It is now March and many have forgotten their New Year’s resolution to lose weight. But don’t worry, It’s never too late to try to be healthy.

There are efforts being made by Chartwells Dining Services, Health Services and Campus Recreation. They are implementing programs, services and providing information in order to help and teach students, faculty and staff how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Many students complain about the cafeteria food and how unhealthy it is, but the reality is that we have choices. It is up to us whether we choose the right or wrong foods.

“We are trying to figure out more healthy ways,” said Marc T. Cahill, cashier at Annie B. Cafeteria.

Chartwells has been implementing a new variety of foods and programs in order to provide and promote more healthy choices. For example, a drawing a bicycle might motivate students to eat more healthily, explained Cahill. The more times students choose to eat from the Balance Choices, line the more chances the students get to win a bicycle.

“Garbage in gives you garbage out,” said Julie Stuckey, nurse practitioner. Eating healthy makes a great difference in performing well academically.

If you give you body unhealthy food with no vitamins, your brain is not going to work efficiently

and studying will become difficult. Students have to nourish their bodies with healthy food in order to perform well, said Stuckey.

Campus Recreation also is doing its part by offering aerobic classes, programs like OLLUsers (a program similar to The biggest Loser) and personal trainers. However,

university students don’t work out because they know school is first and is hard for them to find a commitment to their health, said Edwin Serrano, Campus Recreations Head Trainer.

Yet, there are always other options like doing exercises in your room, said DJ Rodriguez, Campus Recreations coordinator. 10 minutes or more of cardio will help “boost your metabolism,” he adds.

Rodriguez also explains that including exercise in your day can be as easy as walking a few laps around the dorms or YouTube videos with different workouts that you can do in the room.

“Human beings are not meant to stay still; moving and exercising is critical,” said Julie Kneupper, Health Services office manager. Joanne Villaflor a registered dietitian at JTA Wellness, shares the five nutrition and health points she lives by:

1. Eat every 3 hours. It is important for students not to skip meals. Snacks are good way to keep the

No more running around up and down building to building.

Main building opening was an exciting event this year at Our Lady of the Lake since everything had come back to normal. However, students, faculty and staff weren’t very happy to find out that the breezeways were kept close.

The breezeways gave access to everybody to travel from the second floor of the convent to the second floor in Main building as well as to Moye second floor and all the way to Providence. But since the breezeways were close CDP’s, students, faculty and staff had to go from the second floor in Main to the first floor and once in Moye they had to go up again.

“They should open them,” said Laura Bordallo a sophomore, referring to

the breezeways. “It would be easier to move from building to building and

not having to go around.”

Darrell Glasscock director

of physical plant explains that the reason for the delay in opening the breezeways

is because of safety issues. He said that in order for the breezeways to pass inspection they have to be high enough.

“Foremost, we need to take care of the safety of our students,” said Glasscock replying to Bordallo’s comment.

In order to fix the height problem but still maintain the beautiful statics of the building, a transparent thick glass will be installed in bottom.

The delays on the restoration of the breezeways have been cause by the very specialized pieces and material need, said Glasscock.

Still, Glasscock thanks everybody for their patience and mentions that the breezeways will be open in about three weeks.

continued on page 3

A breezway where students would run

Food selections in the cafeteria.

In This Issue:

OLLU Soccer

Communications

Project

Page 3

Home Sweet

Home

Page 3

Going, Going,

Going, and its

Gone!

Page 3

Lenten Thoughts

Page 3

Soccer Off

Season

Page 3

Question

and answer

session with

the President of

OLLU

Page 6

Bad news comes

together with

good news

Page 7

TRIO Program

Page 7

Rules of the

Dorm

Page 8

Local Events

Page 8

Running around the Breezways

You need to burn it to eat it!

“A creative and soulful outlet of the people”

Acrostic by Pablo Negrete

El Placazo Barrio Newspaper and Mentor program is one of three programs operated by San Anto Cultural Arts. The purpose of the newspaper is threefold: 1) Educate and train youth in all aspects of newspaper production (photography, journalism, computer layout and design, desktop publishing, editing); 2) Develop and nurture the artistic, writing and cognitive skills of youth participants; and 3) Allow for community residents to voice, document and express their creativity, history, social concerns and thoughts through the submission and publication of poetry, articles, and artwork.

El Placazo Community Newspaper is a community-operated, monthly newspaper designed as an educational tool for youth, adult and elder residents interested in realizing and developing skills in all aspects of newspaper production. The newspaper serves as a unique outlet for people of this impoverished area to express themselves, to document their culture, and to work as urban socio-anthropologists.

Through their work with EPCN, youth, adults and elders develop self-efficacy / esteem through self-identification and the development of communication and cognitive skill building. The monthly process of EPCN instills positive work ethics and responsibility, and challenges youth, adults, and elders to investigate, uncover and translate both the beauty and the ills that make up this community.

