THE STUDENT VOICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2019 WWW.UTRGVRIDER.COM VOL. 4, ISSUE 21 /UTRGVRIDER @UTRGV_THERIDER Honoring a fallen hero Samantha Garza THE RIDER CHARREADA During its meeting last Tuesday, the Edinburg City Council approved a resolution to name a police department facility after a fallen Marine. The Derek Hernandez Police Training Facility is named in honor of the Marine lance corporal who was born and raised in Edinburg and planned to pursue a career in law enforcement. The summer after graduating from Edinburg High School in 2008, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. “He was a very young man full of faith,” Anita Reyna, Hernandez’s aunt told The Rider. Reyna said that Hernandez told her before he was deployed that he was going to “leave a mark” in his hometown. Derek Hernandez After serving as a military policeman and infantryman for two years, Hernandez died on June 6, 2010, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations. He was 20 years old. Mayor Richard Molina, a U.S. Army veteran, proposed that the building be named in honor of the fallen Marine after meeting the Hernandez family on several occasions, he told The Rider. “They had always conveyed to me that because he was one of the last soldiers that had died in the line of battle, he didn’t have anything in his honor,” Molina said. “So, I knew it was very THE RIDER FILE PHOTO important to find something to name.” Dancers dressed in the traditional costume of Jalisco, Mexico, and charros are shown as they celebrate the “Hopefully, when we are long gone from here, Derek Charreada at UTRGV and Texas Southmost College outside the Oliveira Student Services Center last year. Hernandez’s name will always be remembered for his service,” Molina said during the meeting. early, participate, visit some contest, as well as a traditional The City of Edinburg built a police training facility in 2017. Eric Montoya of the different organizations After finding out that Hernandez aspired to be a law enforcement THE RIDER Mexican costume contest. The and booths.” officer, Molina saw fit that the building would be named in his winners will be given prizes Students will need to As part of the city’s Charro honor. such as VBucks, UTRGV present their university IDs to Days celebration, UTRGV The original resolution was presented to Virginia Reyna, swag or gift cards for local receive a T-shirt. will host Charreada 2019, Hernandez’s mother. restaurants. Mata-Vasquez said this which will take place at 3 p.m. The audience and councilmembers applauded as she received Cindy Mata-Vasquez, event allows students to Wednesday on the Student the resolution, accompanied by Hernandez’s sister, Erica director of Student Activities, experience what college life is. Union lawn in Brownsville. said they will also be giving Hernandez, aunts Anita Reyna and Eva Tamez and uncle “I like to think that events Several student away their traditional Tony Reyna. like Charreada really open organizations will sell Charreada T-shirts. Hernandez’s favorite Bible verse was Isaiah 41:10: antojitos mexicanos, or “We will be giving away up our university students to “Fear not, for I am with you; traditional Mexican snacks, … our exclusive Charreada experience … a true college Be not dismayed, for I am your God. during the Charreada. T-shirt that we only do event,” she said. “I mean, I will strengthen you, Also, a variety of contests once a year,” Mata-Vasquez student organizations will be Yes, I will help you, will take place during the said. “We do have a limited fundraising, there’s going to I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” event, including a grito quantity so, definitely, I would be a DJ playing live music and “Before he left he told me, ‘Tía, this is my favorite verse,’” contest, a jalapeño eating encourage students to come See CHARREADA, Page 2 Anita Reyna told The Rider. FESTIBA 2019 aims to inspire communities Britney Valdez skills, good literacy skills,” Guerra said. and Jessica Mendez The celebration kicked off THE RIDER last Tuesday with the opening With the theme of of the UTRGV School of Art inspiring communities and Faculty Exhibition in the Art celebrating cultural heroes, Gallery at Rusteberg Hall on this year’s FESTIBA will the Brownsville campus and be filled with art exhibits, will continue until March 22. presentations, panels, Last Wednesday, the debut performances and more. of the film, “Just a Ferry Ride The Festival of International to Freedom” took place in the Books and Art is a weeklong Performing Arts Complex on celebration that will last until the Edinburg campus. Sunday and will host events More than 4,000 students on the Edinburg and the in the Gaining Early Brownsville campuses. Awareness and Reading for Dahlia Guerra, assistant Undergraduate Programs vice president for Public (GEAR UP) attended Art, encourages university presentations by authors and students and the community scholars last Wednesday on members to attend. the Brownsville campus and “It’s a great opportunity to last Thursday on the Edinburg be engaged with the university campus. The students will Jorge Abundiz/The Rider and, above all, teach our continue their visit on the Art juniors Manuel Gamez and Alexis Flores discuss the artwork, “American Mexican II,” by Lecturer Alejandro young students and their Edinburg campus today Macias, during the UTRGV School of Art Faculty Exhibition last Tuesday in the Art Gallery at Rusteberg Hall on parents that it’s important to through Wednesday. the Brownsville campus as part of Pre-FESTIBA. have good communication See FESTIBA, Page 6 February 25, 2019 2 ON CAMPUS THE RIDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Today For more information, call 665-2243. VBucks. For more information, call Meet the Support Group 665-7890. The Rider is the official, award- Candidates The Office of Victim Advocacy Pop on by winning student newspaper of the Fair and Violence Prevention will The Learning