Halloween Issue

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 WWW.UTRGVRIDER.COM VOL. 6 ISSUE 10 /UTRGVRIDER @UTRGV_THERIDER

THE STUDENT VOICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY

HALLOWEEN ISSUE October 26, 2020 2 ON CAMPUS THE RIDER ANNOUNCEMENTS Today Wednesday AMSA Halloween Party Day of the Dead: Day of the Dead Trivia Students can join the American Ofrendas Students can test their Day of the Dead Medical Student Association The Rider is the official, The UTRGV knowledge and learn more about the as it examines some of the award-winning student news- Library will host traditional holiday in a trivia game hosted spookiest medical cases in history. A Luncho Libre Day by the UTRGV Library from noon to 1 costume contest will also take place from 6 paper of the University of Texas of the Dead: Ofrendas p.m. via Zoom. Trivia questions will include to 7 p.m. via Zoom. RSVP is Rio Grande Valley. A PDF copy for students to learn about altars and topics such as flowers, origination, available through VLink. of the newspaper can be accessed discuss popular topics. The event festivities, and foods associated Halloween Escape Room online at utrgvrider.com. Views will take place from noon to 12:45 p.m. via with Day of the Dead. RSVP is available The Campus Activities Board Zoom. RSVP is available through VLink. through VLink. will host a spooky virtual escape presented are those of the writ- Tuesday Magic Night room from 9 to 10 p.m. via Zoom. ers and do not reflect those of Meet the Deans The Campus Activities Board will host The event is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The first 50 the newspaper or university. Students can meet with their respective a virtual show by magician Brian Miller deans to ask any questions, voice at 6 p.m. RSVP is available through VLink. students to RSVP will get a chance to concerns or share ideas about their Thursday participate. RSVP is available through VLink. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF degree, programs and internship E.P.I.C. Halloween Night Day of the Dead Lotería! Jacqueline Peraza opportunities from 12:15 to 1:30 Students can join the Engaging Students can play Lotería and ONLINE EDITOR p.m. and at the same time Thursday. Peer in College (E.P.I.C.) mentoring Estefania Hernandez programs for a Halloween night win prizes from noon to 1 p.m. The event will be hosted by the via Zoom. The event is hosted by SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR featuring a costume contest, trivia UTRGV Student Government the UTRGV Library. RSVP is Danielle Perez Association, and students will have games and more from 4 to 5 p.m. via Zoom. RSVP is available through available through VLink. COPY EDITORS the chance to win door prizes. RSVP Friday is available through VLink. VLink. Arisbeth Rodriguez Netflix Watch Party: ‘Eerie’ Crafting Paper Flowers Día de los Muertos Face Off Avery Arizola The First Year Experience program The UTRGV Leadership and CARTOONIST In celebration of Day of the Dead, Mentoring office will host a Netflix the UTRGV Library will host and the Center for Diversity Elizabeth Mendoza & Inclusion and DREAM Resource Watch Party in observance of Filipino Luncho Libre Day of the Dead: American History Month. The movie SPORTS REPORTERS Crafting Paper Flowers at noon. Center team invite students to a Karina Rodriguez face-off contest in which they will “Eerie” will be shown at 7 p.m. RSVP Students will need to bring tissue paper, is available through VLink. The first 30 Ivan Palacios put on their Día de los Muertos gift wrap or colored paper, string makeup live and on camera for a chance students to RSVP will receive a movie SPANISH REPORTER and scissors. RSVP is available through to win some prizes. Three finalists snack pack. Paulina Longoria VLink. will receive swag from the DREAM -Compiled by Brigitte Ortiz REPORTERS and FYE departments. Sol Garcia Omar E. Zapata Brigitte Ortiz POLICE REPORTS Alejandra Yañez Fernanda Figueroa The following are among the incidents reported to University Police between Oct. 12 and 18. PHOTOGRAPHERS Oct. 13 Oct. 14 Oct. 15 12:44 a.m.: A staff 1:36 p.m.: A staff member reported 2:06 p.m.: An officer responded to Aaliyah Garza member reported graffiti in the men’s restroom on the first Lot B-11 on the Brownsville campus Jacqueline Wallace losing his university- floor of the library on the Brownville in reference to a two-vehicle accident Roxanna Miranda issued key Oct. 9 in the campus. The markings were done in red involving a university-owned vehicle. ADVERTISING SALES Engineering Building marker and Facilities had already been A staff member driving the university REPRESENTATIVES on the Edinburg called to remove it. The case is under vehicle reported striking an unattended Monica Llanas campus. A report investigation. vehicle while reversing. Both vehicles Dorilee Saycocie was generated for 2:22 p.m.: An officer responded to sustained minor damage and no documentation purposes. the Financial Services Building on the injuries were reported. 3:46 p.m.: A Facilities employee Edinburg campus in reference to an 5:03 p.m.: A staff member reported FACULTY ADVISER reported being involved in a minor active fire alarm. Upon arrival, the losing her university-issued keys on Michell Godinez accident while driving a university- officer was advised that a custodian had Oct. 14. A report was generated for STUDENT MEDIA DIRECTOR owned utility vehicle on the Edinburg accidentally activated the alarm while documentation purposes. campus. The windshield broke after the cleaning. The Edinburg Fire Department --Compiled by Fernanda Figueroa Azenett Cornejo vehicle struck a tree near the Academic arrived at the location and cleared the STUDENT MEDIA PROGRAM Services Building. No injury was building for reentry. ADVISER reported. Jesus Sanchez ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS Ana Sanchez Maggie Castillo Honoring the dead virtually Paulina Longoria CONTACT: the Rider EDINBURG CAMPUS UTRGV students can celebrate the Day 1201 West University Dr. of the Dead throughout the week with ELABS 170 Lotería and trivia games, and