finding a local event to attend can be intimidating for some individuals, it is important for students to get out of their comfort zone and explore their area.

Staycations can help individuals explore their community but there may be limitations due to the constraints of one's residency. The extent of local activities available could be minimal depending upon their town's size and location. Some activities may not be locally accessible for individuals. Regardless, the staycation's impacts are hugely beneficial for students who choose to partake in the activity.

While some individuals may be taking summer classes, working or participating in extracurricular activities throughout the summer, it is important for

college students to allow themselves to relax. Whether that be through a gathering of friends and family or by themselves — staycations offer many benefits. They are a cost-efficient way to spend time with loved ones, explore one’s community and designate a time to relax.

- Kadence Cobb is a journalism freshman The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication.

Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

The University Star

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 | 5

OPINIONS

Dillon Strine Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

FAST FASHION

Opinion: College students need more sustainable clothing options

By Tiara Allen Opinions Contributor

Avoiding fast fashion can be difficult for college students who have limited income and time, and there is a need for a middle ground.

Fast fashion is a phrase used to describe trendy, inexpensive clothing found online or in popular stores.

While many are lured in by the stylish items, unbelievably low price points and massive sales, they are repulsed to learn many of the unethical business practices that the fast fashion industry participates in, such as textile waste, child labor and underpaying its workers.

Though 80% of university students did not have a clear understanding of the harms of fast fashions in a January 2017 study, growing climate concerns amongst Generation Z are leading students to seek more knowledge on the topic. However, once one is aware of the ubiquity of fast fashion, it can be difficult to avoid.

The accessibility of fast fashion brands makes the temptation and convenience difficult for college students to pass up.

Many brands notorious for fast fashion practices, such as H&M and Forever 21, have widespread and flashy storefronts.

Meanwhile, stores with online models, such as Shein and Fashion Nova, are constantly pumping out new styles to match microtrends.

Shein is one of the worst offenders; a study conducted

by Sheng Lu from the University of Delaware found that in twelve months, the Gap listed 12,000 items on its site, H&M listed 25,000, Zara listed 35,000 and Shein listed 1.3 million. Even more startlingly, Shein releases up to 6,000 items a day on average on its site. Online fast fashion stores also use time counters, limited-time-only sales and aptly placed product recommendations to create a sense of urgency and encourage users to purchase more than they initially intended.

It is understandable how those who are unaware of fast fashion — or even those who are but are short on resources or alternative options — can be lured in. The temptation becomes even stronger for college students because these stores, which offer fast shipping for low prices or weekend hours at storefronts, serve as a place for them to quickly purchase clothing.

To make matters worse, fast fashion brands often employ influencers from Youtube, TikTok and Instagram to create outfits and haul videos for them.

Because of the fast-moving nature of social media trends, these influencers often encourage their followers to purchase new items or even a new wardrobe as each trend comes and goes.

Even those who desire to wear their new items after the trend has passed will not have much luck; studies show that designs for clothing sold at fastfashion retailers are designed to be worn less than ten times. Because of the low price point, buyers are less concerned about discarding the item and purchasing a new one, but that only worsens the growing textile waste problem in America, which has doubled from seven million tons to 14 million tons annually in the past 20 years.

Shopping for sustainable clothing brands can be expensive and the items are often outside of a college student's meager budget. This is an expense that can be difficult to avoid because the very things that make

stock their sizes or style nearby can often turn to the Internet to use resell apps such as Poshmark and Depop to purchase secondhand clothing, often at discounted rates.

Many times, people interested in thrift shopping cannot find items that suit them, and most often, plus-sized people bear the brunt of this exclusion. Plussized women have frequently spoken about their difficulties finding clothing that is fashionable and well-fitting, and these issues often compound in secondhand shopping.

Because the fashion industry did not mass produce for plus-sized women for several decades, there are fewer plussized vintage and second-hand items to go around. For those that do exist, the competition is fierce, even amongst straight-sized women who like to wear some plus-sized items as oversized pieces. As a result, many plus-sized women leave thrift stores empty-handed and discouraged and often turn to fast fashion, which is generally more sizeinclusive and inexpensive.

Additionally, the rise in the popularity of thrift shopping has raised questions about its gentrification. Popular thrift stores have raised prices, pricing out the poor and working-class shoppers who were the original target market. Those shoppers report via social media that ILLUSTRATION BY MADISON WARE they find that wealthier shoppers or thrift fast fashion cheap are what makes it unsustainable resellers buy the more fashionable clothes in large and unethical. Mateusz Zawada, chief financial officer quantities. While it seems unfair to lay the sole blame of Starseeds, a slow fashion clothing brand based in for rising thrift store prices at the feet of new shoppers London, states that the prices of sustainable fabrics than the institutions that choose to increase prices, can be two to four times the cost of non-sustainable those concerned about possible gentrification may find fabrics. This is due to the expensive processes that are it is better for them to limit their thrift shop purchases. used to cultivate sustainable fabrics plus low demand Detractors and cynics argue that searching for a viable from other clothing companies, who often opt for middle ground is futile under our current economic cheaper fabrics such as polyester. system because most fashion brands, whether cheap or Ethical fashion brands have a difficult time competing luxury, use some sort of exploitation or unsustainable with fast fashion brands because fast fashion brands resources. While I acknowledge the difficulties of often severely undercut the wages of factory employees creating a product that is perfectly free of exploitation in order to offer such rock-bottom prices, something and 100% sustainable, I believe that pushing for a ethical fashion brands are unwilling to do. product that is any measure of an improvement is a According to the Garment Worker Center in Los massive step in the right direction.

