PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE FEBRUARY 14TH, 2017 VOLUME 65, ISSUE 3 Super Bowl Miracle: The Patriots and Patriotism RAMON MORGAN Dreamers without Borders protesting President Trump’s EDUARDO LOPEZ STAFF WRITER executive order, the Travel 2017 Super Bowl was one STAFF WRITER Ban that banned Muslims from of the greatest, if not the greatest several countries from entering Imagine moving to a new football game everplayed. country with your spouse and 8 and leaving the United States of month old baby with a dream to The NFL’s #1 offense, The America. Gaga also performed have a better life for them. The Atlanta Falcons, went up against the “Born This Way” supporting LGBTQ community and sending emotions you endure because you NFL’s #1 defense, The New England a very clear message to the to brave new territories, you learn Patriots. It was an amazing matchup. The Falcons leader, Matt Ryan, was United States VP, Mike Pence. to survive differently, and learn the named the Most Valuable Player To the massive crowd she belted languages and laws of the land in by the National Football League. out “No matter gay, straight, or order to fulfill that dream. Ryan finished the 2016 NFL season bi / Lesbian, transgendered life For some like me, this throwing a league low 7 interceptions / I’m on the right track baby / I wasn’t a dream. This was my in 16 games earning the nickname was born to survive / No matter reality. I was that baby. My parents Matty Ice. Patriots Quarterback Tom black, white or beige / Chola or made the biggest decision of their Brady, who many analysts see as the orient made / I’m on the right life and they moved to Chicago, IL. greatest player of this generation, track baby / I was born to be I applied during the summer Photo Courtesy of Eduardo Lopez had a lot to prove for the 2016 brave.” Her entire set list was to a program called “Dreamers season. Brady was suspended by aimed more at protesting the without Borders.” This program Mexican heritage. the NFL 4 games after gameballs injustice the country is facing at was something that could help me Contrary to popular belief, were underinflated in the 2015 AFC the hands of its government, as in my journey to learn more about the program wasn’t just about Championship game. specific lyrics from each song the land of my birth, my family, seeing your family, but also about The Patriots had a lot to was used in her performance and could help my academic career. networking with other college prove this season. The team was medley. Well Played, Lady Gaga. The U.S.-Mexico students. The goal was to help stripped of its 2016 first round Gaga’s performance was watched Foundation’s “Dreamers without each other in any shape or form, NFL draft pick. Tom Brady was by 117.5 million viewers, and th became the second most watched Borders” is an educational and uniting us through education and in his 7 Super Bowl, and their halftime show behind Katy service learning program that seeks our roots. The first couple days initial possessions were very short offensive drives going 3 plays and Perry’s 2015 halftime show. to reconnect DACA Dreamers of was bout the entire group visiting museums and learning about outl one drive ended with a fumble Following the Halftime Mexican origin that lives in the show, The Falcons stared the Mexico as a whole and in the by LeGarrette Blount. The Falcons’ United States with their country second half of the game right following weeks, we broke into number one passing attack would of origin, for the purpose of where they left off, destroying groups that originated from certain take advantage of this. Matt Ryan contributing to their empowerment threw 2 touchdowns against the the Patriots. Matt Ryan threw a states. and professional development. Patriots; secondary, which struggled 6 yard pass to Tevin Coleman The group I was assigned to Well over 800 students early on. The Falcons thus took an and the score 28-3.The Patriots applied from across the United visited Universidad Autónoma del early 14-0 lead. The next possession needed a miracle. The next States for this opportunity of a Estado de México, where we were on offense Tom Brady drove the drive The Patriots finally scored lifetime, as some people are not invited as guests to meet the Rector Patriots all the way to the red zone. a touchdown with 3:06 left as fortunate to travel back to the (what we consider the president But then he threw an interception to in the third quarter. The Pats country of their birth. Travel of the university) Dr. Jorge Olvera Robert Alford. Alford ran all the way would go on to score 4 straight between the United States and Garcia of UAEM. The group had to the other end zone for 82 yards, drives including two 2-point Mexico is not only expensive, but an amazing time getting to know the second longest interception return conversions. The Patriots shut also hard with travel restrictions about the university and for him to in Super Bowl history. New England out the Falcons high powered and issues with immigration get to know them.The “Dreamers” was down 21-0. To some, the game offence to force an overtime occurring frequently; which is a also met with various politicians looked over. Only three team had for the first time in the Super Bowl’s 51 year history after a major concern as President Trump and talked about how the overcome a 10-point deficit in the 28-28 tie. The Patriots won the continues to threaten to build his government works in the Estado de Super Bowl, including the Patriots in Mexico. 2014. Now they were down 21-0. At toss and selected to receive the wall, separating the U.S from ball. It was the beginning of the After the educational Haft time the Falcons led 21-3. Mexico. end. In just eight plays in under requirements were met with the At halftime, Lady Gaga made Out of this pool of students, 4 minutes, Brady’s passing lead groups, the students were allowed a her performance a political stance, I was selected as one of the 100 the Patriots to the game winning to separate and were given time just like Beyoncé did last year, when recipients chosen that went to she performed her hit ‘Formation’ touchdown. On the 2 yard line to see their families. The feeling Mexico. I was so happy because while decked out in Black Panther James White ran it in for his I got the moment I saw my family so many have applied for this themed attire. Beyoncé, who third touchdown of the game. experience. Although I am a full- was indescribable. After 24 years supported Black Lives Matter, used The greatest comeback in Super time student, working full-time of not seeing them or being in my her performance to send a message Bowl history. More than 30 and the President of the STEM homeland, it was a dream come because of all of the recent police Super Bowl records were tied or Club on campus, I jumped at this true. Even to this day, it still feels killings. Gaga was no different when broken. Tom Brady surpassed Joe opportunity. Not only because it surreal. The experience I gained it came to fighting for the rights of Montana and Terry Bradshaw for was going to allow me to reconnect while on my trip has given me the people. She stared the halftime most wins by starting quarterback with where I came from, but have more knowledge in the path to my show by singing a rendition of with five. He broke Kurt a major impact on my education career and future. God Bless America and This Land Warner’s passing yards record and professional journey. So I am proud to not only have Is your Land, which were songs with 466 yards. This Super Bowl during this past winter break, I been able to have been chosen, but activists had been using during their will never be forgotten. It was watched by 111.3 million people. got to fulfil my dream. I traveled to represent my school as well. I rallies as the omitted verses to the Super Bowls are indeed another back to Mexico; reunited with my am proud to be a Pioneer, and a songs had deeper meanings. This song selection was primarily for American Holiday. family, and learned more about my Dreamer without a Border. PAGE 2 THE PIONEER FEBRUARY 14TH, 2017 Black History MontH EBONY HAMPTON EDITOR IN CHIEF Black History Month, or Na- The event grew out of “Ne- prejudices. Contrary tional African American His- gro History Week,” the idea to those beliefs, Black tory Month, is a celebration of of noted historian Carter G. History Month is very achievements by Black Ameri- Woodson and other prominent important to all, be- cans that occurs during the African Americans. Since 1976, cause the upcoming month of February each year. every U.S. generations should president has be taught the signifi- Black His- officially des- cance and meaning tory month ignated the behind the month is very im- month of Feb- and how far the portant. ruary as Black black race has come This time is History Month. despite all of the set- dedicated Other coun- backs they (we) have to those tries around endured. The voices who have the world, in- of our people contin- contribut- cluding Can- ue to be heard and ed to the ada and the no amount of hatred advance- United King- or threat of punish- ment of dom, also de- ment can take away Black peo- vote a month the accomplish- ple and to celebrating ments of those that for recog- black history.