The newspaper is published monthly, has an estimated yearly readership of 96,000 and is distributed to over 320 locations and subscribers in San Antonio, Texas, the US and Mexico. General subscriptions are $15 dollars, and $5 for inmates, upon request.

San Anto Cultural Arts Board of DirectorsPresident - Ricardo Briones

Vice President - Danny DelgadoSecretary - Jorge De La Rosa-Burwick

Treasurer - Cruz OrtizMembers - Esteban Arredondo, Jose Chapa,

Diana Farias, Patti Randle

San Anto Cutural Arts StaffInterim Exectutive Director - Nina Hassele

Development Coorinator - VacantEl Placazo Program Coordinator - Cristina Ordonez

Mural Program Coordinator - Ruth Buentello2010 Lead Muralist - John Montez,Enrico “Caso” Salinas, Gabe GarciaTeen Mentors - Serenity Hernandez,

Jeremiah Valles

El Placazois a program of

San Anto Cultural Arts

MentorsAdela Arrellano, Marisa Hernandez, Chad Gamez, Amanda Moreno, Andrea Perez, Daniela Riojas, Enrico “Caso” Salinas,

Dolores Valles

Newspaper LayoutRomello Arellano, Brandon Arizmendez, Mathew Carrion, Serenity Hernandez, Erica Lerma, Jeremiah Valles, Troyvoy

Walker

PhotographersMathew Carrion, Serenity Hernandez, Diana Lares, Erica Lerma, Alexandra

Salinas, Jeremiah Valles

Masthead DesignMary Agnes Rodriguez

ContributorsRoxanne Arujo, Romello Arellano,

Ariadna Brrios, Dario Beniquez, Miracle Diaz, Mario De Luna, Santiago Garcia,

Jeremiah Gonzalez, Issac Guajardo, Mari Hernandez, Serenity Hernandez, Diana

Lares, Joaquin Moreno-Ortiz, Nate, Andrea Perez, Alexus Rios Morales, Alexandra Salinas, Mary Lou Solis Torres, Dolores

Valles, Jeremiah Valles, Rogelio Vasquez

Letters, pano arte, poetry prose, art, photos, personal stories, interviews, articles, essays should be addressed to:

El Placazo Barrio News2120 El Paso St.

San Antonio, Tx 78207The opinions and ideas expressed in El Placazo are not necessarily endorsed by San Anto Cultural Arts or its advertisers. El Placazo welcomes all input and feedback from the community. If you have any comments or questions please call 226-7466

All year I wait for Fiesta;Parades are fun and Really colorful. I enjoy this time of year, Like most San Antonians.

1: Educación (No. 1)2121 Guadalupe Street, at the corner of Guadalupe and Chupaderas StreetsOriginal (1994) Lead Artists: Juan Miguel Ramos and Cruz OrtizRestoration (1999) Lead Artist: Juan Miguel Ramos

2: Tradición y Cultura2121 Guadalupe Street (next to “Educación”)Artists: Ruth Buentello, Oscar Flores, Damien Hernandez, Victor Mena, Melody Price, Carla Valdez, Chris Muñoz, Alex Rubio

3: Comprando y Prestando El Parian Market, corner of Guadalupe Street and San JacintoOriginal (1996) Artist: Mary

Helen HerreraRestoration (2007) Artists: Ricardo Islas, Muralist-in-Residence/Training; Gerardo Garcia; Cardee Garcia

4: DualidadPlaza Avenida GuadalupeLead Artists: Victor Ochoa (part of the Muralist-in-Residence Program) and Jane MadrigalCrew: Krystal Torres, Jose Cosme, Gerry Garcia, Cardee Garcia, and Ruth Buentello

5: Una Mesa Para La Gente Ybarra Car Wash, 402 N. Zarzamora and Salinas StreetOriginal (2000) Lead Artists: Cruz Ortiz and Lisa VeracruzRestoration (2009) Lead Artists: Lisa Veracruz and Ruth Buentello

Crew: Members of the Prospect Hill barrio assisted in the creation of the original mural by developing the theme and final sketch.

20: Breaking the Cycle (No. 20)626 San Fernando Street, corner of San Fernando and South ZarzamoraLead Artist: Mary Agnes RodriguezCrew Members: high school students Daisy Tovar and Ruth Buentello; middle school student Chris Muñoz.

28: Seeds of Solidarity (No. 28)Hope Action Care Stewart Center, 1711 Guadalupe StreetLead Artists: Mary Agnes Rodriguez and Jose CosmeCrew: Louie Alejandro, Gayle

Arambula, Orlando Rodriguez, Diana Hernandez, Ruth Buentello, Jane Madrigal, and Lauren Barrera.