Angeles, most garment workers in California work for College students who have the time and resources 60 to 70 hours a week in dirty, dangerous conditions, to shop sustainably or buy secondhand should and are paid at a rate of two to six cents per piece absolutely do so but there is a need for sustainable instead of a minimum wage. These workers, often fashion available at low prices for all students. Until women of color and immigrants, only take home $300 that solution is found, the best we can do is consume a week on average. Many major fashion brands rely less, take good care of our clothing, seek out better on such cheap labor to not only maintain their low quality clothing and demand better business practices prices but to remain in business; increasing their wages from fashion executives. would risk their bottom line, so they see no incentive to do so.

-Tiara Allen is a marketing senior College students with an interest in both fashion and more ethical, sustainable business practices find The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from that, outside of a sizeable income or financial support its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by from parents, switching to sustainable clothing is more the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication. easily said than done. The median dependent college Not all letters are guaranteed for publication. student earned $3,900, and the median independent college student earned $13,880 in the 2015-2016 school year — wages that are insufficient for quality clothing. As a result, students must look elsewhere to shop sustainably.

Thrifting is the best, most immediate alternative to fast fashion. Though it is a valuable option, it has its drawbacks. The styles, sizes and items available in thrift stores vary widely depending on those donating in that area. Those who do not have thrift stores that

6 |Tuesday, June 7, 2022

The University Star

OPINIONS

Dillon Strine Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

Opinion: Don’t be afraid to take summer classes SCHOOL'S NOT OUT

not a problem, then don’t let fear, laziness or stigma stop you from fulfilling your educational goals to the fullest.

By Mckenna Bailey Opinions Contributor

Growing up, kids and teens are afraid of going to summer school. Commonly, you didn’t perform well academically, and you need to make up work or grades. It also means less time for you to have fun during the summer. In college, however, it’s different.

Curb your fear of taking summer classes, as ignoring the stigma will only bring you closer to graduating.

Taking summer classes helps to distribute your fall and spring workload so you don’t end up taking too many hours during those regular semesters. Getting some of those daunting classes out of the way creates more opportunities for you to focus on classes you prefer. For those that plan on leaving town, schools often offer online and asynchronous class options so there is no obligation to commute to campus in the summer.

Rise above any prior misconceptions of why you should not take summer classes. Stigmas from middle school or high school simply don’t apply in college.

You may be able to boost your confidence because you never realized that you could get so much done in so little time before. That confidence can be gained from opportunities a lot of people wish they had. 51% of families say that they would take advantage of summer learning if they could, according to the National Summer Learning Association.

Taking summer classes will keep your mind engaged and sharp for the next school year. In a study by the University of California, Merced of first-year students' retention rates, they found retention was higher when students took summer classes, as 98% of those who took a summer class returned for the fall semester, compared to 84% of those who had not. Taking summer classes is also the perfect opportunity to get all of your electives done or learn skills that don’t necessarily apply to your degree.

For summer semesters, instructors condense their syllabuses since they are shorter at commonly five weeks. The summer semester is less stressful since classroom sizes are smaller and you get more time with your instructor. So, forget what you knew in high school. College is different and requires a different mindset.

Since the semester is so short, you also have the ability to take electives that are less challenging, more relaxed or more fun. It helps to expand your academic toolbelt and build off skills that matter or that will help you get a job after college, as you most likely will not get a scheduled summer break to learn these things in your future career.

For some students, taking a summer class is not an option because of insufficient time or money, work obligations, vacations or job searches. Some just may not like the fast-paced environment and constant workload. If this is you, then do not feel like you absolutely need to sign up for summer school.

This is not an article trying to convince you to take summer classes. There are a lot of factors to consider when enrolling for the summer, but if those things are

- McKenna Bailey is a digital media innovation senior The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication.

Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

ILLUSTRATION BY AFAAF ALNAHAS

GUN CONTROL

Opinion: Texas government leaders lack accountability

By Dillon Strine Opinions Editor Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called the mass shooting a “heinous and senseless act of violence.”

“Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific shooting and to the entire community in this time of loss,” Abbott said in a statement according to the San Antonio Report. “While no words can provide the solace needed for those impacted by this event, I ask that all Texans join Cecilia and me in offering our prayers for the victims and their families.”

The problem with such a heartfelt, although general statement lies in the fact that it was issued not after the May 24 mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, but rather after the third deadliest mass shooting in Texas occurred at a Walmart in El Paso in 2019. Two years prior in 2017, the deadliest mass shooting in Texas occurred at a church in Sutherland Springs.

This time around, the Governor offered a seemingly familiar statement of hollow words and inaction for

ILLUSTRATION BY MADISON WARE

the victims of the tragedy.

“Texans across the state are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime and for the community of Uvalde,” Abbott said in a statement posted to his official Twitter account. “Cecilia and I mourn this horrific loss and we urge all Texans to come together to show our unwavering support to all who are suffering.”

The trend of thoughts and prayers will continue with no legal action being taken to prevent these mass shootings, as not only has nothing been done to stop potentially violent people from purchasing these weapons, but it may become easier to procure one. The state is one of the weakest when it comes to gun laws, scoring an F on a gun law scorecard from the gun control advocacy group Giffords: Courage To Fight Gun Violence.