hands-on Phone: (956) 665-2541 activities. Fax: (956) 665-7122 From noon to 12:45 p.m. today through BROWNSVILLE CAMPUS Thursday, the University Library will host 1 West University Blvd. its 33rd annual Day of the Dead celebra- Student Union 2.16 tion with the Luncho Libre Series. Phone: (956) 882-5143 Shannon Pensa, the head of Special Fax: (956) 882-5176 Collections and Archives for the Univer- Email: [email protected] sity Library, said Luncho Libre “is a series © 2020 The Rider that the University Library launched in the month of October as a way to engage students in virtual lunch dates to just talk about whatever pre-planned topic.” MORE THAN A The events are as follows: --today: Day of the Dead: Ofrendas, a NEWSPAPER brief presentation on the significance of ofrendas and students’ traditions in their Rider File Photo Delivering news to UTRGV no home, such as creating altars The UTRGV Department of Sociology set up an altar for Día de los Muertos last year in honor --Tuesday: Crafting Paper Flowers, which of migrants who died while crossing the Rio Grande border and the El Paso shooting victims. matter the circumstances. are the Mexican or Aztec marigolds used on altars hope to engage with students,” Pensa said. at 5:40 p.m. --Wednesday: Trivia with topics associat- “I know not everyone likes to use their Natasha Gonzalez is an English junior ed with the celebration video and microphone features in Zoom, and guru for First Year Experience at --Thursday: Day of the Dead Lotería. but we hope that they’ll turn cameras on, UTRGV. A guru helps freshmen and soph- Pensa said each session will have two at the very least microphones on so we can omores transition to university life. hosts and prizes such as UTRGV Library have a little discussion.” She said FYE is collaborating with the swag. Each winner of Lotería will earn a From 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday, the center because they like its mission to prize. First Year Experience program and the make everyone feel included and build the Students will receive an email confir- Center for Inclusion and Diversity and the university community together. mation on how to log in to the session and DREAM Resource Center are hosting the “We’re gonna ask our participants to a Lotería card to use for the game, which Día de los Muertos Face Off 40-minute turn on their cameras so that we can inter- can be printed at home or used on Mic- contest via Zoom where students can do act with them and it’s just gonna be like a rosoft Paint. Registration for this event is their own sugar skull makeup. fun little makeup competition,” Gonzalez limited to 30 participants due to the num- The event’s VLink states participants said. “We’re basing it on Día de los Muer- ber of cards that will be sent out. should log in no later than 5:30 p.m. as “Since it is a virtual event, we really do the 40-minute countdown starts promptly See DAY, Page 7 October 26, 2020 THE RIDER HALLOWEEN 3 A safer spooky season Professor provides tips for celebrating Halloween Sol Garcia household the Rider --an in-house scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search. With COVID-19 and Hidalgo and If students celebrate with neighbors Cameron counties’ ban on certain tra- or other people who are not part of their ditional Halloween activities, such as household, they should continue to fol- trick-or-treating and haunted houses, low basic safety precautions, such as celebrating the spooky season looks wearing a facial covering, washing their different this year. hands, keeping a safe distance and lim- Tania Garcia, a mass communica- iting the group size, Campo Maldonado tion senior, said she usually celebrates said. Halloween with friends from outside “There are restrictions, sometimes by the Rio Grande Valley, but this October county, of how many people can be to- that is not an option. gether for an activity,” he said. “I would “[My friends] would normally either advise people to make sure that they come down or [I] would go out there know that for your county, but numbers and visit, just pretty much go out and that have been used to be reasonable, have fun, and go to parties and dress for example, [are] 10 people because it’s up,” Garcia said. “This year, because of easier to control the distance [between COVID, we’re not traveling.” each other].” While she may not be able to see her Many people may believe if they test long-distance friends, Garcia will still negative for COVID-19 before meeting celebrate Halloween with her immedi- up with others, they are safe from the ate family. virus, creating a false sense of security She and her family will perhaps have Aaliyah Garza/The Rider Graphic since they could be infected after the a small cake, an array of candies and test and then transmit it to others, Cam- surveillance for the UTRGV School of theme, should necessarily stop,” Campo dress up within their household, “so po Maldonado said. Medicine, advises students who will Maldonado said. “There are some safe that we can have fun with each other,” “You think that it’s safe,” he said. celebrate Halloween with others to activities that can be done at home.” Garcia said. “You think that you don’t need a mask, hang out outside and avoid crowded Low-risk and safe activities include They will ensure they stay safe by you think that you don’t need to wash spaces, such as parties. carving pumpkins with your family or wearing facial coverings, having hand your hands, you think that it’s fine to “You need to be aware that if you’re viewing decorations with your family sanitizer readily available and other not keep your distance.” in a closed environment, especially in a and neighbors, he said. regular precautions, she added. Alonso Gonzalez, a computer engi- place where people are crowded, [you] “Those types of activities can be help- Garcia said she has always looked neering sophomore, said he does not will be more [at] risk of virus transmis- ful [and] are not as risky as picking up forward to Halloween, but now it is typically celebrate Halloween and he sion as compared [to] doing something candies at someone else’s home, where more