TUESDAY
August 29, 2023
VOLUME 113 ISSUE 4 www.UniversityStar.com
EDUCATION
Record freshman class causes struggles for faculty, changes for student body By Ryan Claycamp News Reporter According to Texas State President Kelly Damphousse, the freshman enrollment for Fall 2023 is about 7,900 students, making 2023 the third year in a row to see a record breaking freshman class. The enrollment of 7,900 freshman students sees an increase of around 4.5% over the previous record of 7,573 students set in 2022. The trend of record enrollment has brought new challenges to Texas State as faculty rush to meet demand for freshman courses, and some upperclassmen worry about the change in student body changing the university’s culture. “We’re up 339 from last year and that’s 4.5% [from last year],” Damphousse said. “As of [Aug. 16] we have 7,910 freshmen.” The three-year trend of record breaking freshman enrollment comes at a time when both total and freshmen enrollment is declining. According to the Texas Comptroller, there were 66,000 fewer college students in Texas in Fall 2022 than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
PHOTO BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN
especially general education courses, “The [first-year] classes have been has skyrocketed. With occupancy limits getting bigger and bigger, which is in classrooms, some departments, like exciting because across the United the English department, have had States, that’s not always the case,” Mary to drastically increase the number of Brennan, dean of the Liberal Arts sections offered. college, said. As more freshmen are admitted, SEE EDUCATION PAGE 3 the demand for first-year courses,
Students attend a political science class in the LBJ Teaching Theater, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in San Marcos.
CLUBS
TXST Equestrian Team gallops to a new season, competition By Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor At Sunny Fox Farms, members of the Texas State Equestrian Team are back and ready to giddy up for
upcoming competitions. Starting in around 2011, the Texas State Equestrian Team began on an inconsistent route due to a lack of funding. That changed in 2014 when Katherine Deichmann, Texas State Equestrian coach, took over and
PHOTO BY HALEY VELASCO
Lauren Rosenberger, interior design junior, and her horse jump over the wall, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at Sunny Fox Farms in San Marcos.
managed the team for the better. Deichmann said the team consisted of eight riders in 2018 but they didn’t receive the proper coaching to make them competitive. “We kind of revamped the style of the team on making it just a little bit more structured and really having students commit to the riding and the team aspect of it,” Deichmann said. For the first time in its 10 year history, the team held tryouts this Saturday with about 40 potential new members and 20 returners. This evolution would not be without a highly reputable coach that has allowed riders to grow out of their comfort zones and bring home big wins. Deichmann has a history with equestrianism since she was a week old and started competing at the age of five. Her intent to start coaching began when she was 15. She taught lessons and later went on to compete for her alma mater, Kansas State University. After graduating from college in 2010, she got an offer to coach for the Texas State Equestrian Team just four years later.
SEE CLUBS PAGE 5
HEALTH
Behind the on-campus pharmacy closing By Nichaela Shaheen Managing Editor Students who once filled and picked up prescriptions using the Student Health Center (SHC) now find themselves at Walgreens’ pharmacy as the on-campus service is extinguished. “What [the SHC] has seen over the past several years is just a decline in volume of students using the on-campus pharmacy to fill their prescriptions,” Vice President for Student Success Cynthia Hernandez said. The announcement of the on-campus pharmacy closing after 45 years of operation came May 26 as university officials saw no way to continue given financial burdens. Competition, low patient volume for prescriptions and insurance reimbursements dropping over the years contributed to the decision, according to the Director of the SHC Dr. Emilio Carranco. “The pharmacy business has changed dramatically over the years. When I first arrived.. the medicines were primarily generic and most of them were inexpensive. Fast forward 30 years later, and most of the medicines that students are asking for now are name brand drugs,” Carranco said. “We accept insurance but PHOTO BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN over the years insurance has been decreasing its reimbursement A Walgreens pharmacist looks for a patient's prescription for pharmaceuticals.”
SEE HEALTH PAGE 3
Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in San Marcos.
PHOTO BY MANDALYN LEWALLEN
Texas State junior defender Lucy Hart (3) rushes the ball down the sideline against North Texas, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at the Bobcat Soccer Complex in San Marcos.