1.73 million firearm background checks were done in 2020, brought on by an overwhelming number of first-time gun owners. The amount of money spent by gun lobbyists was five times the amount spent by gun control groups in 2021, a shift from 2020, a presidential election year when gun control groups were able to outspend. This money changes hands from advocates and lobbyists directly to politicians to sway which way they vote on legislation. The National Rifle Association (NRA) have spent millions to turn back the tide for the upcoming midterms.

While there are huge leaps that must be taken toward gun control and efforts have been made, gun sales have loopholes around background checks, and the 2019 House Resolution 8 (HR8) has yet to receive enough bipartisan support to land on the president's desk.

For certain, there are two things that should be done in the immediate future if we had a competent government, the first being the enforcement of universal background checks. 89% of Americans support background checks for all people and 86% back "red flag" laws that would allow police to take guns from individuals deemed dangerous by a judge, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll.

In the meantime, voting is the second course of action that needs to be taken. Not every four years, not every midterm, but in every local election remains imperative. Americans are tired of being told how important each election is, yet elected officials fail to do their job when another mass shooting happens.

Taking action does not stop at voting. We must continue to hold elected officials accountable after our votes are cast.

Abbott will look to line his pockets and defend his seat in November against Democrat Beto O’Rourke,

who confronted the serving Governor at his press conference in Uvalde.

As news broke on May 24 of the school shooting, the Governor continued his regularly scheduled fundraising on his way to his Uvalde press conference while other state representatives canceled similar events. Just days after the second-worst mass shooting in Texas, all under his term as governor, Abbott and several of his Republican colleagues were scheduled to speak at a convention for the NRA in Houston.

As Abbott continues to offer his thoughts and prayers, Texans are demanding action. As of April, 51% of Texas voters say that the state is headed in the wrong direction, the Texas Politics Project reports.

Additionally, 41% disapproved of Abbott's actions.

Numbness is felt and humanity and hope are lost as news breaks of another mass shooting, day after day. Ten days after a gunman took the lives of 10 in a Buffalo Tops supermarket, not far from where I grew up in upstate New York, I watched San Antonio news broadcasters interview Uvalde family members seeking knowledge of the whereabouts of their either traumatized or slain elementary school children.

After both events took place, I watched my childhood baseball team, the New York Yankees, play one of its 162 regular-season games to escape from the sometimes jarring realities of living in America. The Yankees delivered via a walk-off hit by a Texas native, catcher Jose Trevino. For a few hours, I was happily distracted by a story about a Texas kid living out his big league dreams, dreams that 19 Uvalde children cannot live out now.

As the Uvalde community mourns their lost loved ones, they seek answers and demand action and accountability from a state with a growing history of gun violence. The current governing body will help for as long as it can by offering its thoughts and prayers.

Through action, starting at the polling station, these heartless characters can relinquish power.

- Dillon Strine is a journalism senior The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication.

Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.teed for publication.

The University Star

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 | 7

LIFE & ARTS

Marisa Nunez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

LGBTQ+

Texas State students uncover history behind Austin's first gay-friendly space

By Brianna Chavez Life and Arts Contributor Just two blocks south of the Texas Capitol, people walk by a vacant building every day, not giving it a second glance. Once a diverse place of celebration and inclusion, The Manhattan Club is now a room that collects dust.

The history of Austin’s first gay-friendly public space is rooted deep within the Manhattan Deli, a café owned by a Jewish couple in 1957 until its shutdown in 1969. The gay bar was located in a small backroom of the restaurant.

As part of their graduate seminar on local and community history, Texas State graduate students Amber Hullum and Railey Tassin shined a new light on the restaurant that became a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community in the 1950s.

"It's impossible to put into words how meaningful it is to see your history represented," Tassin said.

"Especially marginalized groups, where you only hear negative things about you throughout history."

Ruby Oram, an assistant professor in the Department of History, gave her students the task to choose a topic that fell under what the Texas Historical Commission (THC) classifies as an under-told story, a story that has been underrepresented in history.

"The Texas Historical Commission has a program that fully funds historical markers for sites that are associated with marginalized history," Oram said.

Flyers posted on the abandoned Manhattan Club, May 1, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

PHOTO BY BRIANNA CHAVEZ

Hullum and Tassin began their research online in February 2021. They were on the lookout for LGBTQ+ establishments in Texas which was a challenge since those they found originated in the 1970s and 1980s and did not meet the 50-year rule, a guideline set by the THC that states something must be 50 years old or older to be given a historic designation.

In the end, it all came together. By looking through the Austin History Center archives and reaching out to Michael Barnes, a journalist for the Austin American Statesman who identifies with the queer community, they came across The Manhattan Club.

“It was a little difficult to find sources and put our narrative together,” Tassin said. “But I thought it was fun cause we’re historians. We love to go digging for information.”

In addition to going through archives and online articles, Hullum and Tassin were fortunate enough to get to speak with someone who lived to tell his own tales of The Manhattan Club, Randy Wicker. A wellknown gay activist and author, Wicker was at the forefront of gay liberation movements in Austin and New York City where he witnessed the Stonewall riots.

Wicker was a student at the University of Texas at Austin in the mid-1950s and frequented The Manhattan Club. Hullum and Tassin learned from Wicker what the club looked like and what it was like living in Texas at the time.