34: Brighter Days (No.34)The Center for Healthcare Services, corner of Zarzamora and El Paso StreetsLead Artist: Adriana GarciaCrew Members: James Saldivar, Armando Zapata, Oscar Zapata, Cardee Garcia, David Blancas, Crystal Ibarra, Victor Zarazua

38: La Musica de San Anto (No. 38)Bail Bonds, 1303 W. Commerce StreetLead Artist: David BlancasCrew Members: Rico Salinas, Christian Rodriguez, Raul Castellanos

1: Educación (No. 1)2121 Guadalupe Street, at the corner of Guadalupe and Chupaderas StreetsOriginal (1994) Lead Artists: Juan Miguel Ramos and Cruz OrtizRestoration (1999) Lead Artist: Juan Miguel Ramos

2: Tradición y Cultura2121 Guadalupe Street (next to “Educación”)Artists: Ruth Buentello, Oscar Flores, Damien Hernandez, Victor Mena, Melody Price, Carla Valdez, Chris Muñoz, Alex Rubio

3: Comprando y Prestando El Parian Market, corner of Guadalupe Street and San JacintoOriginal (1996) Artist: Mary

Helen HerreraRestoration (2007) Artists: Ricardo Islas, Muralist-in-Residence/Training; Gerardo Garcia; Cardee Garcia

4: DualidadPlaza Avenida GuadalupeLead Artists: Victor Ochoa (part of the Muralist-in-Residence Program) and Jane MadrigalCrew: Krystal Torres, Jose Cosme, Gerry Garcia, Cardee Garcia, and Ruth Buentello

5: Una Mesa Para La Gente Ybarra Car Wash, 402 N. Zarzamora and Salinas StreetOriginal (2000) Lead Artists: Cruz Ortiz and Lisa VeracruzRestoration (2009) Lead Artists: Lisa Veracruz and Ruth Buentello

Crew: Members of the Prospect Hill barrio assisted in the creation of the original mural by developing the theme and final sketch.

20: Breaking the Cycle (No. 20)626 San Fernando Street, corner of San Fernando and South ZarzamoraLead Artist: Mary Agnes RodriguezCrew Members: high school students Daisy Tovar and Ruth Buentello; middle school student Chris Muñoz.

28: Seeds of Solidarity (No. 28)Hope Action Care Stewart Center, 1711 Guadalupe StreetLead Artists: Mary Agnes Rodriguez and Jose CosmeCrew: Louie Alejandro, Gayle

Arambula, Orlando Rodriguez, Diana Hernandez, Ruth Buentello, Jane Madrigal, and Lauren Barrera.

34: Brighter Days (No.34)The Center for Healthcare Services, corner of Zarzamora and El Paso StreetsLead Artist: Adriana GarciaCrew Members: James Saldivar, Armando Zapata, Oscar Zapata, Cardee Garcia, David Blancas, Crystal Ibarra, Victor Zarazua

38: La Musica de San Anto (No. 38)Bail Bonds, 1303 W. Commerce StreetLead Artist: David BlancasCrew Members: Rico Salinas, Christian Rodriguez, Raul Castellanos

Page 2 El Placazo Newspaper April 2011

metabolism going.2. Always combine a lean protein with a carbohydrate, a starch or healthy fat. 3. Do not wait to be hungry or wait too long for your next meal. 4. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise 6 times a week. If you know you will be unable to work out, try to eat even healthier. 5. You are only one meal away from success.

It is important to be informed of the necessities of your body. A moderately active female between the ages of 19-30 years old

needs around 2,000-2200 calories per day. A man with the same characteristics needs 2,600-2,800 calories a day, according to the American Heart Association.

However, many have the misconception that consuming carbohydrates and fats are bad. Carbohydrates are necessary because the brain, along with every cell of the body, use them to gain energy. In fact, carbohydrates are the only source of energy for the brain, according to howtothinkthin.com, run

by nutrition expert and author Jonni Good.

Villaflor encourages students not to be afraid of consuming fats moderately because some fats are healthy such as those found in almonds, salmon and avocado.

“Essentially, good fat burns bad fat,” said Serrano. It is important to provide your body with healthy fats because they help to speed up your metabolism and burn fat faster, he added.

Remember that whether you

eat fats or carbohydrates, it is important to stay well-hydrated. It is recommended to drink 5 to 6 water bottles per day, according to both Villaflor and Kneupper.

The programs, information and services provide by Chartwells, health services, and campus recreation are available to everyone at OLLU. But ultimately, it’s your choice.

“You have to be adult enough…and empower yourself to make the best choices,” said Kneupper.

Sidebar: Simple VS. Complex carbs

There is a difference between complex and simple carbohydrates. The complex carbohydrates are a good source of fiber, energy and they satisfy your appetite longer. Simple carbohydrates have fewer nutrients and are more fattening, according to howtothinkthin.com, which is run by nutrition expert and author Jonni Good. Avoid: table sugar, candy, fruit juice, cake, white flour bread, white flour pasta, soda, and package cereals high in sugar.Instead eat: oatmeal, oat bran cereal, buckwheat bread, apples, prunes, soy milk, low fat yogurt, grapefruit, dried apricots, pear, strawberries, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots and potatoes. It can be hard to eliminate all the simple carbohydrates at once but there are options. 1. Eliminate one per week2. Have a break day one or two times a week where you moderately eat some simple carbohydrates.3. Make the portions smaller every week.Remember, you can’t spell the word impossible without ‘I’m possible.’ Tip to Start Now!Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you are going all the way to the 4th floor of Main, Moye or Providence, take the stairs. If you get tired rest and then keep going.