SOCCER
Texas State seeks to dominate season By Brendan Fielding Sports Reporter Coming off a successful 2022 season, Texas State soccer has begun its 2023 campaign with an overall record of 2-1. As the team moves further into the 2023 season, they aim to dominate opponents through a strong work ethic and support system. With the 2023 season already underway, second-year head coach Steve Holeman hoisted high opinions of his team, noting their ability in areas such as team chemistry. However, the team’s strongest asset is its work ethic according to Holeman. “It just goes back to work ethic,” Holeman said. “I think when we talk about our identity and what we want to be known as, we want to be known as the hardest working team in the Sun Belt and we want teams to not look forward to playing us.”
SEE SOCCER PAGE 8
The University Star
2 | Tuesday, August 29, 2023
NEWS
Blake Leschber News Editor starnews@txstate.edu
ENVIRONMENT
San Marcos tightens drought restrictions By Blake Leschber News Editor San Marcos is entering Stage 4 drought restrictions on Aug. 27 in response to low levels of the Edwards Aquifer and Canyon Lake. Jan De La Cruz, conservation coordinator for SMTX Utilities, said when Edwards Aquifer’s water level falls below 630 feet, it triggers Stage 4 restrictions. “Since we get most of our water from Canyon Lake, we keep an eye on Canyon Lake levels which, like the aquifer, have been dropping steadily. It’s below 70% full,” De La Cruz said.
In Stage 4, residents of San Marcos can only use sprinkler hoses and drip irrigation once a week depending on address. Hand watering use is allowed everyday but only before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. “The [big] change is with soaker hoses and drip irrigation. In [Stage 3], those are still allowed any day. In Stage 4, those are only going to be allowed one day per week on your designated day and times,” De La Cruz said. San Marcos has been under drought restrictions since March 2022. Water levels especially in the San Marcos River have been impacted, as the river is flowing around 70 cubic feet per second, when normally the historical
average is 152. De La Cruz said San Marcos received below normal rainfall last year, which started this year at low levels at Edwards Aquifer and Canyon Lake. The last rain we got did help the aquifer levels go up about a foot, but we're about 30 feet below where we should be this time of year... we've got a ways to go to get out of the drought," JAN DE LA CRUZ, CONSERVATION COORDINATOR FOR SMTX UTILITIES
“We got a little bit of rain in the spring, but not nearly enough. We’ve been below normal rainfall for a couple of years now and it just builds and it gets worse and worse,” De La Cruz said. While San Marcos is in Stage 4, there is a chance the city can move to Stage 5, which has no set restrictions but gives the city the authority to restrict in any means necessary. According to De La Cruz, it is hard to predict when the restrictions will move up or down, but there is a heavy hurricane season predicted. However, one day of rainfall will not be able to fix the problem alone. “In order to get us out of drought, we would need something pretty drastic,” De La Cruz said. “The last rain we got did help the aquifer levels go up about a foot, but we’re about 30 feet PHOTO BY BLAKE LESCHBER below where we should be this time of River-goers play a game of volleyball standing up due to the low river levels, Saturday, year… we’ve got a ways to go to get out Aug. 26, 2023, at the San Marcos River in San Marcos. of the drought.”
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San Marcos moved to Stage 2 restrictions.
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San Marcos moved to Stage 3 restrictions.
For San Marcos to move out of a stage of drought restrictions, the levels of the river need to be consistent on a ten day basis. De La Cruz said a quick rainfall might bring up day-to-day levels but won’t bring the average up enough. De La Cruz recommends that people follow the restrictions to ensure that the drought does not worsen. “We’ve got a lot of folks that are [following the drought restrictions] but we’ve got some that are not and I think if everybody follows the drought restrictions, we can achieve what we want, which is to protect our long term water resources and make sure that there’s plenty of water to go on for years and years,” De La Cruz said.
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San Marcos moved to Stage 4 restrictions.
INFOGRAPHIC BY BLAKE LESCHBER AND SARAH MANNING
CITY COUNCIL
San Marcos ends decades old juvenile curfew By Lesdy Hernandez News Contributor On Aug. 15, San Marcos City Council officially voted on the repeal of the city’s juvenile curfew ordinance. The ordinance prohibited young people between the ages of 10 to 17 to be out in public areas from 9 a.m to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays, 11 p.m to 6 a.m Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m on weekends, and could be fined $50 if not followed. The city adopted the curfew in 1994 with a renewal vote taking place every three years. The decision to repeal the ordinance came after the official signing into law of HB 1819, which bans the implementation of juvenile curfews in Texas cities, with exceptions to emergency situations. Brandon Winkenwerder, assistant chief of operations for San Marcos, said the curfew served as a tool to talk to the citizens and combat crime across the city. “Like everything, juvenile curfews are not the one solution, but it’s one tool that you can use to try to combat it,” Winkenwerder said. According to Winkenwerder, in the last five years,
a decreasing trend of citations handed out was seen with 2018 having a total of 17 citations, and 2022 only having two citations. “The officers use it as a way to get a conversation going with folks,” Winkenwerder said. “Nine times out of ten, they are not looking to cite somebody, they’re just looking to inform them and get voluntary compliance.” the ordinance had a negative effect on the young people of the city.