"He was able to give us a bit of context on what it was like to walk in the restaurant as well as what gay life was like in the 1950s," Hullum said.

The two were thrilled to get to speak to someone who was able to give visuals to their research, especially since many older generations are no longer around to give them insight.

Tassin said there needs to be an urgency in talking to older generations who have lived through history; in having important conversations with them before it's too late.

"There needs to be a concerted effort as soon as possible," Tassin said.

"Having oral interviews with anyone who's willing to speak on these older spaces is important so we can learn more."

Hullum said there is secrecy behind LBGTQ+ spaces like The Manhattan Club that they might never know about because those who lived through it are not around anymore.

“The only way to know about these places is by word of mouth and talking to the elderly if they even survived the AIDS epidemic,” Hullum said. "Those places might die with them and we won’t know unless we’re able to get down and do the historical dirty work."

Oram wants her students to get involved with and enjoy the projects they work on; to dive deep into the histories of places like The Manhattan Club. She believes it’s important to not just teach history but to make and become part of history as well.

Oram, who helped guide her graduate students on these projects, agrees with her students that is it important for the younger generations to get involved and learn about the history that is relevant, current and important.

"History should be the history of all of us. I think most students don't know that history can be about social history too," Oram said. "We can't relate to a military battle but we all can relate to social movements of men, women, queer communities, immigrants and more. We live through these social movements and people can see themselves in history."

Hullum and Tassin saw how important it was to put history into practice and strived to get a historical marker made for The Manhattan Club. They were approved for a marker this year and are hoping to see it in front of the building this fall.

This will be the first time the state of Texas has granted a historical designation to something associated with queer history, and Oram hopes this motivates people to ensure it's not the last.

Tassin believes that the story of The Manhattan Club brings positivity to a history that was cloaked in secrecy and negativity, and that it's essential for LGBTQ+ youth to recognize these places.

"We're sharing a story of a positive place where a community was fostered, people met and was a safe haven," Tassin said. "It's a positive little beacon and it means a lot to see our history represented."

UPCOMING EVENT

Wimberley Glassworks to celebrate 30 years at Pearl of a Party

By Elijah Cardenas Life and Arts Contributor

When walking into Wimberley Glassworks, guests are greeted by a burst of beautiful glass ornaments, vases and lighting illuminated by bright sunlight on elegant white pedestals. From vibrant red and radiant greens to cool blues and titillating lavender, it’s a visual feast.

At the entrance of the studio is a series of photographs, frames and newspaper clippings that share the timeline of Wimberley Glassworks. In one of the frames is Tim de Jong's first glasswork piece, a small circular bowl-shaped glass; his 1979 college ID and a quote: "Every dream starts somewhere!"

Jong, owner and head gaffer of Wimberley Glassworks, is celebrating 30 years in business this month by putting on an anniversary event, called Pearl of a Party, on Saturday to give his thanks to the San Marcos community.

"When I first opened up I was told, 'if you're going to depend on the people in this community, you will never survive,'" Jong said. "I will tell you, in all honesty, if it was not for the people in this community I'd never be here, so it's my thank you to the community because if it wasn't for the people in this area, I would never be here."

Jong is embracing a Caribbean theme for Pearl of a Party since 30 yearanniversaries are represented with pearls. The event will be held on the patio of the glass garden at Wimberly Glassworks and will include live music, a food truck, tropical cocktails, live glassblowing demonstrations, a treasure hunt and the launch of a new line inspired by nature called the Midnight Forest series.

The studio, formerly located at 111 West Spoke Hill in Wimberly, Texas, was first created in 1992, fueled by a dream and a furnace built by Jong from a 55-gallon drum and formed around a beachball. Jong was determined to make a name for his business. Despite the average glasswork studio only lasting five years, Wimberley Glassworks has found success as a commercial glasswork studio and has been able to relocate and expand to a new and larger location built for glassblowing at 6469 Ranch Road 12.

With local support and the help and contributions of community artists, such as Kristin Miller, who specializes in glass jewelry; Wes Sweetser, who has worked with Jong for 18 years as a glasswork artist and Jaclyn Ritter, one of the experienced glass blowers on the team, Wimberley Glassworks has cemented itself as a part of the San Marcos art scene. Jong and his glassblowing team find artistic inspiration in nature and the beauty of Central Texas.

"It's such an incredibly beautiful place to live," Jong said. "The San Marcos River is probably the main reason why I moved down here. It's one of the cleanest rivers in the lower 48 states."

Wimberley Glassworks Marketing and Business Development Director Vanessa de Jong said the studio's emphasis on community and local endorsement is the key to it becoming a staple in San Marcos.

"Tim attributes his success to the support of people around him," Vanessa de Jong said. "The studio has had regulars who have been there from the beginning.

Some of those people have brought their children and then years later brought their children. We've seen generations come through those doors."

Glass spherical ornaments at Wimberley Glassworks.

PHOTO BY ELIJAH CARDENAS

To commemorate the pearl anniversary and to create a lavish and multicultural atmosphere, Wimberley Glassworks contacted a reggae roots local musician and invited Kirk's Jerk, a Jamaican jerk food truck that is close to the Central Texas community to barbecue on-site.

To further foster the experience, live local music will be performed at the event, starting with a steel drum performance followed by Roland and the Roots Riddim.