Center will University of Texas Rio Grande Meet the host a free support group at 12:15 provide information about free Valley. The newspaper is widely candidates for p.m. in Health Affairs Building West services, resources and employment the 2019- 2020 Student 1.142 on the Edinburg campus. The opportunities at noon in Music, distributed on and off campus in Government Association support group is for dating, domestic Science and Learning Center Building Brownsville and Edinburg, Texas. elections at 12:15 p.m. in Student violence and sexual assault victims and Room 2.118 on the Brownsville Views presented are those of the Union Commons on the Edinburg survivors. For more information, call campus. On the Edinburg campus, writers and do not reflect those campus. On the Brownsville 665-8287. the event will take place at the same campus, the event will take place Student ensemble series of the newspaper or university. time in Learning Center Room 100. at the same time on the Student The UTRGV Men’s Choral Free popcorn will be served. For more EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Union lawn. The fair will also take Festival will take place at 7 p.m. information, call 665-2585. Victor G. Ramirez place the same time and place Tuesday in the Performing Arts Complex on UPCOMING EVENTS on both campuses. For more the Edinburg campus. The festival Spring Break trip ONLINE EDITOR information, email jodie.dominguez@ will feature a professional men’s The Campus Programming Board Leslie Medrano utrgv.edu. choir from San Antonio, ILLUMEN, will host a trip to Las Vegas from March SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Tuesday and both Brownsville and Edinburg 10 to 16. Tickets are $600 and include Sergio Garcia Diplomacy info session men’s choirs. More than 300 men are transportation, hotel, meal vouchers, Meet Julie Kavanagh, diplomat expected to perform. Admission is $5. tickets to the WAC tournament, a tour SPANISH EDITOR in residence for Texas for the U.S. For more information, call 665-3881. and a show. To purchase tickets, call Eric Montoya Department of State, at 12:15 p.m. in Wednesday 665-3415 or visit International Trade Liberal Arts Building North Room ‘Super Smash Bros.’ tournament and Technology Building Room 1.406 A&E EDITOR 107 on the Edinburg campus. On the A “Super Smash Bros.” on the Edinburg campus between 8 Britney Valdez Brownsville campus, the event will take tournament will take place at a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, place at the same time in Salon Cassia. noon in the game room on the COPY EDITOR email [email protected]. Lindsey Villalpando Kavanagh will offer information about Edinburg campus. Students can play internships and careers in diplomacy. for free and get a chance to earn --Compiled by Jessica Mendez CARTOONIST Laia Vite SPORTS REPORTER POLICE REPORTS Ramiro Barrera The following are among the incidents reported to University Police between Feb. 14 and 20. REPORTERS Jessica Mendez Feb. 14 residence hall room at Unity Hall on student was on board during the Zugay Treviño 11:57 a.m.: A the Edinburg campus. She requested a accident. There were no injuries Maleny Ortega suspicious man consent search to check for any device, reported, and no damage to the bus. Nubia Reyna was reported at the but nothing was found. There was minor damage reported to Klaudia Cedillo Child Development Feb. 18 the vehicle. Samantha Garza Center on the 3:36 a.m.: A UTRGV Police Feb. 20 Edinburg campus. Department staff member reported 7 p.m.: A student reported that he PHOTOGRAPHERS He was determined to backing up into an emergency was approached at his on-campus Robert Benavidez Jr. be a non-affiliated person, and e-phone at the Soccer Complex on apartment on the Edinburg campus by Aaliyah Garza issued a criminal trespass warning. the Brownsville campus. There were an unknown man asking for donations Fernando Ramirez Feb. 15 no injuries. that he claimed would benefit a military Jorge Abundiz 8 a.m.: An unknown suspect forced 2:34 p.m.: A student reported her branch of his choice. The student a window open to a construction bicycle was stolen from the Music, agreed to donate, but realized that the ADVERTISING SALES office trailer and stole computer phone number the man gave him REPRESENTATIVES equipment in Lot B-1 on the University Police was a non-working number. Eduardo Galindo Brownsville campus. A Clery Act UPDATE: Ivan Herrera Timely Warning Notification was Upon further investigation of a issued. Later on, some of the stolen Email: [email protected] DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS property was found abandoned off Campus Emergency: 882-4911 previous case on Feb. 6, in which a Cristian Cervantes campus and recovered. staff member’s vehicle was keyed in Mariana Gomez 10:42 a.m.: An unknown man and Lot E-37, it was discovered through parking lot cameras that the culprit woman approached a staff member Science, & Learning Center Building FACULTY ADVISER at the Biomedical Research & Health was a former student who had also on the Brownsville campus. caused damage to the staff member’s Michell Godinez building on the Brownsville campus Feb. 19 vehicle in the same way in Lot E-7 and asked for water, but when he didn’t 9:20 a.m.: An officer responded STUDENT MEDIA DIRECTOR have any, they became frustrated. The in January. It was revealed that the Azenett Cornejo to a report of a suspicious man near staff member later witnessed the pair Sabal Hall on the Brownsville campus. culprit had also been harassing the STUDENT MEDIA PROGRAM yelling at a professor walking by. The The man was identified and issued a staff member via social media and text. ADVISER couple left before an officer could criminal trespass warning. An arrest warrant was obtained and Jesus Sanchez contact them. 4:40 p.m.: A staff member hit a non- executed without incident. He has been 9:12 a.m.: A student was concerned charged with two counts of criminal ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS affiliated vehicle in front of the Visitor that her parents may have placed Center Drive on the Edinburg campus. mischief and issued a criminal trespass Ana Sanchez a recording device to monitor her The staff member was operating a warning for UTRGV properties. Maggie Castillo activity or conversations in her UTRGV shuttle bus, in which one --Compiled by Klaudia Cedillo CONTACT: EDINBURG CAMPUS involve students and the community in The event is being organized by 1201 West University Dr. CHARREADA Continued from Page 1 the celebration. TSC and the Mr. Amigo Association. ELABS 170 At 11 a.m. Thursday, Texas Each year, the Mr. Amigo Association Phone: (956) 665-2541 Southmost College will host TSC honors a Mexican citizen to promote Fax: (956) 665-7122 contests. … It’s, really, also a way for Amigofest, which will present Mr. international friendship and goodwill BROWNSVILLE CAMPUS them to forget about classes for a little Amigo 2018, Arturo Elías Ayub, at the between the U.S. and Mexico. 1 West University Blvd. while, enjoy themselves … de-stress in Performing Arts Center. Mata-Vasquez invites students, Student Union 2.16 a good environment.” Elías Ayub is a famous Mexican faculty, staff and the community to Phone: (956) 882-5143 Jesus Zamora, a criminal justice businessman, CEO of Fundación attend the Charreada. Fax: (956) 882-5176 sophomore, said he has never attended Telmex Telcel, director of strategic “We look forward to seeing everyone Email: [email protected] the Charreada at UTRGV before. alliances for América Móvil and next week,” she said. “We hope that © 2019 The Rider However, he has been in several Charro director of Uno TV. these events make a difference in all Days events in the past. During the TSC Amigofest, the of our students. … If they want to see MORE THAN A Zamora hopes to attend Charreada community will be able to enjoy the anything different, let us know, send us this year to enjoy the music, dances mariachi, folkloric dancers, food and an email, and we’ll see how we could and the food. several more. make it happen.” NEWSPAPER Asked what he likes more about Charro Days, he replied, “The influx of culture being spread from the U.S. and Mexico. The festivities surrounding it. Clarification The idea that people come together and spread their culture. … It’s a nice In a story published online Feb. 12 the Ebony Hills Ad-Hoc Committee. way of commemorating our Mexican- about the Edinburg City Council In fact, the list was formulated based American culture.” meeting, it was reported that on suggestions made by residents that The first Charreada took place suggested uses for the Ebony Hills attended all meetings of the ad hoc during the 2016 spring semester Public Golf Course were made by committee and included open space for to commemorate Charro Days and residents during a Jan. 24 meeting of soccer playing. February 25, 2019 THE RIDER ON CAMPUS 3 Mexican-American curriculum Grant to strengthen social studies with local history, culture Klaudia Cedillo response of their students THE RIDER and any improvements they may need. Then, the following Elementary school students summer, the units created will are often overlooked when be “refined and enriched” in it comes to learning about another four-day workshop. the rich and vast Mexican As the units are being made -American culture and history and perfected, a soon-to-be of our region, but thanks to hired graduate student will the hard work and dedication then create a website that will of two university professors, house the materials, enabling that may change. people to have more access. Joy Esquierdo, a professor The 21 teachers will present of Bilingual and Literacy their units in Fall 2020 at a Studies and director of symposium where teachers UTRGV’s Center for Bilingual from across the Rio Grande Studies, and Stephanie Valley will be invited to Alvarez, an associate professor view their newly designed of Mexican American Studies curriculums. and director of UTRGV’s “I think education majors, Center for Mexican American Mexican American studies Studies, have secured a two- majors, English majors, year grant of $999,991 for anyone that has the desire their project, Social Studies to go into the education through Authentic and field, would benefit from Relevant Content (SSTARC). UTRGV PHOTO this project, and this is why SSTARC focuses on infusing Stephanie Alvarez (left), UTRGV associate professor for Mexican American Studies and director of the Center for we really feel strongly about local history in social studies Mexican American Studies, and Joy Esquierdo, a professor of Bilingual and Literacy Studies and director of UTRGV’s putting this online and among elementary schools Center for Bilingual Studies, received a two-year grant for their Social Studies through Authentic and Relevant holding a symposium open to in both English and Spanish Content program. the public and our educators,” classrooms. Alvarez said. Esquierdo said they wanted both culturally relevant and summer, when a select 21 leadership that’s occurred Esquierdo said she is to provide curriculum in both reaffirming. teachers from elementary here,” Esquierdo said. grateful to be able to do languages due to the “very “It’s been an idea we’ve schools from the Pharr-San The 21 selected teachers will positive work like this and limited resources” in social had for a couple of years,” Juan-Alamo Independent attend a four-day workshop at hopes to end up with strong, studies in Spanish, which this Esquierdo said. “Dr. School District and the UTRGV this summer, where organized curriculum units project will, hopefully, help Stephanie Alvarez and I were Harlingen Consolidated they will get help in designing that are easy to follow “like a alleviate. in a conversation about the Independent School District their curriculum units based recipe” for teachers. “My goals are that we can need for relevant curriculum will participate in the two- on the presentations they will Both