Scan the QR code to read the rest of the story.
INFOGRAPHIC BY HARRISON MOORE
Publication Info
Editorial Staff
Trinity Building 203 Pleasant St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245 - 3487 History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and once a month in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 3,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.
Editor-in-Chief:
Managing Editor:
Design Editor:
Carson Weaver stareditor@txstate.edu
Nichaela Shaheen starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu
Sarah Manning stardesign@txstate.edu
News Editor:
Life & Arts Editor:
Opinions Editor:
Blake Leschber starnews@txstate.edu
Haley Velasco starlifeandarts@txstate.edu
Rhian Davis staropinion@txstate.edu
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Director:
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Laura Krantz laurakrantz@txstate.edu
David Cuevas starsports@txstate.edu
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Michele Dupont starcreative@txstate.edu
Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, August 29, 2023. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor-in-chief.
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Any errors that are in the pages of The University Star and brought to our attention will be corrected as soon as possible.
Visit The Star at universitystar.com
The University Star
Tuesday, August 29, 2023 | 3
NEWS
Blake Leschber News Editor starnews@txstate.edu
FROM FRONT EDUCATION “We have 258 sections of [English] 1310 and 1320 combined. This is the largest number we have ever had. It represents a 17% increase from last semester,” Victoria Smith, chair of the English department, said in an email. The increase in sections offered means hiring new faculty. Like with classrooms, there are a limited number of office spaces available, which can serve as a bottleneck. Brennan said that professors are sometimes doubling and tripling up office spaces to find room. “People are working in shifts in terms of the offices so that they do have some space to be on-campus to meet with students because you need to have office hours,” Brennan said. With so many people all the time, it's not the greatest environment for learning and that is what Texas State is striving for, so I feel like they're kind of shooting themselves in the foot," – HUNTER MCGRAW, TEXAS STATE BIOLOGY SENIOR
General education classes are not the only classes growing on-campus. As the number of STEM majors being admitted to Texas State grows, even some higher level courses are experiencing a large influx of growth. “Calculus III this year is our winner. It had… roughly a 60% increase in student enrollment when we were predicting a little more than [10%],” Susan Morey, chair of the math department, said. For upperclassmen, the boom in the population of younger students has been met with some concern, as they worry it may change the university and its culture. Hunter McGraw, a biology senior, said when he arrived at Texas State in 2019, it felt like he could actually settle into his dorm and his classes weren’t
INFOGRAPHIC BY MEAGAN WALTERS
overfilled with students. “With so many people all the time, it’s not the greatest environment for learning, and that is what Texas State is striving for, so I feel like they’re kind of shooting themselves in the foot,” McGraw said. Some students and faculty wonder if the trend of increasing freshman enrollment will continue, or if there's a ceiling where growth will slow or halt.
“I think [growth] will continue for a few years, especially as we see the graduation rates improving so happily,” Morey said. “I think eventually you’ll reach a steady state, but I don’t think we are there yet."