important than ever to celebrate does not plan to do so this year, either. outdoors,” Campo Maldonado said. you don’t know if … dividers are in it, not only because of the pandemic, He does not believe his friends will, ei- While COVID-19 is still prevalent, place,” Campo Maldonado said, refer- but also because of mental health issues ther, because of COVID-19. that does not mean the community ring to trick-or-treating, which local that can arise from consistently staying “It’s not a good idea to be … hanging should stop celebrating Halloween. counties have banned. home. out with people,” he said. However, community members should He recommends students visit the “Because of everything happening, For those who will, however, Gonzalez engage in low-risk activities instead of Centers for Disease Control and Preven- it’s most important now to be able to said he advises them to follow healthy high risk, he said. tion’s website to learn about more low- have fun, or at least pretend for one day guidelines and act responsibly because “I don’t think that the fact that risk Halloween activities. that everything is at least somewhat of the pandemic’s negative impact. COVID-19 is going around means that CDC recommendations include: OK,” she said. “This pandemic is hurting a lot of peo- all type[s] of celebrations or activi- --a virtual Halloween costume contest Jose Campo Maldonado, an assis- ple and we need to do our best to stop ties around this theme, the Halloween --a Halloween movie night with your tant professor and director of infection it,” he said. Halloween: From Ireland to America Fernanda Figueroa and the druids (Celtic priests) The Rider believed that the weakened boundary allowed for them to “First of all, I want to make it make predictions about their clear that Halloween has noth- futures. ing to do with Dia de los Muer- “Supposedly, the druids, tos,” said Anthony Knopp, an which were the priests of the emeritus history professor at Celts, could make predictions,” UTRGV. Knopp said. “They would make Halloween is celebrated Oct. predictions based upon what 31 and is known for trick-or- the dead told them. They’d treating, candy, costumes, have big bonfires and they haunted houses and jack-o’- would wear costumes and tell lanterns but its origins are a each other fortunes.” bit different. According to History.com, The tradition originated the costumes the druids would about 2,000 years ago from wear consisted of animal heads the Celtic festival Samhain and skins. (som-in), celebrated on Oct. During 43 A.D., Roman tra- 31, in which the Celts, from ditions were merged with the what is Celtic tra- now Ire- ditions. land, One of the would light Halloween has now become Roman bonfires the country’s second largest traditions and wear commercial holiday, with involved costumes, honoring according Americans spendings about the goddess to History. $6 billion a year, according Aaliyah Garza/The Rider Graphic Pomona, com. to History.com. whose sym- Saints’ Day or Allhallows. The told each other stories and for- tually became the trick-or- “Hallow- bol is the night before the celebration tunes, and they influenced cel- treat thing,” Knopp said. “Par- een had its apple. This was called Allhallows Eve and, ebrations and made Halloween ents wanted [Halloween] to be origins in a incorporation evolved into to- eventually, Halloween. more popular. more kid friendly so Hallow- Celtic festival that marked the day’s Halloween tradition of “Souls’ Day was celebrated The idea of trick-or-treating een lost much of its supersti- end of summer and the begin- bobbing for apples, according kind of like [the] Samhain festi- was borrowed from Europe- tious and religious overtones.” ning of winter,” Knopp said. to History.com. val with the Celts,” Knopp said. an traditions, and by the 20th By the 1950s, “Halloween “This was the cutoff to the new By the 9th century, the Cath- “People dressed up as saints, century, Halloween parties be- was simply a kids’ event, where year, where the boundary of olic’s church influence was angels or devils and bonfires came popular and the holiday people go trick-or-treating and the worlds of living and the noticeable. Nov. 2 was made and parades [were had].” became more kid-oriented. get candy,” Knopp said. dead became blurred. It was All Souls’ Day to honor the Halloween came to Ameri- “Americans began dress- Halloween has become the believed that the ghosts of the dead and was celebrated sim- ca during the colonial period. ing up in costumes and going country’s second-largest com- dead could return to the Earth ilar to the Samhain festival. During this time, public events house to house asking for food mercial holiday, with Ameri- at this time.” The celebration was called All were held in which Americans or money, a practice that even- Additionally, the Celts See HISTORY, Page 8 October 26, 2020 4 OPINION THE RIDER

Understanding grief Avery am going to experience more it, I learned that supporting Arizola loss and be more equipped to someone that is grieving is the rider cope with it.” about simply being there. Fortunately, my dog It is important to listen when I have been recovered. you are helping someone who fortunate However, tragedy did not is grieving. Ask them how they enough to not stop. Within weeks, I was feel, validate their emotions have endured supporting loved ones through and express your love and the loss of a their losses, and I struggled to care. loved one in offer proper support. Hold their hand along the my life. Apart from listening and way, but also understand Yes, I have lost friends, offering my condolences, I felt that it is not your journey. opportunities, possessions, but there was a wall that is usually Offer support, but know that I have yet to feel the sharp knife absent when I speak to my everyone grieves differently of grief. I do not understand loved ones. and there is no right way to the pain that comes with death. I could not say, “I know grieve. Last month, I almost lost my what you’re going through,” Even though I have learned 13-year-old dog to liver disease. because I do not. I will never about grief, nothing will It was traumatizing to watch understand grief and mourning prepare me for when it comes. the dog that I have had since I until I experience it myself. I will find comfort in that fact was 8 almost lose her life. In my quest to understand that I know that I will heal The whole time I thought to what grief is and how I could through a painful tug-of-war myself, “This is growing up. help people suffering through of letting go and holding on. From this moment onward, I