professors hope, as get teachers excited about in the schools.” year endeavor. receive from faculty members their project continues to this material, that we can get The pair began their journey Alvarez explained they David Bowles, a Literature grow, to be able to expand teachers enthusiastic about to their goal two summers chose to focus their project on & Cultural Studies assistant and apply for a larger grant in providing their students ago, when they applied and elementary schools because professor; Amy Cummins, a the future. with more dual language and obtained a smaller grant they are often disregarded Literature & Cultural Studies “I would love to do this on Mexican American studies from Texas Humanities when it comes to being taught associate professor; George a larger scale,” Alvarez said. “I content,” Alvarez said. “That for a similar project on a Mexican-American content. Diaz, a history assistant would love to spend the rest of they can understand the smaller scale. She believes introducing professor; and Maritza de la my life doing this. If we could benefits of providing their “We worked with a smaller students to this content early Trinidad, an Interdisciplinary get this into all the schools, students with a culturally group of teachers and it was on will make a bigger impact, Program & Community I mean, it would be a dream affirming curriculum.” a shorter workshop. It was rather than waiting until Engagement associate come true.” Esquierdo and Alvarez starting us off and, so, that high school. professor. Esquierdo hopes teachers found their inspiration gave us more content to then “Our students will begin After creating these units, will be excited with the from the lack of an enriched apply for this bigger grant,” to really understand and teachers will implement resources, support and curriculum that maintains Esquierdo said. celebrate their history and all them in their own classrooms “advocacy for MAS teaching students’ “heritage language Their larger project, the great events that happened throughout the year, paying within social studies” of Spanish,” and that is SSTARC, will start this here, the movements, and the special attention to the portrayed through SSTARC. UTRGV staff member shares memories obviously, lights aren’t working or institutions, UT Brownsville and switches go bad or say they get some University of Texas-Pan American new equipment, computers, printers, and the reduction of workforce that and they would like us to go and get came with it. power to them,” he said. “When there “We were not sure who was is projects, remodels or small little carrying over with UTRGV and who projects, like we just had one down wasn’t,” he said. “So, I think at that [at] Boca Chica Stargate. I order time, there was, like, a cloud that was materials and do the scheduling of floating around everybody and I think when we can go and get the job done.” everybody was walking on eggshells.” He earned a bachelor’s degree in However, he believes the change workforce leadership and supervision was positive. in 2009 with the staff tuition “We went from being a campus assistance that was offered at the with, I believe, at that time was legacy institution. 7,000 to 8,000 students to adding “I already had, like, I believe 77 the 20,000 from Edinburg,” he said. college hours because I was going “Being, you know, up there in the for criminal justice back in ’92, when same breed with, maybe like, UT El I graduated,” he said. “So, I got re- Paso or campuses like that. I thought enrolled in school here, and I started that was awesome. I think that is a taking a couple classes a semester.” great thing that happened here in Robert Benavidez Jr./The Rider Looking back, Garza remembers the Valley.” Henry Garza, an electrical supervisor for Campus Facilities Operations, has worked for the his college experience and how Amado Rodriguez, supervisor for university for 15 years, including legacy institution University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas he felt more prepared the second the plumbing department, described Southmost College. time around. Garza as a team player and a good “I went to college right out of co-worker. Jessica Mendez Campus Facilities Operations on the high school, and looking back at it “Whenever we need, he helps us THE RIDER Brownsville campus. now, sometimes we are not ready,” out,” Rodriguez said. “He strives to Before joining the university, Garza he said. “The second time around, go up the ladder. He likes to do better Henry Garza started working for worked in the electrical construction I was a lot more focused. By that each day.” legacy institution University of Texas field with Metro Electric. time, I was married and had a Garza advises students to work at Brownsville/Texas Southmost Garza’s duties as an electrical family. Responsibilities change, your hard and finish their studies. College in 2004, and now after 15 supervisor range from small to big priorities change.” “At the end, there is million excuses years, continues to serve UTRGV projects on campus. Garza said he recalls the process why not,” he said. “All that matters in as an electrical supervisor for “We get requests from campus for, of the merger between legacy the end is, did you do it or not.” February 25, 2019 4 OPINION THE RIDER

“I think what [President] Donald Trump is doing is very stupid. He already caused the government shutdown, which led to a lot of families not being able to pay their bills due to, like, lack of payment or no pay- ment at all. Like, my best friend’s dad who works for the Border Patrol, he wasn’t able to pay for his bills, so he had to take out a lot of loans just to stay in his home and just to do what regular people are doing, and Donald Trump really doesn’t care about that. He cares about the wall, which we don’t need. To me … it’s super unnecessary and with the wall, like, a lot of animals won’t be able to, like, to migrate, such as the but- terflies and all that stuff, and we need that.”