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The Texas State Board of Pharmacy tasks all closing pharmacies to send previous patient’s medical records to nearby facilities and give a 14-day closure notice. The SHC sent 5,723 emails to patients serviced within the past two years, of whom 3,599 are students enrolled this fall. The SHC sent patient record to nearby Walgreens locations. “When the pharmacy first sprung up, they were really the closest pharmacy for students to access,” Hernandez said. “But now with all these other pharmacies popping up in the community, we just saw increased competition and we saw our sales go down.” University officials felt they were no longer providing a service, rather wasting resources. The SHC will allocate the funds once used for the pharmacy for other areas within the SHC. Texas State President Kelly Damphousse said there could’ve been a potential increase
in tuition if the pharmacy would have remained operational. The cost has to be covered somewhere... You raise tuition or you raise fees. We thought we could eliminate that part of what we're offering so we can keep the cost down and provide more services in other places," – KELLY DAMPHOUSSE, TEXAS STATE PRESIDENT
“We can't keep providing a service that has diminishing interest. The cost doesn't just stay the same, they actually increase and the usage goes down,” Damphousse said. “The cost has to be covered somewhere… You raise tuition, or you raise fees. We thought we could eliminate that part of what we're offering so we can keep the cost down and
provide more services in other places.” Texas State’s pharmacy isn’t the only college facility closing its doors. The University of Texas closed its pharmacy a couple of years ago and the University of North Texas closed its pharmacy about a year ago – a trend Carranco predicts will be seen more of. “Being able to provide students with a variety of services is always the goal that we would like to pursue. However, we also have a responsibility to students to manage the funds that they provide in a reasonable manner and I think it would be unreasonable for us to continue losing the amount of money we were losing every year,” Carrranco said. “While we were all disappointed, the fact was that we couldn't find a way to make it work.” According to Hernandez, while COVID-19 had some effect on the usage, the decline has remained even up until the announcement was made.
The SHC will remain as a resource to help students navigate how to fill prescriptions. “We have staff in the health center that will help them identify and where they can get that [prescription] filled based on their needs, their timelines and even some of the delivery options that might be available to them,” Hernandez said. According to Carranco, former employees left with new jobs lined up. Two Walgreens are located within a two-mile radius of campus and Damphousse believes that suffices students needs. Per Walgreens' media policy, pharmacists were unable to comment on the influx of providing services to new patients. Walgreens' Pharmacy Information Address: 11700 Old Ranch Rd. 12 San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone number: (512) 393-3701 Pharmacy hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. Sat: Closed Sun: Closed Address: 2639 E Hopkins Street San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone number: (512) 396-1335 Pharmacy hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. Sat: 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Sun: 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.
The University Star
4 | Tuesday, August 29, 2023
OPINIONS
Rhian Davis Opinions 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.
RECREATION
Hobbies can fulfill your everyday life By Rhian Davis Opinions Editor A day in the life of a college student can get insanely busy and because of that, it’s easy to lose sight of one’s hobbies. Believe it or not, there can be such a thing as prioritizing school too much and it’s important to remember that small hobbies matter. A hobby is defined as “a pursuit outside of one’s regular occupation” that provides relaxation and a small escape from the real world. Having hobbies and actively partaking in them allows one to have a balanced lifestyle. Junior Hayden Mitchell, president of the Texas State climbing club, started rock climbing in February 2020 as a way to spend time with his older brother. Now, it is one of his favorite hobbies. “[My brother] got me to go with him and instantly I was hooked,” Mitchell said. “As soon as I got to Texas State and found out there was a climbing club, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh that's so exciting, I’ll get to meet a lot more climbers.’ [My] first meeting was so much fun.” Focusing on school is important. However, when it is the only thing you’re focusing on it can lead to high levels of stress, which takes a toll on the body. According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress can cause severe muscle tension, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and a higher chance of getting sick. In order to combat this, students should find time every day to take a break to do something they enjoy. “If all you do is go to class, go home, eat, sleep and repeat, you’re going to feel like your life is just the same thing
ILLUSTRATION BY AFAAF ALNAHAS AND RHIAN DAVIS
over and over like Groundhog Day,” Mitchell said. “Whenever you start to have things that you’re doing that you want to do, it’s gonna be so much more of an enjoyable time.” More often than not, this is easier said than done. It can be difficult to find a hobby that truly helps you put your racing mind at ease. The solution
is simple: try everything. With the fall semester beginning, it’s the perfect time to get a fresh start. Find a cool on-campus club to join, pick up a new instrument or go on a run. The possibilities are endless and you don’t know what you’ll like best until you take a chance. Junior Robert Stein, vice president of the climbing club, partakes in many
hobbies such as snowboarding and playing the guitar. “I think it’s kind of escapism, but not in a negative way. In a way that feels productive,” Stein said. “If you try something the first time and you’re disheartened then you might not try anything else, but I think it’s good to go out there and try a few different things until it sticks.” It’s important to be mindful of the downtime you have and how you’re currently choosing to spend it. While you may think you have no time to pick up a new hobby, that’s probably not true. According to a study by RAND Corporation, the average American has about five hours of free time per day. When you get home from a long day of classes, it’s easy to fall straight into bed and not think about anything else. While this is okay every once in a while, don’t make it a habit. Use your free time wisely instead of spending those five hours scrolling on your phone. “Having a social aspect to my hobbies and having friends that want me to be with them really helps,” Mitchell said. Knowing you have something to look forward to when your classes end has the potential to change your college experience, so get out there and try something new. -Rhian sophomore
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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.