Lead singer of Roland and the Roots Riddim, Roland “Mista Muzic” Kemokai, uses his music to share messages about the power of art, nature and building connections with others. He admires Wimberley Glassworks for going above and beyond to create a multicultural arts experience.

"This is our first time playing for Wimberley Glassworks. We’re creating that relationship," Kemokai said. "We get that energy that they are all about the community... As an artist, [that's worth] a lot and is meaningful to musicians. It's all part of connecting."

Pearl of a Party will take place this Saturday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the outdoor patio in the glass garden. Admission is free but the deadline to RSVP is the day of the event. Visitors are encouraged to bring a chair and partake in Wimberley Glassworks' joy and luxury-filled evening. Tim de Jong said the event is both to celebrate and show his appreciation to the San Marcos and Wimberley communities.

"I feel like the luckiest person on the planet that after 30 years, I still do what I really love to do because there are so many people that never get the chance to do that," Jong said. "But it's only because I took the chance."

For more information and to RSVP for Pearl of a Party, visit wgw.com/pages/ pearlofaparty.For more information and to RSVP for the Pearl of a Party event, visit wgw.com/pages/pearlofaparty.

8 |Tuesday, June 7, 2022

The University Star

LIFE & ARTS

Marisa Nunez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

FASHION

'Cats Walk: William Potter speaks school, balance

By Monica Vargas Life and Arts Contributor

'Cats Walk is a weekly segment that will highlight Texas State's most fashionforward students. Each week, Web Editor Monica Nicole Vargas will talk to a different Bobcat fashionista about style, self-love and Texas State.

For this segment, Monica interviewed microbiology senior William Potter who will be graduating summa cum laude in August. He has attended Texas State and lived on campus for four years.

Potter is expressing himself this summer in a classic band tee with olive-green cargo pants. He wears black and white sneakers and tops off the outfit with his summer shades.

attending Texas State since you have gotten the opportunity to experience four years here on campus?

William Potter: Balance. What my parents told me as I was so focused on my studies. To make sure I had an outlet for fun and experience college life. Always look for opportunities, keep growing, and don't get too bogged down. I made sure to hang out with friends, play my acoustic guitar, and love to go running.

William Potter's Instagram: @w.potter_ To keep up with students featured in 'Cats Walk, visit The University Star's Instagram @universitystar.

Vargas: William, tell me some things you love and appreciate about yourself.

William Potter: I love my ambition, my kindness and my sense of humor.

Vargas: So what made you choose such a specific major here at Texas State?

William Potter: I originally wanted to do nursing. In my sophomore year, I found this path and realized how much I enjoyed the studies of immunology, which also goes with pathology studies. Two professors inspired me, Dr. Waytek and Dr. Kakirde. They really helped me and made me feel comfortable talking to them about my future in this field. Giving me direction in choosing my major. They both were very real and practical with me based on real-life experiences and their expert knowledge in the microbiology field. Dr. Waytek gave me her honest input, I could talk to her about anything, and she was super encouraging to me as a student.

Vargas: How did you enjoy your immunology program here at Texas State?

William Potter: Overall the program has been good. I would like to have done a little more hands-on research, but I could have if I inquired a little more on that. In conclusion to this program I enjoyed it, lots of hard work that pays off by helping lives.

Vargas: Why did you choose to attend Texas State?

William Potter: I am originally from Katy, Texas, and I wanted something close to home, so I chose Texas State University.

Vargas: Where do you see yourself after you graduate, with no limits in mind?

William Potter: To be real honest, the professors I mentioned inspired me to want to be a professor in this field. To be able to do lots of research and work in the field I am passionate about in immunology and be able to share my knowledge with others, inspire students like I was grateful to experience, and create special connections with helping people's lives. Make a difference. Also, I currently started to play the acoustic guitar and would love to join a band.

Vargas: What is some advice you would give current and future students

William Potter smiling after his Summer I class.

PHOTO BY MONICA VARGAS

San Marcos local Addison Rodriquez (left) and Texas State electrical engineering and physics senior Caleb Solis draw while the band performs, Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Hays City Store.

PHOTO BY STEVEN PHIPPS

San Marcos residents take a swim in the San Marcos river, Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Sewell Park.

Singer-songwriter Amber Lucille performs with her band, Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Hays City Store.

PHOTO BY STEVEN PHIPPS

Incoming Texas State freshmen Erik Jones (left) and Zack Martin play basketball, Friday, June 3, 2022, at Sewell Park.

PHOTO BY STEVEN PHIPPS

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

The University Star

LIFE & ARTS

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 | 9 Marisa Nunez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

LOCAL BOUTIQUE

Woman-owned dress shop opens in Tanger Outlets

By Haley Velasco Life and Arts Contributor When Natasha Valles set out to find her eldest daughter's quinceanera dress in 2013, she found that San Marcos and Hays County offered little in the business of boutiques for the occasion. With the opening of her own dress shop in the Tanger Outlets, Valles hopes to connect with and serve her community.

The name of the shop comes from Natasha Valles’ daughters' names, Geneva, Jadora and Isabella.

GiJaBell's is a combination of their given nicknames Gigi, Jaja and Bella.

After going back to school at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for event management, Valles started planning her new business in 2019. A year later, she opened the first GiJaBell's location in July 2020 in Kyle, Texas. After outgrowing that location, the business recently moved and officially opened in the Tanger Outlets on May 26.