Angelique Muñiz Psychology freshman

“I can understand, but I believe using national emergency kind of breaks the checks and balances of power. [President Donald Trump] should find a different Run your own race earlier, yeah, they weren’t way to enforce it, but he shouldn’t be Leslie bachelor’s degree and set the taken into consideration in using national security just to build the Medrano example for the generations wall. He should do it a different way if ONLINE after me. my application. In fact, I met he feels he has to enforce it. A wall won’t EDITOR That was the problem. with a nursing adviser for guarantee people from passing, so he Not only was I afraid of about five minutes instead of must find a different way to allocate that Ever since I failure, but I became too the usual half-hour and didn’t money. Maybe more border guards or using can remember, caught up with what others get to discuss everything I drones. But, a wall will only buy you time. … If all I ever would think of me instead wanted to, because I he wants to enforce it, a wall won’t work.” wanted to be, of what I actually wanted. I wasn’t qualified. I tried or at least what I was expected broke myself trying to please to discuss my previous Cesar Guillen to be, was a registered nurse. I everyone else. experience, certifications and Computer information systems technology junior entered college in 2015 with that After careful consideration, service hours but none of goal in mind and nothing else. I decided to change my major that mattered. On July 2, 2018, I received to rehabilitation services. Right off the bat, I was “I don’t think we need a border wall. I think we my letter of admission Those around me made it told to consider another just need more national security and that’s all denial from the UTRGV seem as if I made the wrong option because my GPA was I really think. We, kind of, have a wall now School of Nursing. To say choice, but I did this for me .3 points short of a 3.8. I was and people are still crossing over, so I don’t I was devastated is an and only me. I’ve taken a told retaking my B’s for A’s see the whole point. People are still going understatement. I felt lost, semester’s worth of classes was risky and probably still to try and come over. I feel like we just hopeless. My heart was and can honestly say it might wouldn’t cut it. need more emphasis on national security.” completely shattered. be the best decision I’ve made The field is extremely The letter stated, “We hope in a while. competitive. I knew that. I this final decision will not Without a doubt, one of my just wish someone would Sofia Garcia deter you from any have given me the of your personal Biology freshman reality of it before I aspirations.” had to find out the Funny enough, it I’m here to run my own race. hard way. did more than that. “I think it’s ridiculous and [President Donald I’ll be graduating with my Do not, and I Trump is] making too much of a big deal For weeks, I bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation repeat, do not when [there’s] a lot of pressing matters lost sleep trying to believe everything that are actually happening inside this figure out what the services after five years of school you’re told in country that he needs to address. Person- heck I was going advising. Find out ally, the Flint, Michigan, water system; to do with my and I’ve finally come to the for yourself. they’ve been rusted and its polluted wa- life now. Should conclusion that it’s OK. Please don’t ter for god knows how long. … I’d rather I wait a whole be like me. Don’t use that [money]. I’d rather use it for year and apply for become content with the bare minimum of teachers’ funding, ’cause we’ve had strikes the program again in 2019? biggest fears through it all was all over the place. It’s just like I said, it’s un- Retake classes I got B’s in and information because although not graduating in the standard it sounds nice at the moment, necessary he’s just using this to get his wall. pay out of pocket? I couldn’t four years. it might come back to bite you It’s just another campaign promise ’cause he afford that. I was told I’d be OK if I one day. wants to get elected again, which I hope he doesn’t. I desperately looked at took 12 hours a semester and Luckily, I’ve realized this … I believe he is unqualified to begin with. He’s just other universities, vocational worked on some community overusing his power ’cause it is not a national emer- might have been the best schools and certificate service hours to put on my gency, it is not. I understand that you are afraid of thing to ever happen to me programs in the area and nursing application. I don’t people coming into this country, but it’s been hap- because I feel I found my true within my budget, but found I recall being told to pick up pening forever and I understand there is fear of it, calling. I discovered that my was too late. I gave up. a minor or even consider a and I understand it, you know, with drug trafficking, true passion isn’t necessarily I felt as if there was nothing backup plan until my third human trafficking, but we already have that stuff or becoming a nurse; it is the left for me. If I wasn’t cut year in. Yes, I was naive, we already have what we need to stop that or at least idea of being able to help but I had no one to tell me bring it down. I would suggest to use that money to out to be a nurse, what was someone in need. hire more staff or just better, we have drones, we I supposed to be? So many otherwise. I’m a firm believer in the have thermal cameras, we’re better equipped and the thoughts sprinted through If you’ve made it this far saying, “Everything happens wall is just medieval. It’s not going to work. They’re my head. What would my in reading this, here’s some for a reason.” going to find a way over.” family think? What would my advice from one confused I’m here to run my own friends think? I was supposed college student to another: race. I’ll be graduating with Michael A. Lucio to be the “smart” one. I was Get informed! Ask all the my bachelor’s degree in