FOOTBALL
Texas State football needs student support By David Cuevas Opinions Contributor Football games are one of the many great experiences college has to offer its students. These games are a place where every member of the student body, whether they’re an avid football fan or not, can go for a fun atmospheric experience. The Texas State football program’s lack of success has led to a steady decline in student interest to the point where it has become virtually nonexistent, so much so that only attending the tailgate and not the actual game has become a running joke among many students. The last time Texas State football played a game was Nov. 26, 2022. The Bobcats were trounced 41-13 by Sun Belt Conference rival Louisiana-Lafayette in what would be former head coach Jake Spavital’s final game on the sidelines. Despite it being Senior Day, the seats inside Bobcat Stadium were half empty. The capacity of the stadium is 30,000 and only 15,035 fans were in attendance. Yet hours before kickoff, the tailgate section in the stadium’s parking lot was a completely different scene. Hundreds of students were in attendance, music was blaring and one giant party was taking place. It was precisely what you would expect to see at a college football tailgate; however, none of that energy
moved into the stadium to support the football team. Students choosing to leave before kickoff has become a recurring theme in San Marcos during football season. Former Heisman trophy-winning quarterback and current ESPN college football analyst Tim Tebow said it best when it comes to students supporting their university teams. “I knew going into college what it was all about. If I could support my team, support my college, support my university, that’s what it’s all about,” Tebow said on an episode of First Take. Tebow’s words still ring true. The football team represents Texas State University, the school in which we as students chose to attend. Students should take pride and support the players no matter how many games they win on the field, rather than mock and turn their backs on them. After all, college athletics are a part of our college experience. Another reason why students must attend games is because students can play a role in whether or not our teams win or lose games, hence the term “home-field advantage.” “As players we feed off the [fanbase’s] energy,” redshirt junior quarterback Malik Hornsby said. “If they will be able to come and not just stay for the tailgate and actually be participants and enjoy the game and be loud, that’ll help us win more games.” The single bright spot to Texas State’s disastrous
2022-23 season was the 36-24 upset victory over Appalachian State on Oct. 8. A record-breaking attendance of over 25,000 fans was in attendance to watch the Bobcats defeat the heavily favored Mountaineers. Perhaps it’s a coincidence that Texas State happened to claim its biggest win of the season with Bobcat Stadium at near maximum capacity or perhaps what Hornsby said has some merit to it. Loud energetic home crowds at sporting events certainly play a part in the outcome and as students, it’s our duty to attend games, fill the stands and make as much noise as possible to help our teams emerge victorious. This season, Texas State has a new head coach: G.J. Kinne. The 34-year-old came to Texas State from the FCS program Incarnate Word. The hiring of Kinne has seemingly sparked an interest in the Texas State football program that had been missing for quite some time. The excitement and anticipation for the Kinne era has only grown over the spring and summer as he has assembled a young ambitious coaching staff, overhauled the roster with a 55-man recruiting class that ranks top in the Sun Belt Conference and implemented his “Take Back Texas” philosophy. Kinne said he believes the team needs to promote an exciting brand of football in order for students to begin to show support. “I think part of that is on us,” Kinne said. “But at the same time early on we’re going to need [the students] to come out. We want to have the best home-field advantage in the Sun Belt. If we can do that then we have a real chance. We definitely need their support.” So far Kinne has done and said all the right things to ensure the Texas State football team improves significantly from its past several disappointing seasons. He has come in and set a new standard for the program and the coaches and players have bought into it. There is a firm belief in the locker room that the 2023-24 team can not only compete for the Sun Belt Conference Championship but earn the first postseason bowl bid in program history, a goal that has been chased since 2012. Sophomore wide receiver Kole Wilson said he hopes student turnout will be better at games this upcoming season. “They’ll see,” Wilson said. “When we come out here and start winning, they're definitely going to want to come witness it.” For those lofty goals to be met, the students of Texas State must do their part. Continue going to the tailgate, have fun with friends and create an electric vibrant atmosphere, but instead of taking the party elsewhere afterward, take it into Bobcat Stadium to cheer on the football team. Fill every seat and yell so loud that the opposing team hears you before they even get off the bus. The coaches deserve it, the players deserve it and most importantly, Texas State University deserves it. -Davis Cuevas is a journalism senior
ILLUSTRATION BY DJ ROSS
The University Star
Tuesday, August 29, 2023 | 5
LIFE & ARTS
Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu
FROM FRONT CLUBS childhood coach. “[Deichmann] just somehow really understands all of her riders. She knows when to push, she knows when to back off. She knows everything, it's like she’s in your brain,” Everett said. Everett’s long history with equestrianism has allowed her to become a part of a winning group, with the Texas State Equestrian Team placing third in regionals in March. With big victories already in the books, Deichmann is looking forward to a bigger team with an even better season. “Our biggest goal the last several years has been publicizing us and getting our name out there,” Deichmann said. “For a long time nobody really knew we existed, so we’ve definitely accomplished the goal of getting some recognition. I hope this year, especially with this many people that we have hoping to join, we'll have a really competitive group.” Texas State Equestrian Team Co-Captain Hannah Patterson, an exercise and sports science junior, has been a part of the team for three years and a team captain for two. Being a captain consists of trying to publicize the team, which Patterson also feels they have accomplished. PHOTO BY HALEY VELASCO Through participating in multiple competitions Lauren Everett, psychology junior, rides with her horse, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at Sunny Fox Farms in San Marcos. and hundreds of practices, Patterson’s favorite memories consist of the day-to-day lessons and team Not only has she allowed the team to improve over you because I know you can be better than what you shenanigans that she can look back on for years to the years, but many riders believe that Deichmann is a are, so just do better,’” Hammer said. “It’s tough love. come. “Sometimes our coach will just blast music with a coach that accommodates every riders’ needs to make She knows what you need and I needed that and it speaker and we’ll do fun week lessons where we’ll have stuck with me.” them a better competitor. For other students that rode for longer, riding for no stirrups and we’re bareback all week,” Patterson Texas State Equestrian Team Co-Captain Rachel Hammer, a human development and family sciences Texas State was a given. But for students like Texas said. “It’s not always hard, aggressive work. We do have sophomore, has been riding for nearly six years. After State Equestrian Team Co-Captain Lauren Everett, a a lot of fun out there and it is a huge, huge family that making a decision to take a break from riding once she psychology junior, riding for a different coach was an we all just love to hang out with.” With tryouts closed, Deichmann still encourages went to college, she changed her mind once she had a obstacle she was initially afraid to overcome. riders to reach out to her if they’re interested in joining Everett, who has been riding since she was eight great first impression of the team and coach. “One of my favorite things that [Deichmann has] or nine years old, said she didn’t think she could the team. ever said to me was, she was like ‘I’m being hard on feel as connected to Deichmann as she felt with her
PERFORMING ARTS
TXST Theatre to host 21st annual Black and Latino Playwright Celebration By Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor The Texas State Theatre Department will be hosting its 21st annual Black and Latino Playwright Celebration from Aug. 28 - Sept. 3 at the Theatre Center and Performing Arts Center. The annual celebration will entail four days of rehearsals that are open to the public to see guest directors, professional actors, dramaturgs and Texas State theatre students at work. The last two days of the event will show readings of the new plays “Escobar’s Hippo” by Franky Gonzalez and “Hurt People” by LaDarrion Williams. “I try to pick plays that the students can relate to, with themes that students can relate to and to challenge them, to go into areas that aren’t so comfortable for them at times, because that’s what’s going to be asked to them out in the professional world,” Eugene Lee, the artistic director, said. Lee, the founder of the 21st annual Black and Latino Playwright Celebration, is a Texas State alumnus and professor for the Department of Theatre and Dance. It started when Lee was asked to come back to Texas State to direct one of his plays for Black History Month. During Lee’s academic career at Texas State in 1974, there were only three Black performers. When asked to return, Lee continued to grow frustrated after finding only four Black performers in the theatre department. Because of the lack of Black performers in the department, Lee had to venture out to find more performers in the San Marcos and Austin area. This idea to incorporate both Texas State and local performers has stuck for decades. “I wanted to be able to nurture some voices that don’t get these kinds of opportunities in the mainstream,” Lee said. Every year, Lee likes to provide a distinguished achievement award. This award goes to people
of color that have made a positive impact in the theatre world. This year, the award will go to Carlos Morton, a professor emeritus for the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Morton has more than 100 theatrical productions both nationally and internationally. Another member of the artistic team for the celebration is Sarah Maines, the chair for the Department of Theatre & Dance. Maines works mainly as a producer, making sure to cover the publicity for the celebration and assisting with utilizing the funding provided by the Center for Diversity and Gender Studies and Humanities Texas. Maines has participated in the annual Black and Latino Playwright Celebration for three years. Through her contributions, Maines believes that this production is not only important for performers of color, but for white performers and audience members to be able to see and learn. “What I haven’t actually said out loud is the critical exposure to our white students of the culture that they can learn from the experience of attending these shows,” Maines said. “[There’s] so many great things for people of all walks of life to learn from this experience.” One of the students that had a positive impact on the celebration last year was Jajuan Wade, a theatre certification senior. Last year, Wade got the part to play a key role in the play “A Cup of Life” by Kwik Jones. The story consisted of two sisters allowing children with a troubled past to work in a plant shop. Wade, playing the officer, got to witness a central element of the importance of growing relationships in order to form new beginnings. From auditioning to be a part of the production to performing the reading, the entire experience for Wade was life changing. “I think [the play] was beautifully written and beautifully told,” Wade said. “It lets people have those hard conversations and see those hard situations that many others don’t see.” Lee believes that a lot of audience members and performers are able to make the most out of the celebration. He recounts his favorite memories of being able to observe the evolution of performers of color and seeing it come to life more and more each year. “When I see student’s lives changed because they had the opportunity to participate in this, when I see people’s minds change because they see themselves celebrated in these stories, those are special moments to me,” Lee said. The final readings of the playwrights will be at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2 and noon on Sunday, Sept. 3 at the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Tickets for public admission are $10 and $7 for Texas State students, faculty and staff.
ILLUSTRATION BY EVA BOWLER
CINEMA
ILLUSTRATION BY AFAAF ALNAHAS
TXST women reflect on “Barbie” movie By AnaBelle Elliot Life and Arts Contributor The “Barbie” movie has collected attention across the globe and the discussions across campus reveal the movie has had a cultural impact on students. As an increase of new introspection and reflection continue to emerge, there’s a surge of unity sparking among Texas State organizations. Warner Bros.’ highest grossing domestic film “Barbie” has sparked conversations at Texas State after hitting theaters July 21. The film, directed by Greta Gerwig and produced by Margot Robbie, broke several box office records, having the biggest opening day of 2023. Texas State Darlings Treasurer Jocelyn Maldonado, a pre-nursing junior, is a first generation college student and said she didn’t grow up seeing the women in her life being able to go to college. Reflecting on having played with Barbies as a kid, Maldonado said the movie made her realize, to her, “Barbie” applied to a bigger message of what is possible for women. “I was scared to go off to college because nobody else had done it,” Maldonado said. “But even watching a movie where they do have a doctor Barbie, a lawyer Barbie… you see these women as these empowerment roles because it's not something that I saw a lot growing up, and just having these Barbies that I used to play with as a little girl really struck me.” Besides the movie having different Barbie characters with various occupations, the movie highlighted society's physical expectations of women.
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SPORTS
David Cuevas Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu
SOCCER Junior midfielder and 2022’s leading goal-scorer Madi Goss said that the team’s hard work is what sets them apart from other programs. Further, when paired with being underestimated by an opposing club, it can give the Bobcats an edge, Goss said. “I feel like we’re still kind of considered the underdogs that will be underestimated for some games,” Goss said. “But it sets us apart because we’re willing to work hard to prove them wrong.” Through this work ethic, the 2023 Bobcats have developed a high sense of team chemistry and trust. First-year Bobcat and junior defender Lucy Hart said the connectivity of the team is strong. Hart has noticed a large amount of zeal from the team that helps keep their group mentality strong and stable. “We have enough positivity on the team that when someone gets stressed out. There’s enough people to make them feel better if they make a mistake or something,” Hart said. “I think we’ll respond well later in the season [when] we’re under a lot of pressure.” Hart said with the combination of their mental and physical ability, the composure of the team is kept steadily
in cases where things don’t go their way. “That first game we were down one goal and I didn’t feel like we were stressed at all,” Hart said. “Even at halftime, no one was really upset. We knew we could come back from that." Holeman holds the same composure on the field and knows how to manage his team in a way that keeps energy consistent and leveled valuable quality, according to Goss. “He helps you teach,” Goss said. “He will pull you aside and show you what he’s actually asking for instead of just telling it to you and expecting you to know it.” Overall, the energy that Holeman has brought to the Texas State soccer program has been infectious. “Our starters are better because our depth is better, and we have a lot of players coming off the bench right now that could be starting,” Holeman said. “I think everyone knows that. So just all around our depth makes us a little more dangerous and a little more hardworking.” While some teams may have their eyes set on a big prize far down the road, Texas State evidently keeps its nose on the grindstone and actively trusts that the process of hard work. This is the
PHOTO BY MANDALYN LEWALLEN
Texas State sophomore defender and forward Addison Peters (16) traps the ball and gains possession against North Texas, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at Bobcat Soccer Complex in San Marcos.