Valles said the evolvement of GiJaBell’s could not have happened without the help of her family.

“This is an all-hands-on-deck type of family,” Valles said. “My daughters definitely all have hands in pitching in by helping me decorate, paint and clean. This idea and concept was in my heart, but in the long run, it’s a legacy that I'm leaving for them to walk into and take it to a level that I never could.”

Before starting GiJaBell’s, Valles worked in the medical field for 17 and a half years with a focus on administrative work. Valles' job allowed her to engage with patients which in turn helped her find a passion for working in a social atmosphere. Although she loved providing customer service in the medical field, Valles knew that it was time to use her talents elsewhere.

Valles said she always had creative energy and with that, she wanted to have her own creative outlet that would not leave her stressed.

"I loved the medical field and what I did there, but this is a place where I can help people feel beautiful and it’s a happy experience when clients walk through the door because they always leave with a smile on their faces, and it doesn’t get any better than that," Valles said.

Although Natasha Valles was passionate about her plan to open a business, she struggled with getting clients to her Kyle location for the first couple of months due to COVID-19. In July 2020, there were few people looking for event dresses.

Although she struggled to get foot traffic, she remained consistent and believed in her faith.

“We had to pause it for a couple of months, but I'm a believer in God,” Valles said. “I heard God tell me in his spirit that this was the time, and that I shouldn’t stop because a pandemic is here, and I should continue what I'm doing. Overall, I thought it was a blessing in disguise because that allowed me the time to figure out the quirks and kinks with the system.”

After a couple of months in business in Kyle, Natasha Valles assisted her first client, Ofelia Cortez, by helping her find a wedding gown at GiJaBell’s. Cortez had gone dress shopping elsewhere but said GiJaBell's customer service and attentiveness in helping her find a dress is what set it apart from other stores.

"Natasha was just really down to earth, and I loved the way she handles her customers by being really nice," Cortez said. "If I was getting married again, I would be on the list to go to GiJaBell’s again!”

Natasha Valles' knack for helping others and organization comes from the times she helped plan and prepare her family members' quinceaneras. She also witnessed her mom create dresses for the events' Damas. On top of that, Natasha and Isaac planned their own wedding and she was able to customize her wedding gown.

Upon the shop's initial opening, Valles was grateful for the help she received from her husband, Isaac Valles, a senior software developer for Balfour and chief technology officer for GiJaBell’s who created the website navigations for its website.

In his job at Balfour, he is consistently amazed by buyers' eyes for detail and the

(Left to right) Isabella Valles, Natasha Valles, Geneva Garner and Jadora Valles PHOTO BY NATASHA VALLES

quality time that they devote to selecting pieces for the store. Likewise, Isaac Valles cannot help but admire his wife's eye for creativity.

“That’s a very specialized field because not just anyone can do it, as it can make or break the company if the wrong product is chosen. I think she has a very unique eye for that, and it inspires me because she’s just very creative and selective with what she chooses," Issac Valles said.

Dresses sold at GiJaBell’s are handpicked by Natasha Valles and include designers such as Roz La Kelin, Calla Blanche, Allure Couture, Watters Designs and more.

Clients also have the opportunity to get alterations and sewing done by a seamstress at GiJaBell’s.

GiJaBell’s originally only sold bridal and evening gowns but now offers quinceanera and Sweet 16 gowns. GiJaBell’s has in-store and online options for clients to browse and order dresses and accessories.

The business continues to expand with its plan to create a GiJaBell’s dress line that will include 10 to 20 quinceanera gowns. Natasha Valles also plans to hire parttime employees and fashion and design interns later in the summer.

“If anyone at Texas State is studying or going to school for fashion, we would love to talk to those people,” Natasha said. “We would like to bring them in as interns and get them a job that they’re going to be working in eventually, so that way they could get hands-on experience.”

All in all, Natasha Valles encourages anyone that wants to open a business to prioritize communication and stick to being committed to the business. For those wanting to pursue a career in the fashion industry, she advises them to listen to anyone with experience as most are willing to lend a helping hand with expertise.

“When you are developing a new relationship in the industry, it’s important to be honest, open and willing to listen as a lot of wisdom comes from those that have already been in the industry and have already had experience,” Natasha said. “Also, most businesses that are successful are those that remain consistent, even through trying and difficult times. Because if they give up so quickly and easily, they’ll never know their potential that they’ll have to go to if they don’t have some perseverance.”

GiJaBell’s is open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is located at 4015 IH 35 S STE 1040, next to Famous Footwear in the Tanger Outlets. For more information on GiJaBell’s, visit its website https://www.gijabells.com/.