Theatre junior supposed to be that one questions you can and clarify rehabilitation services after success story in my family. I all the information that is given five years of school and I’ve --Compiled by Robert Benavidez Jr. and Aaliyah Garza was supposed to be the first to to you. Those community finally come to the conclusion graduate from college with a service hours I mentioned that it’s OK. 25 de febrero de 2019 THE RIDER NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL 5 UTRGV se prepara para la Charreada Eric Montoya temprano”. EDITOR DE ESPAÑOL Los estudiantes necesitarán presentar sus identificaciones Como ya es costumbre, escolares para poder recibir UTRGV conmemorará las dichas camisetas. fiestas del Charro Days con Mata-Vasquez dijo que la Charreada 2019, la cual este evento sirve para que los tomará lugar a las 3 p.m. del estudiantes experimenten lo miércoles en la explanada que es la vida universitaria. de la Unión Estudiantil en “Me gusta pensar que Brownsville. eventos como Charreada Varias organizaciones permiten que nuestros estudiantiles estarán estudiantes de la universidad vendiendo antojitos experimenten un evento mexicanos durante la realmente universitario”, ella Charreada. dijo. “Quiero decir, va a haber Además, varias organizaciones estudiantiles competencias se llevarán recaudando fondos, habrá un a cabo en el transcurso DJ tocando música en vivo y del evento, tales como concursos. … También es una competencias de grito buena manera de olvidarse tradicional mexicano, un sobre las clases por un rato, concurso de comer jalapeños, disfrutar [y] desestresarse en Foto del archivo The Rider así como una competencia un ambiente sano”. Se muestra a un charro haciendo suertes con la tradicional soga del floreo durante la Charreada del año pasado en de trajes y vestidos típicos Jesus Zamora, un la explanada de la Unión Estudiantil en el campus de Brownsville. mexicanos. Los ganadores estudiante de segundo año en de los concursos serán justicia penal, dijo que nunca Zamora dijo que eventos el anfitrión del TSC Amigofest, el Mr. Amigo Association rinde premiados con VBucks, ha asistido a la Charreada como la Charreada sirven en el cual se presentará al Mr. homenaje a un ciudadano artículos promocionales de en UTRGV. Sin embargo, ha para que los estudiantes se Amigo 2018, Arturo Elías de México para promover la UTRGV o tarjetas de regalo estado en varios eventos del conecten con la cultura. Ayub, en el TSC Performing amistad internacional y la para restaurantes locales. Charro Days en el pasado. “Mucha gente está muy Arts Center. buena voluntad entre EE. UU. Cindy Mata-Vasquez, Zamora dijo espera asistir a americanizada y como que Elías Ayub es un famoso y México. directora de Actividades la Charreada para disfrutar de pierden su cultura mexicana”, empresario mexicano, Mata-Vasquez invita a los Estudiantiles, dijo que la música, danzas y la comida. dijo el. “Yo sería uno de ellos. director de Fundación Telmex estudiantes, profesorado, también estarán regalando Al preguntarle que es lo que Quiero acercarme más a la Telcel, director de Alianzas personal y a la comunidad a sus playeras tradicionales de le gusta más del Charro Days, cultura mexicana”. Estratégicas y Contenidos de asistir a la Charreada. la Charreada. él contestó, “La afluencia de La Charreada se llevó a cabo América Móvil y director de “Esperamos verlos a todos”, “Estaremos regalando … cultura siendo propagada por primera vez en el semestre Uno TV. ella dijo. “Esperamos que estos nuestras camisetas exclusivas de EE. UU. y México. Las de primavera del 2016 para Durante el TSC Amigofest, eventos hagan la diferencia en de la Charreada que solo festividades que lo envuelven. conmemorar Charro Days e la comunidad podrá disfrutar todos nuestros estudiantes. … damos una vez al año”, dijo La idea de que la gente se involucrar a los estudiantes del mariachi, ballet folklórico, Si quieren ver algo diferente, Mata-Vasquez. “Tenemos reúna y difunda su cultura. … y a la comunidad en la comida y varios más. El hágannoslo saber, envíennos una cantidad limitada, así Creo que es una buena forma celebración. evento es organizado con la un correo electrónico, y que … recomendaría a los de conmemorar nuestra A las 11 a.m. del jueves, colaboración de TSC y Mr. nosotros veremos como lo estudiantes que lleguen cultura mexicoamericana”. Texas Southmost College será Amigo Association. Cada año, podemos hacer posible”. Literatura hispana en FESTIBA Programa de Español sostendrá presentaciones y paneles

en el salón ELABS 185 en el campus explicar un país como este si no de Edinburg. están también dentro los hispanos”, Este panel estará conformado por ella dijo. tres presentaciones. Horas después, a las 7 p.m. en el La primera será “Cultura y literatura Student Union Theater en Edinburg, hispánica en la Guinea Ecuatorial”, se presentará la obra de teatro la cual será conducida por Carmela “Soldado razo” de Luis Valdez, la cual Gracia, asesora y profesora de español será dirigida por Ochoa y actuada en el Departamento de Literatura y por los estudiantes graduados del Estudios Culturales. Programa de Español Lizetty Medina, Al finalizar esta, Mendiola presentará Aristeo Tovar, Leticia Chapa, Evelyn “Mujeres educadoras en el ‘México Morín, Fernando Salinas, Yokebed de afuera’”. Valdez, Karla Leal, Ricardo Díaz y Ana Por último, se presentará “Zoot María Pérez Gabriel. Suit de Luis Valdez: ‘El teatro como “Soldado razo” es una obra de teatro factor de cambio’”, donde Ochoa sobre la Guerra de Vietnam y sus intervendrá y hablará sobre como consecuencias en la vida de jóvenes Valdez utilizó el teatro campesino soldados rasos. para que estos siguieran luchando por El viernes de 4 a 8:50 p.m. en sus derechos durante la época el salón ELABS 351, habrá cuatro Foto Cortesía Ricardo Díaz del activista mexicanoamericano paneles de escritura creativa con la Los estudiantes graduados del Programa de Español de UTRGV actuan durante la obra de derechos civiles, Cesar Chávez. participación de más de 20 escritores “Soldado razo” de Luis Valdez el año pasado en el Student Union Theater en Edinburg. En una entrevista telefónica con de México y Texas. The Rider, Ochoa, quien también está Entre los ponentes estarán Eric Montoya de español, Dolores Mendiola, y a cargo del Comité de Reclutamiento Mendiola, Ochoa, Juan Antonio EDITOR DE ESPAÑOL sus estudiantes. y Eventos en Español, dijo que el González, escritor y profesor titular En el mismo día, de 3:05 a 4:20 propósito de las presentaciones en de la cátedra de español en Texas El Programa de Español de p.m. en ELABS 177 en el campus español es traer más eventos en este Southmost College, Gabriel González UTRGV, por medio del Comité de Edinburg, el “Panel de escritura idioma en los Estados Unidos. Núñez, profesor de español de de Reclutamiento y Eventos, ha creativa en español de la facultad” “Estamos en este departamento UTRGV, Stella Cruz, una profesora organizado varios eventos en español (“Creative writing faculty panel y además es nuestra tarea”, dijo de Houston, y muchos varios más. que tomarán lugar a lo largo de in Spanish”) tomará lugar con la ella. “Pero sobre todo para difundir La entrada a los eventos es gratuita y la semana como parte del intervención de los profesores también la cultura y para seguir se invita a toda la comunidad a asistir. Festival de Libros y Artes del Programa de Español de UTRGV también desarrollándola acá porque “Vamos a hacer un encuentro Internacionales (FESTIBA, por sus Edna Ochoa, Elvia Ardalani, Peter los Hispanos tienen mucha inherencia muy grande … para la comunidad”, siglas en inglés). Browne y Mendiola. en la cultura … en la política y también dijo Ochoa. “[Los eventos son] para De 1:40 a 2:55 p.m. el miércoles, El “Panel de español: literatura, en lo económico”. seguir difundiendo nuestras raíces, la presentación “La importancia educación y teatro” también será uno Ochoa dijo que el trabajo de los nuestra creatividad, nuestra forma del español médico del Valle del de los eventos en español de FESTIBA. Hispanos ha permitido el desarrollo de de ser y también que la gente Río Grande” será llevada a cabo Dicho panel empezará a la 1:40 p.m. los Estados Unidos. participe y seguir haciendo lazos de con la participación de la profesora y finalizará a las 2:55 p.m. el jueves “No se puede ahorita, en esta época, amistad y lazos creativos”. February 25, 2019 6 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE RIDER Scribbles & Thoughts

By Laia Vite

Sergio Garcia/The Rider “War and Peace on the Rio Grande: 1846-1876” is on exhibit in the UTRGV Visitors Center on the Edinburg campus as part of FESTIBA. The traveling exhibit was put together by the UTRGV Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS) program, in conjunction with students from the courses “The Civil War in the Rio Grande Valley” and “Museums and Heritage Tourism,” according to a University Marketing and Communications news release. The exhibit is open to the public and will continue through June 19.

FESTIBA The exhibit aims to Also on Thursday, a Continued from Page 1 showcase the wide array presentation and exhibit tour of accomplishments these of “The Magic of Mariachi- Activities continue with women completed to the La Magia del Mariachi” will the “Rock ‘N’ Roll’s Influence campus community as a take place on the third floor on Popular Culture” taking whole. of the UTRGV Library on the place at 10 a.m. today “[Not] just as far as in art, but Edinburg campus. in University Library also in creating opportunities #Subculture will also be Instructional Classroom 1.118 for other women and opening taking place as a part of and again at 10 a.m. Friday. doors,” Ballinger said. “So this FESTIBA. The presentation by is what this exhibit is doing, It will be from 6 to 9 p.m. John Ferris, a research and giving them a voice through Friday at the Edinburg instruction librarian, will words, their own little art.” City Grounds. Similar examine the music of the last Otvos, Ballinger and to the #Subculture event 50 or 60 years and how music Hinovations Art Gallery that took place in and the course of culture has Director Raquel Hinojosa November, this event will changed along with it up to will speak at the opening have interactive workshops the present day. reception. centered on art, music and “100 Women, 100 Words,” Special Collections Manager innovation. an exhibition from the South Milagro Resendez encourages “#Subculture is a free Texas College and Library students to attend the opening community event in which Art Gallery honoring South in order to gain inspiration students and local artists Texas women from various from both the community come together to showcase backgrounds, will open at 6:30 leaders being featured and their work and develop p.m. Wednesday an interactive in University environment Library Special FESTIBA 2019 through artistic Collections workshops,” said Room 2.202 on For the full schedule Maria Garza the Brownsville Estrada, UTRGV campus. The of all FESTIBA events, Marketing and show is composed visit utrgv.edu/festiba. Communications of several 6-by- assistant. 6-inch canvases Some of paired with a written piece. their art. these workshops include “We gave each of [the “The students [would be] printmaking, engineering, participants] a little mini more involved in culture and computer science, drumming, canvas,” said Gina Otvos, an [would] be more inspired virtual reality and selfie Art Gallery associate. “They [when introduced] to these culture. could do whatever they women because they’re “So, we have five different wanted--a painting, a collage, professionals, they’re workshops, they’re basically [or] a photograph. Next to it educators, they’re artists,” the same workshops that is a panel with their name and Resendez said. “They’re so we had in November,” title and then a hundred words, many things, like, if they have Estrada said. “We have either a hundred random goals, this could definitely be those workshops, we have words or their bio in a hundred something that could motivate games, we have music, [and] words, a poem-- anything.” and educate them.” we invite other UTRGV Some of the women The exhibit will remain on departments to join us chosen include local display until May 10. like recruitment, Graduate community leaders, activists, “We’re trying to invite the College and the Chess Team small business owners and community, the students, the last year.” mothers. staff, the faculty to come and The program provides a “My idea is that there are so join us for this event and be able hands-on experience, while many women that we have in to share this beautiful exhibit also including technological the community … that really that is really a motivation aspects. are unsung heroes,” STC and encouragement and “They’re going to be able to Assistant Professor Patricia educational to all of us,” she learn about technology and Ballinger said. “[They] have said. robotics and printmaking and done a great deal to make our On Thursday, ENGL 3351 virtual reality, so I’m sure community rich in so many undergraduate students will they’re going to have a great ways [by] caring for people, present their creative works time,” she said. “It’s a time for for their ideas, for their in progress at 9:25 a.m. in them to have fun, to interact creativity, for just overcoming Liberal Arts Building South with other students and the obstacles, creating things.” 181 on the Edinburg campus. community as a whole.” February 25, 2019 THE RIDER SPORTS 7 This week’s home game HUSKIES COLLARED schedule Men’s Tennis ●1:30 p.m. Thursday vs. Laredo Community College at Orville I. Cox Tennis Center Women’s Tennis ●11 p.m. Saturday vs. Uni- versity of Houston at Or- ville I. Cox Tennis Center Women’s Basketball ●7 p.m. Thursday vs. Chi- cago State University at UTRGV Fieldhouse ●7 p.m. Saturday vs. Uni- versity of Missouri-Kansas City at UTRGV Fieldhouse Baseball (All at UTRGV Baseball Stadium) ●Four-game series vs. University of Rhode Is- Mariana Gomez/The Rider land 7 p.m. Friday, noon First baseman Jacob Flores attempts to tag out infielder Cal Clark of Houston Baptist University during last Tuesday’s game against the Huskies in the UTRGV Baseball Stadium in Edinburg. UTRGV shut out Houston Baptist 6-0. The Vaqueros participated in the Al Ogletree Classic last weekend Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday and now prepare to face Rhode Island in a four-game series starting at 7 p.m. Friday at home. and noon Sunday Don’t call it a comeback Ramiro Barrera Durant ended with 10 of 15 shots to the over Team LeBron. Team Giannis finished the first and Robert basket, including six of nine triples and five of half with a gap of 13 points, ending with a score five free-throws, leading a list of 10 players, of 95-82. Benavidez Jr. together with the five starters, who made Team Giannis went on to extend the lead to 15 THE RIDER double-digit points. points with six minutes left in the third quarter. Then, Durant’s teammate, guard Klay Thompson heated all at once, everything began to fall apart as Team Golden State up in the second half and was the second-highest LeBron caught fire from the 3-point line. Everyone Warriors forward scorer with 20 points and six rebounds on Team was hitting and with three minutes left in the quarter, Kevin Durant led with LeBron, which has won two editions that have been it became Dame Time. Damian Lillard hit not one, 31 points and seven played under the new selection format made by two but two back-to-back triples from the logo to tie the rebounds in Team captains. game. Team LeBron just pulled a comeback. LeBron’s 178-164 Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James KD then put Team LeBron ahead at 132-131 and victory against Team finished the game with 19 points, as did Toronto wound up finishing as the scoring leader for Team Giannis in the NBA All- Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard. LeBron. Soon after KD put them ahead, Team LeBron Star Game held Feb. 17 in Charlotte, N.C. Meanwhile, the Greek Freak Giannis extended its lead, making a Team Giannis comeback The 68th edition of the NBA All-Star Game was Antetokounmpo led his team with a double-double of improbable. played at the Spectrum Center with 19,000 spectators. 38 points and 11 rebounds as he ran down the floor The NBA All-Star Game turned into a 3-point I mean, who was going to miss Dwyane Wade’s last and threw down dunks as if there were no tomorrow. contest as both teams combined to establish a new All-Star game? Team Giannis led the first half with a lead of 53-37 record of triples. Sports Club Spotlight Name: Rider Esports President: Robert Treviño Vice President of Events: Gabriela Valdez Vice President of Competitions: Samuel Gutierrez Treasurer: Arturo Martinez Adviser: Jennifer McGehee-Valdez, UTRGV director of Public Relations Game Managers: “League of Legends”: Jesus Montemayor “Dragon Ball FighterZ” and “Street Fighter V”: Marco Ortiz Jr. “Tekken 7”: Ethan Cabote “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate”: Alejandro Hernandez “Hearthstone”: Irving Guerrero “Rainbow Six Siege”: Brittany Averack Established: Fall 2014 What is the main purpose of the club? “Our main purpose of the club is to bring everyone around this community and in the college together to play video games, ’cause the stress of classes come up and just daily life comes up. Video games is something that we can come together and play together. We don’t have to be worried about, like, “Oh, no, grades are right there or test is here in two weeks!” It’s something we can all just sit down, relax and enjoy as friends.” Highest level of competition: State tournaments against other university clubs COURTESY PHOTO Season: Year-round The Rider Esports’ “Super Smash Bros.” Ultimate Club’s top five members are (from left) Meetings: 6 to 7 p.m. Fridays in UREC Marco Gonzalez, Jose Cabrera, Rogelio De Los Santos, Jose Silva and Oscar Delgado. Requirements: None Facebook: Rider Esports Want your sports club featured? Email us at Twitter: @RiderEsports Instagram: rideresportsrgv [email protected] or call us at 882-5143 --Compiled by Ramiro Barrera in Brownsville and 665-2541 in Edinburg. February 25, 2019 8 THE RIDER