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Opinions expressed in The Rider are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Rider or UTRGV administrators. 26 de octubre de 2020 THE RIDER NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL 5 Una temporada espeluznante más segura Profesor proporciona consejos para celebrar Halloween Sol Garcia cinos, él dijo. “Ese tipo de actividades The Rider pueden beneficiar [y] no son Este año será difícil celebrar tan riesgosas como ir a pedir la temporada espeluznante dulces a la casa de alguien con el COVID-19 y la pro- más, donde no se sabe si … se hibición de ciertas actividades mantiene el distanciamiento de Halloween tradicionales entre las personas”, Campo en los condados de Hidalgo y Maldonado dijo, refiriéndose Cameron, como truco o trato o a truco o trato, lo que los con- visitar casas embrujadas. dados locales han prohibido. Tania García, una estudi- Él recomienda que los es- ante de comunicación en ma- tudiantes visiten el sitio web sas de último año, dijo que ella del Centro para el Control y la usualmente celebra Hallow- Prevención de Enfermedades een con sus amigos que viven para aprender más sobre las fuera del Valle del Río Grande, actividades de Halloween de pero que eso ya no es una op- bajo riesgo. Las recomenda- ción este octubre. ciones de CDC incluyen: “[Mis amigos] normal- --un concurso de disfraces de mente, ya sea, venían al Valle Halloween virtual o iba a visitarlos, básicamente --noche de películas de Hal- para salir y divertirnos, e ir a loween en su hogar fiestas y disfrazarnos”, García --búsqueda del tesoro en su dijo. “Este año, por el COVID, casa con un estilo de caza y no viajaremos”. búsqueda de truco o trato Aunque ella no puede ver a Si los estudiantes celebran sus amigos de larga distancia, con sus vecinos u otras per- García comoquiera celebrará sonas que no son parte de su Halloween con su familia cer- hogar, deberían continuar cana. Roxanna Miranda/ Gráphica de The Rider siguiendo las precauciones de Ella y su familia probable- do, ahora es más importante el hacer] algo al aire libre”, Cam- que la comunidad no celebre seguridad básicas, como usar mente comerán pastel, una poder divertirnos, o al menos po Maldonado dijo. Halloween. Sin embargo, los protección facial, lavarse las variedad de dulces y se ve- fingir por un día que todo miembros de la comunidad manos, mantener distancia stirán en sus casas, “para pod- está bien”, ella dijo. deberían participar en activ- segura y limitar el tamaño er divertirnos juntos”, García [Tania] García dijo que José Campo Maldona- idades de bajo riesgo en vez del grupo, Campo Maldonado dijo. do, un profesor y director de alto riesgo, él dijo. dijo. Se asegurarán de manten- siempre espera celebrar de vigilancia de infecciones “No creo que el hecho de “Hay restricciones, a vec- erse seguros usando protec- de la Facultad de Medicina que el COVID-19 aún esté es por condados, de cuánta ción facial, teniendo desin- Halloween, pero ahora de UTRGV, aconseja a los activo signifique que todos gente puede juntarse para fectante de manos listo para estudiantes que celebrarán los tipos de celebraciones cierta actividad”, él dijo. “Les usar y otras precauciones reg- es más importante que Halloween con más perso- o actividades en respecto a aconsejaría a las personas ulares, ella añadió. nas a salir y evitar lugares este tema, al tema de Hal- asegurarse de que sepan esa García dijo que siempre es- nunca el poder celebrarlo, muy concurridos, como las loween, necesariamente información de su condado, pera celebrar Halloween, pero fiestas. vayan a terminar”, Campo pero los números razonables, ahora es más importante que no solo por la pandemia, “Tienen que estar consci- Maldonado dijo. “Hay unas por ejemplo, [son] 10 perso- nunca el poder celebrarlo, no entes de que si están en un sino también por los prob- actividades seguras que nas porque así es más fácil de solo por la pandemia, sino entorno cerrado, especial- pueden realizarse en casa”. controlar la distancia [entre también por los problemas de mente en un espacio donde lemas de salud mental ... Actividades seguras y de ellos]”. salud mental que pueden in- haya mucha gente, [tendrán] bajo riesgo incluyen tallar Mucha gente puede pen- crementar por quedarse con- mayor riesgo de la transmisión Aunque el COVID-19 sea calabazas con sus familias o ver sar que si salen negativo a la stantemente en casa. del virus a comparación de [al predominante, eso no significa decoraciones con familia y ve- Vea HALLOWEEN, Página 8 “Por todo lo que está pasan- Honrando a los muertos virtualmente Paulina Longoria de los estudiantes en sus casas, The Rider como el crear altares --martes: Hacer Flores de Pa- Los estudiantes de UTRGV pel, las cuales son las flores pueden celebrar el Día de mexicanas o aztecas de cem- los Muertos esta semana con pasúchil usadas en los altares juegos de lotería y trivia y ac- --miércoles: Trivia del Día de tividades manuales. los Muertos con temas relacio- Del mediodía a las 12:45 nados a la celebración p.m. hoy hasta el jueves, la --jueves: Lotería del Día de los Biblioteca de UTRGV llevará a Muertos cabo su 33ª celebración anual Pensa dijo que habrá dos del Día de los Muertos con su organizadores por sesión y Serie de Luncho Libre. premios como un botín de la Shannon Pensa, la encarga- Biblioteca de UTRGV. Cada ga- da de las Colecciones Especia- nador de la lotería recibirá un les y Archivos de la Biblioteca premio. de UTRGV, Los estudi- dijo que Lun- antes recibirán cho Libre es un correo de una serie que “Ya que es un confirmación so- la biblioteca “ bre cómo entrar “empezó el evento virtual, de a cada sesión mes de oc- y una carta de tubre como verdad esperamos lotería para usar una mane- durante el juego, Foto de Cortesía ra de que los poder convivir con la cual puede ser La Organización de Estudiantes Internacionales de UTRGV presenta una danza típica durante el Baile del Día de estudiantes impresa en sus los Muertos pasado en el Gran Salón de PlainsCapital Bank en el campus de Brownsville. Este año habrá eventos participen en los estudiantes.” casas o usada en virtuales para que los estudiantes participen, como el Día de los Muertos Cara a Cara, DIY Día de los Muertos y la reuniones de Microsoft Paint. serie Luncho Libre: Día de los Muertos. comida vir- --Shannon“ Pensa Hay un límite de de cámara ni de micrófono en tos del Día de los Muertos Cara tudiante de literatura de terc- tuales para Encargada de las Colecciones 30 participantes Zoom, pero esperamos que a Cara por Zoom donde los er año y gurú de Experiencia hablar de cual- Especiales y Archivos de la Biblioteca para registrarse los estudiantes prendan sus estudiantes podrán hacer su de Primer Año en UTRGV. Un quier tema de UTRGV a este evento por cámaras o al menos sus micró- propio maquillaje de las calav- gurú ayuda a los estudiantes planeado de la cantidad de fonos para que podamos inter- eras de azúcar. de primer y segundo año a antemano”. cartas que se en- actuar”. El VLink del evento indica acostumbrarse a la vida uni- Los eventos son los siguien- viarán. De 5:30 a 6:45 p.m. el jueves, que los participantes deben versitaria. tes: “Ya que es un evento virtu- el programa Experiencia de entrar no más tardar a las 5:30 Ella dijo que FYE (por sus --hoy: Día de Muertos: Ofren- al, de verdad esperamos poder Primer Año y el Centro de In- p.m. porque la cuenta regresiva siglas en inglés) está colabo- das, una presentación corta convivir con los estudiantes”, clusión y Diversidad y el Centro de 40 minutos empieza sin de- rando con el centro porque les acerca de la importancia de Pensa dijo. “Sé que no a to- de Recursos DREAM llevarán a mora a las 5:40 p.m. las ofrendas y las tradiciones dos les gusta usar las opciones cabo el concurso de 40 minu- Natasha González es una es- Vea DÍA, Página 5 October 26, 2020 6 SPORTS THE RIDER UTRGV athletes and staff embrace fears Ivan Palacios that.” anthem. I have actually had The Rider Valeria Montero, a redshirt nightmares about the national Everyone has something freshman on the UTRGV anthem not playing or me playing they are afraid of. Whether it is Women’s Tennis Team, had a the wrong national anthem.” spiders, or snakes or the dark, similar frightening experience. She also recalls some of her we all have fears. For student “We were going to UTSA to play biggest fears during a meet from athletes and those involved with against a couple of San Antonio when she was a hurdler at legacy UTRGV Athletics, their fears are schools, and 15 minutes before institution University of Texas- a little different than most. my match, we had just finished Pan American. Andres Cortez, a redshirt getting lunch and were on the “I ran the hurdles so there is freshman on the UTRGV Men’s court warming up,” Montero said. always a chance you were going to Golf Team, has been playing golf “I pulled out my tennis bag and fall,” Hernandez said. “That was since he was 3 years old. While the slot for my tennis shoes was really scary. It happens, but it’s not many things scare Cortez on empty. I told my coach, ‘Wes, I also really embarrassing if it does. the golf course, he has had his fair messed up. I don’t got shoes.’ So I think literally falling was one share of frightening experiences. So we had to haul so fast to the of the fears. But this is probably “My last high school nearest store and grab any shoe a recurring one, that people tournament actually was at that would work.” probably don’t share as much, state,” Cortez said. “We took the Like Cortez, her biggest fear and that’s really having to go to long drive up there. We were does not come from physical the restroom when you’re about there a day before so we could objects, but rather from her own to run. That’s really scary because play a practice round, but when I mentality. you’re about to exert force. It’s showed up to the practice round “I feel like I have multiple ones kind of scary and I’m sure other I didn’t have my putter. I was [fears], but my biggest fear would sports experience the same thing, like, ‘No way. How do I not have definitely be losing focus and like you’re on the court and you my putter?’ My parents were just getting upset and tanking a really have to go to the restroom. match,” Montero said. “I don’t courageous enough to make the There is nothing you can do about want to waste a match like that.” drive all the way back and get it it. You just have to stick it out.” Even those behind the scenes Photo Courtesy UTRGV ATHLETICS before the day started.” For Senior Associate Athletic like Assistant Athletic Director Andres Cortez, redshirt freshman for the UTRGV Men’s Golf Team Although forgetting his putter Director for Communications for Marketing Sara Hernandez, was one of Cortez’s scariest Jonah Goldberg, his biggest fears back, with a player named Jawad I always play with a golf tee in moments on the golf course, have fears when it comes to game come when he is on the sidelines Williams,” Goldberg said. “He did my mouth, just sticking out of what he fears the most is showing day. Her fear is playing the wrong during games. come flying onto the table. It was a my mouth. If I don’t have any up to a match and not being national anthem or the anthem “My biggest fears are for two-tiered table, so there was a top of those things going on, then prepared mentally to play. not playing before a game. basketball, or volleyball or sports section and there was the actual something is wrong.” “Mainly, it’s, just, not being “The funniest one, because I where I’m really close to the table where our stuff was. He Montero also has her own mentally prepared going into have a recurring nightmare, like action, that a player will come landed on the table, on like the top lucky outfit and has to wear at the match,” Cortez said. “I mean, a literal nightmare at night, is flying onto the broadcast table,” area, but he didn’t roll over onto least one blue sock each game. you have X amount of weeks playing the national anthem,” Goldberg said. “They’ll knock over all of our stuff. But it was close.” Goldberg’s pre-broadcast to prepare for a tournament. Hernandez said. “That’s a the laptop and break it, not on While these fears are very real ritual consisted of him sharing a The main thing is just being very special moment because purpose of course, but they’ll fall for both athletes and those behind Twix bar with his co-anchor. mentally prepared, but whenever everybody is quiet and everybody onto the laptop and the equipment the scenes, some have their own He views fear as a learning you show up that morning and knows what to expect. Sometimes, and everything will break. I’ll lucky charms or rituals to ensure experience that shapes you into you don’t feel prepared it’s just some other times in the game, if get knocked off the air. I’ll lose things go well. who you are. like, ‘What am I doing here?’ we can’t play a specific song or a everything in my computer.” “I carry a certain amount of “Fear can be a really good Other than that, there’s always video, there is something else we He almost saw that fear become tees in one pocket, and I always thing,” Goldberg said. “It forces competition. There’s always a can do to kind of mask it, so that a reality while broadcasting for the carry two dimes and a quarter in you to adapt the way that you certain golf course. Like maybe people are still entertained. With Rio Grande Valley Vipers a few the other,” Cortez said. “It’s just work and it definitely did that for it’s ranked one of the hardest in the national anthem, you can’t do years ago. something I’ve always done since me.” the state. Just little things like anything else but play the national “I’ve had a close call once, when I was little. Oh, and another thing, I was with the Vipers a few years Athlete of the Week: Zane Kohrs Senior marketing major of like being with my friends and A: “Just in general, it would Zane Kohrs is a member of the doing something different. And be Kit Kat and then, I guess, the UTRGV Men’s Tennis Team. by different, I mean costumes Halloween special one [is], I would Kohrs began his collegiate and decorations and stuff like say, candy corn just because they athletic career in 2017-2018. He that. I guess, since you only are the classics.” plays in both singles and doubles get to celebrate once a year, Q: Who’s your favorite matches. During the 2018-2019 it’s important to do something Halloween monster? spring season, Kohrs went 11-7 in different than what you normally A: “I actually don’t really watch singles. do with your friends. So, I would Halloween movies. So, I’ll just Q: How do you like to celebrate say just being with friends or say Frankenstein because he’s Halloween? family.” different.” A: “I guess in college it Q: What is your favorite type of Q: Do you like to go to haunted certainly changed. [I] just kind candy and why? houses? Why or why not? A: “No, I hate haunted houses. I hate scary movies and I hate roller coasters. I guess I just don’t like being scared.” Photo Courtesy UTRGV Athletics Q: What has been your favorite Zane Kohrs practices at the Orville Cox Tennis Center on the Edinburg Halloween costume and why? campus Feb. 20. Kohrs and his friends dressed up as the Ninja Turtles his A: “I did one my freshman year. freshman year of high school, but his plans for this Halloween are still me and a few of my teammates undecided. Mere the Ninja Turtles. So, we A: “I’ll probably just do work on your three-pointer every were each a different one. That something with my girlfriend. I single day, but in your game, you was my favorite because, I guess, guess, since I don’t think we’re never get to do it, maybe because sometimes if you have the best allowed to go out, maybe we’ll you don’t get put in or the ball costume all the attention is on watch a scary movie for once, or doesn’t go to you, it’s not really as you. So, I don’t really necessarily I’m not sure.” rewarding. But, in tennis, when like that. But, since it was kind of Q: Do you find your sport to be you work on your shots every day, on all of us, it was kind of more rewarding? Why or why not? you go to your match and you get fun. Like, we kind of walked in as A: “I would say yes because you to use them. So, it’s even more Photo Courtesy UTRGV Athletics a group and that made it a little bit know when you put in hard work rewarding when you see that hard UTRGV tennis players Zahn Kohrs (left) and George Hutchings practice at the more enjoyable.” all the time, you can directly see work pays off.” Orville Cox Tennis Center on the Edinburg campus Feb. 26. Kohrs prefers to Q: How are you planning to the impact of it. … For instance, --Compiled by Karina spend Halloween with friends and family. celebrate Halloween this year? if you play basketball and you Rodriguez

DÍA ellos y tan sólo será una competencia película de “Coco” y otras canciones blemente no lo celebren tanto como es Continúa de Página 5 agradable y divertida de maquillaje”, mexicanas. celebrado en México”, ella dijo. “Sólo González dijo. “Estamos basándonos en González también dijo que propor- queremos hablar con las personas, o gusta la misión que tienen de hacer el Día de los Muertos, así que queremos cionarán información acerca de la cel- sea, escuchar sus experiencias y saber sentir a todos incluidos y el mantener que todos creen su propia versión de la ebración, y los estudiantes tendrán la lo que conocen acerca del Día de los unida a la comunidad universitaria. calavera de azúcar”. oportunidad de compartir sus propias Muertos”. “Les pediremos a nuestros par- Ella dijo que habrá música relaciona- experiencias. Los concursantes que queden en ticipantes que prendan sus cámaras da con la celebración al fondo durante “Siento que muchas personas aquí los primeros tres lugares recibirán un para que podamos interactuar con el evento como la banda sonora de la en el Valle [del Río Grande] … proba- Vea DÍA, Página 8 October 26, 2020 THE RIDER ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 7 Haunted tales: Read if you dare little figure and it was like a little girl in, Brigitte Ortiz like, the back of her, in one of the bath- The Rider rooms on the second floor. And, when In the spirit of Halloween, stu- she told us, we kind of all freaked out dents have shared their scariest on- because we were, like, ‘We’ve never and off-campus experiences with told you anything’ and there was no paranormal activity. reason for her to know about it, but Priscylla Guzman, a mass com- she had seen it. So, it just kind of made munication junior, said the scariest things a little more weird. If she saw it experience she had on campus was and we didn’t tell her anything about it, in Fall 2019 in the Albert L. Jeffers that means that there’s actually some- Theatre in Liberal Arts Building thing there.” South on the Edinburg campus. She said her other co-worker has also “It wasn’t raining or anything, felt the presence and heard giggles of lit- and the lights kept going off,” Guz- tle girls throughout the union. man said. “ I think they went off, Aileen Williams, an exercise science like, three or four times in, like, just sophomore, said the scariest thing she random periods of time, not, like, has experienced is sleep paralysis. consistent. It was just, like, it would “I took a nap in the afternoon with my go off and then, like, 20 minutes little girl; she was about 3 years old, I later, they would go off again. And, think,” Williams said. “I laid down with I don’t know, it was really weird be- her and I started feeling that I was being cause like I said, it wasn’t raining possessed by a demon and I’m not that The Rider photo illustration and I was starting to freak out and I Jacqueline Wallace/ religious, but I don’t know. I had that could hear creaks on the catwalk of show, and they would just keep going dent Union last Wednesday, students dream and the demon was trying to hurt the studio.” off and it was really weird.” shared their scary stories via Zoom. my daughter, too, and I could see that I She said later that same day there She has also heard of other spooky Adriana Nava, a bilingual education was in the room, the same room that I was a flickering light that kept mak- experiences in the Jeffers Theatre from junior and student manager at the Stu- was in and I was trying to protect her. ing a ticking sound and at the same her peers. dent Union on the Edinburg campus, And, suddenly, I just woke up to check time there was also a creaking noise “We have a costume shop where the said she has heard stories of a little on her and the fan was swinging back on the catwalk as if someone was costumes are made,” Guzman said. “I’ve ghost girl who roams the second floor and forth, and it wasn’t on.” walking on it. heard from some students and, like, the of the Student Union on the Edinburg Asked what stories she has heard on “So far, that’s like the scariest people who work there that they have campus. campus, Williams replied that her moth- thing that I’ve experienced there,” stayed late to work on costumes and “I personally have never seen her; er knew a janitor on the Brownsville Guzman said. “But the light thing that they see someone walking by. But however, what was really, really campus who would hear horse hooves definitely freaked me out because it’s like no one in particular, like, not a strange, we used to have a co-worker, and, one time, saw five men dressed in the lights are controlled. … There’s, real person because at that time there’s we never spoke to her about any of the old military uniforms. The Brownsville like, this box and you have to click no students anymore. It’s just them paranormal things that would happen campus sits on the former Fort Brown, an actual button for the studio lights working in the costume shop.” at the union,” Nava said. “All of a sud- which was established in 1846. to go on and no one was near that During an event hosted by the Stu- den, she just said one day she saw this box. We were all practicing for our 2020 Halloween costumes Karina Rodriguez around the face,” the CDC statement The Rider reads. “Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it Despite COVID-19 putting a damp- can be dangerous if the costume mask er on Halloween festivities this year, makes it hard to breathe.” people are still eager to find the most Katrina Jennings of Disney’s Inside popular costumes of the season. the Magic wrote an article that provides Google’s annual “Frightgeist” list ways that people can incorporate their shows that the top five most popular masks into a costume. costumes for this year are witches, di- In her article, Jennings shows a va- nosaurs, Harley Quinn, a rabbit and a riety of Disney costumes from popular clown. Disney and Pixar movies. The list is produced annually and is In these looks, people can be seen based on the number of times that a with masks to act as part of a character’s costume is searched. face or even a pattern that coincides The Centers for Disease Control and Aaliyah Garza/The Rider graphic with a character. For example, there is Prevention has issued a statement re- a look where the mask is the snout of costumes are scary knights and ninjas, or-treating is prohibited, but that does garding guidelines to abide by during Stitch and the makeup surrounding him and for girls, Jojo Siwa and characters not mean the fun has to end. The or- this year’s Halloween festivities. completes the rest of the face. from the Disney “Descendants” movie. ders from both counties suggest alter- “A costume mask should not be used An employee of Party City in McAl- Here in the Rio Grande Valley, Hal- native activities for families. Do not unless it is made of two or more lay- len said the most popular costumes for loween will be drastically different from be afraid to get creative and find great ers of breathable fabric that covers the males are gangsters and for women, anything in past years. In Hidalgo and ways to stay happy, healthy and spooky mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps witches and devils. She said popular boy Cameron counties, door-to-door trick- this Halloween.