10 |Tuesday, June 7, 2022 Carson Weaver Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

BASEBALL VS. STANFORD

The University Star

SPORTS

Texas State Baseball sophomore pitcher Levi Wells (25) in an embrace after defeating Stanford in game four of the NCAA Stanford Regional, Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond in Palo Alto, Calif. The Bobcats won 5-2, sending Texas State Baseball to an NCAA Regional final for the first time in its program history.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State sophomore pitcher Levi Wells (25) pitches to a Cardinal batter during game four of the NCAA Stanford Regional against Stanford, Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond in Palo Alto, Calif. The Bobcats won 5-2, sending Texas State Baseball to an NCAA Regional final for the first time in its program history.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State junior infielder Jose Gonzalez (23) and sophomore pitcher Levi Wells (25) embrace one another after defeating Stanford in game four of the NCAA Stanford Regional, Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond in Palo Alto, Calif. The Bobcats won 5-2, sending Texas State Baseball to an NCAA Regional final for the first time in its program history.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State Baseball junior pitcher Austin Smith (15) embraces the moment prior to facing Stanford in game four of the NCAA Stanford Regional, Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond in Palo Alto, Calif. The Bobcats won 5-2, sending Texas State Baseball to an NCAA Regional final for the first time in its program history.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State Baseball freshman Nick Moore (31) warms up prior to facing Stanford in game four of the NCAA Stanford Regional, Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond in Palo Alto, Calif. The Bobcats won 5-2, sending Texas State Baseball to an NCAA Regional final for the first time in its program history.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State Baseball celebrates after defeating Stanford in game four of the NCAA Stanford Regional, Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond in Palo Alto, Calif. The Bobcats won 5-2, sending Texas State Baseball to an NCAA Regional final for the first time in its program history.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

The University Star

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 | 11

SPORTS

Carson Weaver Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

SOFTBALL

'Bear down and go': A Bobcat softball season recap

By Xavier Zamarron Sports Contributor At the outset of the season, Texas State softball head coach Ricci Woodard was faced with a challenge. After seeing six seniors move on from the program following the 2021 season, Woodard would need to find new leadership in her dugout.

Building chemistry, developing relationships and understanding how to play with each other takes time, and with such a young roster, Woodard knew she had to find some way to help the team gel.

"I wanted to put together a team that was gonna to compete day in and day out," Woodard said. "I knew coming in that was gonna be a little bit tougher for the group because we had so many new players come in who needed to play for us despite not having much experience at this level."

That lack of experience led to an up and down start of the Bobcat's season. At one point in April, Texas State held a 20-17 overall record and was only 6-8 in conference play, which was certainly not what the team was hoping for. Luckily, a couple of 'Cats stepped up to the plate and took charge of the team, helping lead them to a 17-game win streak, a 38-19 overall record and an appearance in the Sun Belt Conference championship game.

"If you want to go by leadership and getting things done, [Caitlyn and Jessica] were the main two that I felt put us in a really good spot in May," Woodard said. "Their game just continued to elevate throughout the season which ultimately helped elevate the whole team."

The dynamic duo of senior catcher Caitlyn Rogers and sophomore pitcher Jessica Mullins helped wrangle their team together and propelled them to success both on and off the field. Rogers was fantastic at the plate, leading the team in on-base percentage and tying for the team lead in home runs with seven. Mullins on the other hand was putting batters to bed all season long, earning a 27-13 record including 22 complete games and 253 total strikeouts.

What might have been more important though, was the spark they brought to the team.

"We hype each other up and motivate each other more than we already are," Rogers said. "We’re like the two loudest people on the team, so we already have enough of that in the tank but when we’re together it’s like an overload. We definitely have plenty of energy."

Woodard admits that even though she may have to temper her two stars every so often, she still loves that passion and drive and believes they have been crucial to the team's success.

"They’d probably tell you I tell them to tone it down a little every once in a while," Woodard said. "But

every team needs that energy and that fire, it’s kind of what drives Mullins to be who she is too. That little bit of fire and little bit of cockiness that comes with it.

So when you find players with that type of energy and that type of hype then you kind of just got to ride it."

That self-starter mentality is one of Mullins' key factors in her early success. As a sophomore, Mullins has already become one of Texas State's most decorated players. This year, she was named the Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the year and earned a spot in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I All-Central first team. All that came after an impressive freshman year that landed her on the AllSun Belt Conference first team and NCFA Division I All-Central second team. Mullins said that her success during her two years at Texas State all comes from the inside.

"I came to Texas State wanting to be successful," Mullins said. "I'm a self-driven, self-motivated person and I wanted to prove people wrong. Me and coach Woodard actually just figured out that that was my 'it' factor, that I just wanted to prove people wrong. It just never goes away. I just want to keep showing people that I’m valuable here and I always wanna be here and there’s nothing that’s really gonna change that."

With the team struggling to gain any traction, Woodard remembers the series against the University of Louisiana Monroe as a turning point for her squad.

After ULM took the first two games of the series, things clicked for the softball team in the series finale victory and set them on a trajectory for the rest of the season.

"To me, that’s probably the highlight cause you could just see the turnaround of the approach we were taking, and as a coach that’s one of the biggest things we look for," Woodard said. "So I stopped messing with the lineup so much cause things were going in the direction we were needing to go."

Rogers said there was a mentality shift at that point in the season that allowed the team to really lock-in.

She said the team understood what was at stake with each and every game and things just took off.

"We just kind of got on a roll and everyone was clicking, and at that point of our season there was no fear," Rogers said. "It was just like this is what we have to do if we want to be good and we want to have a chance, so I think everyone knew what was on the line and it was just gritty from there."

Winning with that much consistency takes all hands on deck. Every member of the team must contribute in some way, even the youngest ones. That's exactly what freshman outfielder Ciara Trahan did this season, earning the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year award for her efforts.

Rogers and Mullins agree that Trahan was the team's

most improved player this year.

"Ciara Trahan. She came out her freshman year and she was just on fire," Mullins said. "She did have some struggles but I think she showed the most growth because she learned to overcome those and as a freshman that’s very hard to do. I’m just really proud of the player and person she’s become."