essence of the soccer club's mantra, ‘Climb The Hill,’ Holeman said. “Everyone wants to win the conference tournament and go to the NCAA [tournaments], but we just talk about getting better every day,” Holeman said.
“We have a mantra ‘climb the hill,’ and that just talks about the hard work we want to put in to get to the top. And we know it's not gonna be a smooth ride.”
FOOTBALL
Football searches for bowl selection in 2023 By James Horton Sports Contributor With college football season nearing for Texas State, the upcoming season marks the beginning of a new era. With a new head coach roaming the sidelines, a multitude of off-season transfers and a competitive culture, the Bobcats are aiming toward a first-ever bowl selection in program history. In early December 2022, the head coach reins were passed to G.J. Kinne after the firing of Jake Spavital. Kinne is fresh off a 12-2 season as a head coach at Incarnate Word where he led the Cardinals to an FCS postseason run, falling just short in the semi-final round. Kinne and his coaching staff spent just one year at Incarnate Word, proving that they're capable of winning right away. When Kinne chose to make the move from Incarnate Word to Texas State he brought a handful of players and coaches with him. Most notably, he brought over the architect of the nation's most high-powered offense in 2022, offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich. Leftwich was recently selected to the 30 Under 30 list by 247sports consisting of 30 of the best up-andcoming Division I assistant coaches under the age of 30. “He’s a superstar,” Kinne said. “You average 52 points a game, obviously you're going to carry yourself a little bit
differently.” For junior defensive end Ben Bell Kinne is the third different head coach he has had. Bell said Kinne and his coaching staff have come and transformed the culture of the team. “You can just tell the hunger in the coaches' eyes,” Bell said. “You feel that belief. You can really tell the coaches want to win.” For a program that has endured the types of struggles that Texas State has over the past several years a fresh start is a vital first step to becoming a consistently winning program. Kinne recruited a total of 55 new players to suit up in maroon and gold this fall, which means position battles have been in full swing since the start of fall practices. With as much new talent as the Bobcats have, they are experiencing what is certainly the best problem to have as a program, deciding who is the best at each position. “It’s probably going to be a gametime decision on a lot of those guys,” Kinne said. “The best players are going to play, period.” For a roster like Texas State’s that is full of talented and promising players finding the best one can be a difficult task. With returners like junior wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins, redshirt senior wide receiver Julian OrtegaJones and a revamped offensive line, the entire Bobcat offense looks like it could
PHOTO BY CARLY EARNEST
Texas State redshirt junior quarterback Malik Hornsby throws a pass, Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Bobcat Stadium.
PHOTO BY CARLY EARNEST
Texas State redshirt senior wide receiver Julian Ortega-Jones rounds up the team and chants encouraging words, Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Bobcat Stadium.
potentially be the strength of the team, unlike last season. Hawkins was recently placed on the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award preseason watchlist and is coming off an explosive season in 2022. His deep threat ability will benefit the run-pass option that Leftwich likes to run. “We’re counting on him this fall,” Kinne said. “If you make that many plays, you’re a leader.” The offensive line has seen a pair of Oklahoma transfers in redshirt senior Brey Walker who has played in 41 games in the Big 12, and redshirt junior Marcus Alexander. They also added five Incarnate Word linemen from the 2022 Cardinals. One of those five linemen AP FCS All-American redshirt senior offensive lineman Caleb Johnson is pleased with the level of the competition. “Everybody wants to start,” Johnson said. “But it’s really good to have the battles and go against somebody that you know you’re going to have to outwork because it makes you better.” For Texas State expectations for the 2023 season is to outwork the rest of the Sun Belt
Conference in order to achieve victories. “We just want to put our head down and work,” Bell said. “I feel like if we do that then we can get to a conference championship, we can get to the bowl game.” Texas State will begin its season on the road against Baylor at 6 p.m. on Sept. 2 at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas.
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