DAY event with hands-on activities such as Continued from Page 2 face painting, ceramic skull painting and The Doodler By Elizabeth Mendoza DIY mouse ears. tos, so we want everyone to create their Alejandra Santos, a computer science own version of the sugar skull.” senior and the Cultural Committee chair She said there will be music related to for the Campus Activities Board, said the celebration in the background during there will be music from the “Coco” movie the event ranging from the “Coco” movie soundtrack for students to listen to while soundtrack to other Mexican songs. working on the activities. Gonzalez also said information about The first 15 students that registered the celebration will be provided, and stu- were contacted to pick up the materials dents will have the chance to share their and other students will receive an email own experiences. with the list of the materials they need for “I feel that a lot of people down here in the event. the [Rio Grande] Valley... probably don’t Santos also said she owns Minnie celebrate it as much as it’s celebrated in Mouse concha ears that she bought from Mexico,” she said. “We just want to talk Epcot at Walt Disney World, so she came to people, like, hear their experiences and up with the idea to host the DIY. what they know about Día de los Muer- “Students will be able to expect a fun tos.” way to celebrate [the] Day of the Dead The top three makeup contestants will and celebrate the people that have passed receive UTRGV swag from the depart- before us,” she said. “We wanted some- ments as prizes. thing tangible for the students to actually Asked what students can expect of the hold and something for them to actually event, Gonzalez replied, “I hope they can do instead of just looking at a screen.” come in with the mindset that they’re gon- Santos said it is nice to have those na have a good time, they’re gonna prac- events because Day of the Dead was cel- tice their makeup skills and if it doesn’t ebrated on campus in past years by the come out well, that’s OK. ... We can just Campus Activities Board with the ceramic come, laugh at ourselves, have a little bit skull painting. of fun and just talk about Día de los Muer- Two students can win $50 in VBucks in tos as, like, a cultural event and see how it a raffle at the end of the event. plays a role in our life.” Students can register to all the events From 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 2, the Campus on VLink. Activities Board along with the Student Union will host the DIY Day of the Dead October 26, 2020 8 THE RIDER HALLOWEEN ingeniería informática de segundo año, Continúa from Página 5 dijo que no acostumbra a celebrar Hal- loween y que tampoco planea hacerlo prueba del COVID-19 antes de juntarse este año. Él no cree que sus amigos tam- con otros, están a salvo del virus, cre- poco lo harán por el COVID-19. ando un sentido falso de seguridad ya “No es una buena idea … juntarse con que podrían infectarse después de la personas”, él dijo. prueba y transmitirlo a otros, Campo Para aquellos que lo harán, como- Maldonado dijo. quiera, González dijo que les aconseja “Pueden pensar que es seguro”, él seguir las medidas de salud y actuar de dijo. “Piensan que no necesitan más- manera responsable por el impacto neg- cara, que no necesitan lavarse las ativo de la pandemia. manos, piensan que está bien no man- “Esta pandemia está dañando a mu- tener la distancia”. cha gente y tenemos que hacer lo mejor Alonso González, un estudiante de que podamos para detenerla”, él dijo. --Traducido por Paulina Longoria HISTORY it was a little bit more religious,” Kiersey Continued from Page 3 said. “There seemed to be more of a de- votional aspect. Here you know the idea cans spending about $6 billion a year, of getting candy. In Ireland, you had to according to History.com. sing a song on someone’s doorstep be- Today, Halloween’s origins are rare- fore they would give you candy, like you ly remembered, but Nicholas Kiersey, couldn’t just hold your bag out and go, an Ireland native and UTRGV politi- ‘trick-or-treat.” cal science professor, recalls the reli- This year due to COVID-19, Hidalgo gious tones of the celebration during and Cameron counties have placed re- his childhood and the clear difference strictions on trick-or-treating. For more from American celebrations. information, read the Hidalgo County “When I was growing up in Ireland, order or Cameron County order.

DÍA Mesa de Actividades del Campus junto registraron fueron contactados para Santos dijo que es bueno el poder Continúa from Página 6 con la Sociedad de Alumnos (Student que recojan los materiales y los demás tener esos eventos porque el Día de los Union) llevarán a cabo el evento de estudiantes recibirán un correo elec- Muertos ha sido celebrado en el cam- botín de los departamentos de UTRGV DIY Día de los Muertos con actividades trónico con la lista de los materiales que pus en años pasados por la Mesa de Ac- como premios. manuales como pintarse el rostro, pin- necesitan para el evento. tividades del Campus con el concurso Se le preguntó a González qué tar calaveras de azúcar y hacer orejas de Santos también dijo que ella tiene de pintar calaveras de azúcar. pueden esperar los estudiantes del concha de Minnie Mouse. sus propias orejas de concha de Minnie Dos estudiantes pueden ganar $50 evento. DIY (Do It Yourself) es un acrónimo Mouse que compró en el parque de Ep- VBucks en una rifa al final del evento. “Espero que puedan asistir con la en inglés que significa Hágalo Usted cot de Walt Disney World, así que ella Los estudiantes pueden registrarse a mentalidad de que se la pasarán bien, Mismo. fue la que hizo que surgiera la idea de todos los eventos por VLink. practicarán sus habilidades del ma- Alejandra Santos, una estudiante de hacer un DIY. quillaje y que si no les sale, está bien”, ciencias de la informática de último año “Los estudiantes pueden esperar una ella respondió. “Solamente podemos y la silla del Comité Cultural de la Mesa manera divertida para celebrar [el] Día asistir, reírnos de nosotros mismos, de Actividades del Campus, dijo que de los Muertos y a las personas que se tener algo de diversión y tan sólo habrá música de la banda sonora de la han ido antes que nosotros”, ella dijo. hablar del Día de los Muertos como un película de “Coco” para que los estudi- “Queríamos algo tangible que los es- evento cultural y ver qué papel juega antes escuchen mientras trabajan en las tudiantes pudieran agarrar y algo para en nuestra vida”. actividades. que ellos pudieran hacer en vez de sólo De 4 a 7 p.m. el 2 de noviembre, la Los primeros 15 estudiantes que se ver una pantalla”.