The growth this team experienced throughout the season and the run they went on all make this a successful season in most eyes. Although the team fell one win short of a championship, it is something Woodard is looking to rectify next season. Nonetheless, she's appreciative of her team's growth.

“We got to try to understand that every game matters and you can’t wait until the end to turn it on," Woodard said. "You can kinda see they changed their approach, they decided to get after it and figured out how to bear down and go win ball games later in the season. And so the lesson that I’ve got to figure out is how to get them to do that earlier, how to get them to battle in September, October, November the way they did in April and May.”

Texas State senior catcher Caitlyn Rogers (13) readies up to make a run for third base during the home opener against the University of Oregon, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at Bobcat Softball Stadium. The Bobcats lost 3-7.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

BOXING

'It's how you train': Local boxing gym aims to better athletes

By Carson Weaver Sports Editor When Aftermath Boxing owner Simon Sanchez III contracted COVID-19 in 2020, his boxing gym was nearly empty for four months. Sanchez, 47, uses his job at a Walmart distribution center in New Braunfels to financially support his gym, but during the time he was quarantined, he couldn't go to work for three months.

"There was a time when I was laying in bed and I was like, 'this is it, I'm going,'", Sanchez said. "But in the back of my mind, I'm thinking 'who's gonna run the gym?'"

There was doubt in Sanchez's mind about the ability to keep the gym open during these trials. His love for boxing and passion for coaching helped him push through trying times. He reflects the same message he tries to show his young boxers: perseverance and positivity.

Sanchez's coaching career shortly followed his professional boxing career. As a pro boxer, Sanchez competed in the Golden Gloves finals three times and was selected for the Olympic trials in 1997. After retiring from boxing in 2002, his coaching career began in 2006 when he tried to revitalize his boxing career at Tough Enough boxing gym in San Marcos.

His intentions of sparring with pros and getting ready for competitions shifted when he saw a group of kids in the gym that needed coaching attention. Sanchez then found success in a new role as a coach, leading that group of kids to the 2007 Junior Olympics, where they took home a team trophy for most wins.

"You get close to them when they win," Sanchez said. "You see all the hard work they go through."

As a coach and a father, one of the most rewarding experiences for Sanchez was watching his son, Simon Sanchez IV, compete in the ring. When Simon was 12 years old, Sanchez remembers the joy of being in the coaching corner for his son's boxing match. This specific match was an event that preceded family troubles for both of them. Sanchez recalls things in that aspect coming to a head before the start of the final round. "'I miss grandpa,' he kept saying," Sanchez said. "'I'm going to go win this fight for you,' he said. And he won."

Sanchez passed his passion for the sport down to his son, and it was that passion that remained intact when Simon helped fulfill his dad's dream of owning a gym.

Together they built a makeshift gym in the front yard of a friend's house in 2016.

With punching bags hanging off of trees and a makeshift ring in the middle of the yard, the setup got the job done. When bad weather forced Sanchez to look for an indoor location, he moved into Aftermath Boxing's current location, 20027 San Marcos Highway #7, in September 2019.

Pandemic-related struggles threatened the gym shortly after opening. Keeping with USA Boxing health regulations, the gym was reduced to 50% capacity, which meant there was to be less cash flow to support the gym. On top of that, Sanchez's own fight with COVID-19 meant that for parts of 2020, the gym was shut down completely.

"It was depressing," Sanchez said. "Nobody could be around a person that year.

And then we started rolling again... we had a couple of kids start competing again."

Along with Sanchez, Marco Mendoza coaches boxers at the gym. Mendoza met Sanchez in 2016 when Mendoza brought his kids to Sanchez's makeshift gym.

From there, Sanchez asked Mendoza if he wanted to assist in coaching duties around the gym.

Although he has no professional background in the sport, Mendoza still invests his time in trying to better the boxers in the gym.

"When they do good, we're doing good, so that's pretty much our reward," Mendoza said. "It's a great environment. We don't discriminate anybody, we welcome everybody."

Michael Coronado has been boxing at Aftermath Boxing for six months. Being a professional boxer for 15 years, Coronado, 30, said that Sanchez's coaching styles and techniques stack up well compared to other gyms he's been a part of.

"He has a lot of different, better tactics than some of the other coaches I've been through," Coronado said. "The other coaches I've had before... they couldn't get me out of a situation that I was in because they've never been inside the ring."

The lessons that can be learned through boxing play a big part in Sanchez's decision to make his gym a non-profit. Sanchez, as a professional boxer, boxed in gyms where monthly fees and equipment were too expensive for some boxers to pay. Although Aftermath Boxing has monthly gym fees, Sanchez keeps them cheap so he can keep his boxers coming.

"I want to make it affordable for everybody," Sanchez said. "I want everybody to keep coming and keep trying."

A goal of Aftermath Boxing as a nonprofit is not only to teach boxers how to defend themselves but to advocate for healthier ways to channel frustration while also getting in shape. To Sanchez, the lessons that can be learned through boxing translate into everyday life.

"Just keep trying to get better. Stay confident, believe in yourself," Sanchez said.

"Come learn to protect yourself a little bit, and just have fun."

Aftermath Boxing is located at 20027 San Marcos Highway #7 and is open MondayFriday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The gym is welcome to boxers ages seven and up. For more information on Aftermath Boxing, visit its Facebook @aftermathboxingsmtx.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO