Volume 61 Issue 2 September 10, 2018 Student run since Volume One Dateline: Downtown Also in This Issue... Studying abroad... Page 6 A first look at the Houston Texans sea- son...Page 9 A game-changing More than just a blunt: The maturity of new shopping app for marijuana...Page 7 clothing..Page 11 Staff/Contact2 Us Editor - Quintin Coleman Assistant Editor - Michael Case Business Manager - Irene Nunez Social Media Manager - Sonia Sanchez Faculty Advisor - Dr. Joseph Sample Staff Writers Dateline Downtown welcomes submissions to the editor Naomi Cardwell from any member of the UH system. Submissions should Jaida Doll be no more than 800 words, include the author’s full name, Archie Gayle phone number or email address, and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Writers Helen Martinez Guidelines are available on the UHD/dateline webpage Lissette Perez Anonymous submissions will not be published. Contributing Writers from Dr. Sample's TCOM 4360 Deliver submissions to room S-260, email them to Course [email protected] or fax them to (713) Emily Christensen 221 8569. Letters to the Editor and reader submissions may be edited for space, content, spelling, grammar and Ashley Medrano malicious, vulgar, or hateful statements. Submissions must Sonia Sanchez be the original work of the writer and must be signed. All submissions become property of Dateline: Downtown and will not be returned. Intern for TCOM Internship Michael Case Dateline: Downtown is the offi cial student-run newspaper of University of Houston-Downtown. Editorials, cartoons, columns and letters are the opinions of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other student writers, editors, advisors of the University of How to Get in Touch with Dateline: Downtown Houston-Downtown, its administration or students. Facebook - @DatelineDowntown Instagram and Twitter - @the_dateline Editorial: Welcome to the new world by Quintin Coleman Editorials3 First and foremost, my apol- graduated with a bachelor’s degree In other words, I want my run of the as experiencing new things to do in ogies for the late introduction. This in journalism from the University newspaper to be marked by having Houston and getting the editing job sort of thing is more customary for of Houston – Main campus in 2011, a variety of subject matter that will for the newspaper in the first place. the first issue of the year, not the sec- managed two businesses from top to cover as many interests of the UHD Despite what I’ve had to deal with, I ond. My name is Quintin Coleman, bottom before the age of 26, and has student body as possible. can undoubtedly say that I am in the editor of the 61st volume of Dateline: had his fair share of internal battles. The other challenge that best place I’ve ever been in my life. Downtown, the official student-run Being the editor for this comes with being an editor is trying So, Gators, before you delve newspaper of University of Hous- paper is the biggest challenge I have to manage life (as well as trying to into what will be a great issue of the ton – Downtown. I’m grateful to be undertaken in my life thus far, and I manage constant e-mails but mostly paper, I want you to challenge your- a part of this organization and will was an elementary school teacher for life). Not to get too philosophical in a self to do something. Whether it’s go- continue to be until I have to give a brief moment in time. Part of the student newspaper but life has a way ing the extra mile to actually read all up my position upon graduating in challenge is simply trying to achieve of throwing us for a loop; it is pos- of the articles your professor assigns Spring 2019 with my master’s degree the vision I have for this paper as I sible for us to be in your best mental you to read (and actually understand in rhetoric and composition. My want this paper to have a little bit of space you’ve ever been with less the content), going for that job or goal is to become a college profes- something for everyone as far as con- than ideal situations being thrown promotion you don’t think you’re sor; ideally, this would be either at tent goes. That means I want there to our way. I have been helping my fully qualified for or just taking a a community college or at a small be technology news for people who mom trying to manage a pretty rough chance and striking up a conversation university, depending on employment want it, as well as stories related to illness she has been dealing with for with that person you had your eye requirements and the like. business, psychology, unbiased poli- almost a year now. I also lost my on in class for a little while now, you For those of you hoping that tics (though probably not the heavy, aunt who was a second mother to me may find that things will go better there’s a long and exciting backstory heavy political topics; I feel like the earlier in the summer. However, that than you expect. Taking a chance about me, lower those hopes because readership can get that just about has been counterbalanced with many is how I got to be in the position of there isn’t one. I’m simply a man anywhere), video games, music and of the other great things that have writing this editorial after all. who was born and raised in Houston, a host of other subjects and topics. been happening in the interim, such Editorial: Get to know your assistant editor by Michael Case Greetings fellow Gators, gating outside NRG Stadium or row’s in the Heights. I love the rich, distract and start dialogue. I want BBVA Compass Stadium. I frequent cultural diversity the city of Houston to hear from you, the readers. What My name is Michael Case our excellent museums, love those offers. stories do you want to hear? What and I’m the assistant editor, staff free Thursdays! I support the local I feel pride going to such a did you like? What can we do better writer, and intern at Dateline. I’m a breweries as well as the local theatre great university in the heart of the as a paper? I hope this semester finds senior, getting my Bachelor of Sci- scene. I love summer blockbusters fourth largest city in the US, as a stu- you well and you continue to grow ence in Technical Communications, and midnight shows at the River dent and a Houstonian. I believe in as students. Good luck, Gators! formerly Professional Writing. I have Oaks Theater. I eat tacos for break- honesty, positivity and equality. I’m been writing for Dateline for close to fast, Vietnamese for lunch and bar- an optimist who wants to entertain. Regards, two years and enjoy it immensely. becue for dinner. I look forward to There are many issues facing our I was born and raised in crawfish season as much as football university, city and country, and this Michael Case Houston, my tastes are diverse as season. You can find me playing vid- paper will address those issues. this beautiful city. I am a major eo games at Neil’s Bahr downtown, As a sports and enter- Houston sports fan, regularly tail- or watching games at Little Wood- tainment writer, I want to inform, 4 The power of science: UHD alumanae UHD News empower Latinas in STEM by Sonia Sanchez Two UHD alumnae, Jacque- and well-respected in the Hispanic population, and they are the largest She said fields need to represent what line Tarango, B.S. and Diana Silva, professional communities. ethnic group in the country. With the country looks like, and there are B.S., are currently starting a nonprof- Tarango and Silva are cur- many vacant STEM positions open, definitely groups being underrepre- it organization called Empowering rently pursuing graduate school in this means that STEM professions sented. Latinas STEM (Science, Technology, the STEM field. Silva is pursuing a are an opportunity waiting for Lati- UHD is a Hispanic-serving Engineering and Mathematics). doctoral degree in Biotechnology, nos to fulfill. institution, and 61 percent of the The two UHD alumnae and Tarango is pursuing a doctoral The Empowering Latinas students are female. The women at co-founded the organization with degree in Biomedical Engineering STEM organization also has people UHD could benefit from the pro- their mentor, Dr. Anna M. Doro, while also double majoring in Physi- from the U.S. Department of Defense grams at Empowering Latinas STEM with a mission to empower every cal Therapy. Dr. Doro has a Ph.D. in who are willing to be mentors for organization. Ashvanthi is one of overachieving Latina to optimize Environmental Science and Engi- underrepresented youth in STEM Jacqueline’s former classmates at their full potential in careers as neering from the University of Texas seeking guidance and help in obtain- UHD. “…when I found out that she STEM professionals and leaders for at San Antonio. ing professional careers in national created an organization for Latinas in United States’ National Defense and “My dream was to have an security and defense. the STEM field, I wasn’t surprised!” Space sectors. Their goal is to foster organization where underrepresented At UHD, the quality en- said Ashvanthi “She shows great economic growth and innovation girls could obtain scholarships and hancement plan is an academic leadership for her community!” through STEM awareness, mentor- opportunities when I finished col- achievement through community Melisa Chapa is another former ing, access to opportunities, support lege.” said Jacqueline, “My dream engagement, and these recent Lati- classmate of Jacqueline.