OLLU is consider a small catholic university with perks as well as disadvantages that a 25,000 student public universities does not. Many may agree that living in campus is an advantage and “a privilege” said Grace Sinyard, an RA in centennial Hall. Others see it as an inconvenience because of the rules that have to be followed “I feel that as an upper classman, they still baby us a lot,” said Maria Fabela a Providence Hall resident.St. Mary’s and Incarnate Word, also private universities have very similar rules to the ones in OLLU. The 3 universities agree in the escorting visitors rule, “all guests regardless of gender must be escorted by the resident,” St. Mary’s residence Life Handbook.Visitation policies are also the same compared to

OLLU’s “Sunday through Thursday: 12 noon-12 midnight,” IWU handbook and “Friday and Saturday visitation hours end at 2:00 a.m.”“I don’t understand how during the weekend they let us stay until 2:00 a.m. but not during the week,” said Gloria Gloria a senior, “if they give us that privilege during the weekend why not during the week?”Gloria argues that sometimes she meet in study groups and they study pass twelve but they have no place to study since the library is close, the cyber café is always loud and in the 24 hour lunge there no space to spread books and paper around.

“[OLLU] is more liberal compare to the other catholic universities,” said Melissa Allen, assistant director of residence life.”

Home Sweet Home

Lenten Thoughts

Soccer Off Season

OLLU Soccer Communications Project

“Torture,” was the term Michael Patrick used to describe Lent.

On the other hand, University Ministry celebrated with a liturgy and several services that served around 560 students, faculty, staff and the West side community duringAsh Wednesday.

Ruben Barmea, a sophomore points out that this year we will have to “sacrifice for 46 days and 46 nights.”

But ultimately, more that a sacrifice Lent is a time to reflect in ourselves, repent, change and improve ourselves, explains Jeffrey Huber.

Off-season is a time to grow, learn, get stronger, and bond as a team. And that is exactly what the Our Lady of the Lake men’s and women’s soccer teams have been doing this semester. The soccer teams started their off-season in February and will go until the end of April, but the players are expected to continue their training on their own through the summer. The men’s and women’s teams generally train separately, however they will sometimes do their fitness training together. The main focus of the teams is responsibility and accountability across the board, academically and athletically. “Soccer is an extremely physically demanding sport,” says Coach Shane Hurley, “With collegiate soccer you don’t have six to eight weeks of preseason to get your team fit for the season; you have about 7-10 days. As a result, players must be reliable in terms of individual

discipline. If you need someone to do everything for you, you won’t make it in the program long. The same can be said about academics and our lack of tolerance for those that do not strive to be successful in the classroom.” In addition to continuing their training individually in the summer, the soccer teams will also be hosting a Soccer Summer camp. The camp will be held June 13th-16th, June 27th-30th, and July 18th-21st. “This camp will be a chance for beginner and intermediate players to improve their skills and tactical ideas,” says Coach Hurley. June 19th-23rd the soccer team will also be hosting a residential camp with Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, but this camp will only be for the advanced player wishing to become a part of the Dynamo Academy team or those who want to test themselves against the best.

Instead of driving or taking the bus a few blocks down the street to get to the grocery store, junior Theresa (Terra) Rocha lost an entire pant size just by making the simple decision to walk. While studying abroad in Rome Italy, in the Spring 2010, without the luxury of a car or a lot of money to take public transportation Terra had to walk every-where everyday. The opportunity to explore another part of the world in a tide budget made Terra realized that she can really have a healthy life and it’s not difficult.After a year from her return from Rome, Terra has lost over ten percent body fat by exercising and eating healthier. Terra describes her first at-tempt of exercising as a joke since she was unable to run a full lab without stopping and breathing. However her little sister was her drive to keep running and finish the lab. Today, Terra is able to run two labs straight. She says that for others may sound effortless “but it have taken me a lot and I haven’t give up. Really for me it was a great accomplishment,” said Rocha.Terra also has been taking advantage of the services provided by Campus Rec-reations like aerobics classes and the Kinesiology classes offered every semester. “I decided I needed a bal-ance in my schedule and I deserve a secure time to exercise so I enrolled in Pilates,” said Rocha. Besides exercising is also

important to have a healthy but looking at my life is important for me to be healthy because everything around me will work if I am working correctly. But my thinking was wow this is making me feel good, I didn’t feel exhausted, drained but I felt renewed and full of energy and centered. I guess I started to educat-ing myself of what was good for the body, is a perk to have friends that are trainers and I took biology in the summer and my professor gave a lot of information.Wow! Have you been eat-ing right? Ask Terra’s mom during the winter break when she noticed she has lost weight. Friends, professors and fam-ily members but ultimately, “I know I lost weight and I feel different have compli-mented Rocha” said Rocha with a secure smile. Well I went home over break and I felt I wasn’t being myself because I couldn’t exercise because I was so consumed by family that’s when I started to real-ized hoe exercise was impor-tant to my life to keeping me center and focus. Well actually the FYC program help me a lot in my past semester I was not an active student I meant that in all meaning of that word. I will exercise when I felt like it once every other week. In the cafeteria like if it was a buffet, I di go out and eat to places I got used to eating junk like candy, burgers, fries whatever was available, I was always active

participating in clubs and organizations but not active per say.So when I join FYC invited to be a mentor we will do all this activities and icebreakers I will be like WOW I have never been active like this before just doing icebreakers. Well now I apply for this role and now I have to do things but it open a lot of door in my mind. It formulated, I don’t have to be ashamed, if I am able to do stuff why not do them. It took a lot of discipline looking back to my first year I eat everything, and unhealthy excess of food that were bad for you, but I felt like I have no energy and I need it. Since high school all the way to Rome I will get sick very easily it was for sure for me to get sick because I wasn’t taking care of myself This semester I encourage myself to go beyond to push myself I used to think people would judge if I try to make the effort to lose the weight or saw me mak-ing the effort, I was drinking a lot of hot teas and instead of telling myself Thinking about diet stress me so instead of dieting I will just say no to brownie or ice cream after a meal or eating a meal full of fat, so I think how is this food going to benefit me. I haven’t been depriving myself of the things I some-times want instead of doing that I will work hard to be able to say today I can have some cookies…I will think this is good for you why do

the opposite so I think that has to do a lot with being educated, learning from experience that being active and eating a balance diet really does affect your bal-ance Is a part of a balance of my life.I don’t have time to be researching of find a source to cook my food but just thinking eating a burger will make me feel bad later on …eating well and exercise has the same importance for me as studying my fate and to be on top of my classes. Again I didn’t say terra your going to lose 15 pounds or 2 size pants but instead I said terra you have to take care of yourself. My friends like Marcela Avelar and Na-dia Borrego encourage me to not just lose weight or tone my body but encour-age me to do what made me feel good buy encourage me to go to the gym or go and extra mile but sometime it was just looking over Marcela keep going on the treadmill. Don’t ever under estimate the power you have to make changes in your life ulti-mately it is you who decide to take that next step on your life. Don’t let fear hold you back from anything. It was fear that held me back from the success that I am feeling now. Sometimes you get hungry so it’s good to eat when you’re hungry but if you are ready had a meal have a safety snack like V8 veggies if you doesn’t like them eat fruit or pretzels. And people who do not know the fact try to make the research and ask people.

Going, Going, Going, and it is Gone!

Every Tuesday and Thursday, St. Martin’s Hall Practice Field is a buzz with Our Lady of the Lake soccer players in training. As a part of YWCA and OLLU’s collaboration, 80 kids, ages __ to __ come to participate, with the help of 32 OLLU soccer players and coaches, in the OLLU Soccer Community Service Project that kicked off on February 22. In 2008, Lee Wil-liams and his colleague Nick Evans wanted to make a new addition to the Positive Youth Development (PYD) program by adding soccer as one of the many sports offered. The first year they worked with the University of Incarnate Word, and the

2nd year they collaborated with both UIW and OLLU. Now, in their third year they are working with just OLLU and using the OLLU soccer facilities rather than the Las Palmas softball fields they have used in prior years. In the program, the OLLU soccer players are paired up and are assigned to be either a Head or As-sistant coach to a group of kids, their team. “We teach the kids the basics for soccer,” says Gary Hamilton, JR soccer player at Our Lady of the Lake, “We are trying to show these kids the basics of the sport, while, at the same time, making it as much fun as possible.”

“My favorite part would have to be their reac-tions,” says JR soccer player Bianca Ramirez, “little kids have no control over what they say or do and it makes the time out there so much more fun; I have found my-self in tears from laughing so hard.” Not only do the kids having fun learning about soccer, but they get many positive role models out of it. “It means a lot to me,” says Loni Sepulveda, mother of Alexis, 8, who is in the program, “it’s better than being in the streets, it gets her in sports.” Alexis says soccer seemed fun and she wanted to try, “I like kicking the

ball,” she says. Christina Castruita has a 7 year old daughter and a 4 year old daughter, Mariah and Miranda, in the program. She says Mariah came home and said she wanted to be a soccer goalie, and Miranda wanted to join because her big sister was doing it. “It’s good for the kids,” says Christina, “They’re having fun.” “I truly hope we can continue this partner-ship in the future and will be invited back for many years to come,” says Lee Williams, “I can’t imagine a better, more productive partnership within our local community.”

Page 3El Placazo NewspaperApril 2011

The sports media is full of stories about star athletes who make miraculous recoveries, but we seldom hear about the trainers behind the scenes who put in long hours nursing the athletes back to health. Chassity “Chass” Muniz is Our Lady of the Lake’s athletic trainer, and at

5’1”, she’s often hard to spot in the crowd of athletes that usually surround her. She is there before and after games and practices for all sports to give treatment to sore and injured athletes. She is always the first one on the court or field when a player gets hurt, and she’s often the one supporting the player when he or she hobbles off to the training room. Muniz, however, didn’t always want to be a trainer. She originally wanted to be a pediatrician, and then, when she was a student trainer at Brackenridge High School in San Antonio, she wanted to be a physical therapist. It wasn’t until her senior year at Brackenridge that she decided to be a trainer. After finishing her undergraduate work at Texas Lutheran University in 2003, she went on to get her master’s at St. Mary’s University, where she worked as a graduate assistant, from 2004 to 2007.

“I was covering a lot of sports and in charge of a lot of athletes,” Chass said. “I was in charge of student trainers as well, which was kind of fun. That job helped prepare me to be a head trainer.” In 2007, Chass got the head trainer job at Our Lady of the Lake.

“I like the atmosphere here,” she said. “It’s a small school, and the athletes are great.” And the feeling of respect is mutual between her and the athletes. “I absolutely love Chass as a person,” senior softball player Tiffany Stritz said. “She has an amazing personality. She’s really down-to-earth and straightforward about stuff.” Athletics are new to Our Lady of the Lake, so the athletes are a tight-knit group. Muniz is a part of that group’s inner circle, athletes said, adding that she understands them and loves knowing that she is a part of their transition to adulthood. “The difference between Chass and my other trainers is that she is a lot more involved with the athletes,” said Elyse Escobar, a junior volleyball player. “She is very approachable – a great friend, teacher and trainer.” Although Our Lady of the Lake is a small NAIA school, being the head trainer comes with a lot of responsibility and long hours, but Muniz takes it in stride and has really made an impact on the athletes here. “Some people don’t realize that I can be here up to 11 hours a day,” she said. “When one sport is done, another one starts, and sometimes another after that. I may sometimes be cranky from working too much, but deep down inside, I love it.” Muniz’s life on campus revolves around treating injuries for athletes in all different sports. Softball player Stritz has gone to Muniz for treatment on a cyst on her knee and a shoulder injury. “I really do think she was helpful in the healing process,” Stritz said.

“Without her to guide me on what rehab I needed to do, I would have been lost.” Every sport has its common injuries, Muniz said. Volleyball and softball players often injure their shoulders, basketball players their knees, and soccer players their hamstrings and quads. Although those injuries are common, that doesn’t mean they are the only ones Muniz has needed to treat. “I’ve seen ankle bones popping out,” she said. “I’ve seen blood dripping out of people’s heads. I’ve even had to put someone on a stretcher before. That day was the scariest.” Being a trainer isn’t the only demand on Muniz, though. She’s also mom to a five-year-old daughter, Cailee. Muniz said she would love to be a trainer for ever, but she just doesn’t see that happening. She doesn’t want her long hours to cause Cailee to miss out on being involved in sports and other extracurricular activities. “My plans for the future depend on my daughter,” she said. “Being a trainer and a mom is hard. I really love my job, but I love her even more.” For now, though, training at Our Lady of the Lake is exactly where Muniz wants to be. “My favorite moment is when someone is hurt and they play again,” she said. “When I see them score, it brings this feeling to me that makes me smile – because I know I helped them get back on the court or field. I don’t know what I would be doing if I went down a different path, but I do know at this moment, I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”

Chassity “Chass” Muniz

Arte Y Poesia del Barrio

Above the Bright Blue Sky~Albert Midlane There’s a Friend for little childrenAbove the bright blue sky,A Friend who never changesWhose love will never die;Our earthly friends may fail us,And change with changing years,This Friend is always worthyOf that dear name he bears.

There’s a home for little childrenAbove the bright blue sky,Where Jesus reigns in glory,A home of peace and joy;No home on earth is like it,Nor can with it compare;And everyone is happy,Nor could be happier there.

Morning Prayer~Ogden Nash Now another day is breaking,Sleep was sweet and so is waking.Dear Lord, I promised you last nightNever again to sulk or fight.Such vows are easier to keepWhen a child is sound asleep.Today, O Lord, for your dear sake,I’ll try to keep them when awake.

Evening(In words of one syllable) ~Thomas Miller The day is past, the sun is set,And the white stars are in the sky;While the long grass with dew is wet,And through the air the bats now fly.

The lambs have now lain down to sleep,The birds have long since sought their nests;The air is still; and dark, and deepOn the hill side the old wood rests.

Yet of the dark I have no fear,But feel as safe as when ‘tis light;For I know God is with me there,And He will guard me through the night.

For God is by me when I pray,And when I close mine eyes to sleep,I know that He will with me stay,And will all night watch by me keep.

For He who rules the stars and sea,Who makes the grass and trees to grow.Will look on a poor child like me,When on my knees I to Him bow.

He holds all things in His right hand,The rich, the poor, the great, the small;When we sleep, or sit, or stand,He is with us, for He loves us all.

Arte Y Poesia del Barrio

At the age of 2 years old, Tessa Martinez Pollack lost her mom and was raised by her two grandmothers. Both grandmothers and father promised Pollack’s mother, before dying, to provide Pollack with a col-lege education. This was a great promise since none of her grandmothers or father had a college educa-tion. Pollack grandmothers ironed and sewed for the sisters in exchange for part of her tuition, while in high school. “It was a very provi-

dential act that really got me to the high school here [Our Lady of the Lake High School],” said Pollack. After High School Pol-lack couldn’t afford OLLU so she went to San Antonio College, then after that, she obtained a broadcast journalism degree from UT Austin but the hardships getting a job in this career as a Hispanic made her go back to school and earned both a master’s in educa-tion and business from University of Texas at San Antonio and a doctorate in educational administra-tion from University of Texas at Austin, according to an article in San Antonio Woman Magazine. If you are not really in-volved in school activities or if you are a new Saint, you must be wondering who is Tessa Martinez Pollack? Tessa Martinez Pollack is the first Hispanic president that takes command in Our Lady of the Lake University, according to an article in SA Cultura. In 2002, Pollack came back to San Antonio and OLLU to become the seventh president of the University after being in charge of Glendale Com-munity College in Arizona and Miami-Dade Commu-nity College in Florida. When Pollack arrived at OLLU to begin her presidency she received a warm welcome. After a few years, however, that warm welcome cooled. When speaking about her current goals, however,

Pollack explains that she wants “ to make a university experience affordable for Latino students [because] is something that really wasn’t happening to that extent then, so the university has really over the curse of the last several decades made a real commitment to all stu-dents but particularly to 1st generation college students like I was and like many other are,” Pollack said. However, tuition increased this 2010-2011 academic year and “tuition will prob-

ably increase next year.” Said Allen Klaus, Vice President for Finance and Facilities. The OLLU President puts a lot of emphasis in making sure that OLLU students have every opportunity for success especially first gen-eration college students. She explains hat her first day of registration for college she came back to her grand-mothers and said “I can’t do this I cannot do this.” Pollack explains the impor-tance of the first-generation college students because they “are laying down some enormous changes for the rest of our nation,” said Pollack. Pollack summarized the above statement with the phrase “marcando-trecha” that means making a path.Pollack said she understands the high aspirations of the students and the parents “so is our responsibility to make sure that we are doing everything possible to help them meet their aspira-tions.” “You have to work very hard, you have to study very hard… if you want to meet your aspirations there are certain things you have to do, you have to push your-self beyond your limits, but our job is to make sure that we are doing our part…stu-dents can tell us how we can do better,” said Pollack. Pollack began her career early in education as an English teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in the Edgewood Inde-pendence school District.

She also served 14 years at San Antonio College as a lectures, staff member and administrator,” According to American Association of Presidents of Independence Colleges and Universities.Pollack mentions, “I would always say that my success in the community college, in senior university, all the way to my P.HD and really in my career really has been the result of the education I got in high school from the congregation of divine providence I just feel very

embedded to the sisters.”When asked about her biggest challenges besides fi-nancial issues and the fire in Main, Pollack responded, “I think the biggest challenges have really been helping the university listen to its heart, about the type of institution that should be.”

On the other hand, in 2007 “the faculty at Our Lady of the Lake University has is-sued a vote of no confidence in President Tessa Marti-

nez Pollack after years of sliding enrollment, layoffs and dinking morale among faculty…days after [even] students staged an on-campus protest to complain about Pollack’s leadership,” according to an article in My SA news. Yet, according to Klaus, financially and economically “past years have been fairly consistent [at OLLU]…we only had 1 year besides last year” with a deficit from operations.A similar scenario occurred at Glendale Community College. The faculty issued a vote of no confidence to Pollack, but “four years later, it was reversed” My SA reported. Faculty, staff and students have questioned the presi-dent involvement in the university community for a long time but Pollack re-sponded with the following:“One of the things that that I ask our leadership to do are to make sure I get a calendar of all the student events for the entire year so at the beginning of the year I plug my calendar in for all of those. I can’t possibly be in all the events, but I make sure I am there for all of the important events.” She explains how for Spirit day she attended the Liturgy but was unable to attend the events later because her agenda was already book. Another example she gives is the Student Forum “that was put in the calendar in the summer but my calen-dar books out so far in ad-vance that I already had that day book.” Said Pollack.The president adds, “Right

now if you look anywhere in the nation the fastest growing population age is probably first generation college students and… The

fastest more greatly disperse population is the Mexican American Community so we meet, Our Lady of the Lake University is the face of what this country is going to be for the rest of it millennium and so we have an opportunity here to create a community that is going to be educated and that is going deliver some-thing to this country that is very different than what we seen before and what the country needs out of us. So having a population in this university that is so strongly 1st generation is re-ally important. I think that the biggest challenge for me is to help the board and to help our faculty and our staff, [because] we have an opportunity to really shine in our area that our country really needs right now.” In Pollack’s defense, Jack Hank, vice-president for Student Life, mentions that she has one of the “toughest jobs in the world” because there are so many “aca-demic, non-academic, board of trustees…that makes the university.” Pollack’s goals are as fol-lowed:* Building a university that is very strong. * Building a board of trust-ees that is very strong. * Making sure that the values of the sisters of the congregation remain.* Making sure that students that come here [OLLU] are supported in any possible way to be successful.A survey was conducted in the OLLU community. 105 students were asked the following question: Do you

know who is the President of OLLU or do you know who Dr. Tessa Martinez Pollack is? Fewer that a quarter re-

sponded “yes”.

When Pollack was ask if she would have more contact with the student body she said, “I was in the cafeteria last week, I try to get in there at least once a week…In fact I was in there last week…always try to find more time to do that but once Main gets finished this university is always going to be having to raise money all the time 24/7, 365 days out of the year, that’s what we are having to do at the same time that we need to do the things that every day universities have to do.” When Pollack was ask about the contrast and comparisons of OLLU vs. St. Mary’s and Incarnate Word University she said that before these universities were considered the parent institutions of OLLU “but I don’t think that’s the case anymore…but if you look institutions, I don’t think you can find an institu-tion that has the mission, the vision and the aspiring student population that we have here at OLLU. I don’t think you can find any other.” Talking about her leadership team Pollack said “we are not shape any different that other universities and com-munity [colleges] but we have a very good leadership team in place and I do go to them for advice they come to me for advise sometimes we all sit around the table here if one person has a problem we put in the table and they seek advice from us…this is the best team that I could ever expected to

have for the types of chal-lenges and opportunity that OLLU has right now.”Hank says that in the five years he has been at the uni-

Question and answer session with the President of OLLU

Madam President of OLLU.

Question and answer session with the President.

Page 6 El Placazo Newspaper April 2011

versity, “the most valuable aspect is that she [Pollack] is available to help when she is needed.” Han also mentions that it was Pollack that is ul-timately responsible“ for the growing athletic program.When asked about her lead-

ership definition and her own leadership style, Dr. Pollack explains that leader-ship is composed of many factors like characteristics experiences, skills, values and believes. “We should always be open to changing

our convictions but there some values that you should never ever abandon. Integ-rity is an important value for me. Making sure that I do what I promise to do or what is the honest thing to do and the ethical thing to

do,” said Pollack. For Pollack having a trust-worthy team with good and secure people is essential for leadership. “People who in themselves are very secure so when they have a problem they feel comfortable here

sharing with others know-ing that they are going to get support. That’s another part of leadership, team.”President Pollack concludes by saying that she wants to hear “personally from the students and about their

experiences. I also want to here what kind of differenc-es is Our Lady of the Lake making on your life…I am pretty good on E-mail.” Pol-lack e-mail is, tmpollack@lake.ollusa.edu.

The OLLU board of trustees approved an increased of up to $75 a semester in room and board for the 2011-2012 school year.

As part of OLLU budget planning process the board of trustees requested infor-mation about the room and board rates. The difference is that this year the board of trustees requested the office of residence life to submit recommendations of various levels that included different prices between the old residence halls and the new halls.

After the finance and fa-cilities committee reviewed these proposals made by residence life, Wednesday, January 25 the changes for the next academic year were finalized.

The room and board rates increased $50 for all the residence halls and meal plans except for Flores double and Centennial single, which were raised for $75. “This will be the first year is done like this” said Jack Hank, vice president of student life.

“The economy is an impor-tant factor,” said Hank “If food, cable, electricity… increases we will have to in-crease rates as well. It varies year to year”.

However, “the last electrical rate (and first in 17 years) was made in early 2010,” said John Moreno, CPS en-ergy spoke person. Moreno also mentions that in 2012 CPS will be going to the City Council to propose a

rate increase.

It is important that students understand that money col-lected from room fees is not all for the improvement of the residence halls but a part is used “to run the univer-sity” Said Center.

Compared to St. Mary’s, Incarnate Word, and St. Edward’s University, OLLU still offers the lowest resi-dence hall rates. “The uni-versity do everything they can to keep the price low as possible,” said Center

Yet, OLLU student life charges $30 for lockouts, while St. Mary’s and In-carnate Word University charges $1 the first time, $5 the second time and $10 the third and consecutive times.

“Overall I like it… but my paint is falling of my walls,” said Regina Chapa, a Provi-dence Hall resident.

The prices were raised tak-ing in consideration the amenities students have access to and the other universities rates. OLLU doesn’t provide students with a gym, kitchen and a recreation area in every residence hall, but the price is not as high as the other universities that do.

“We try to be closely com-

petitive,” said Mark Center, director of residence life.

Since the past two years changes have been seen. New launch furniture was placed in Flores and Provi-dence hall, both with their individual style. “I like it, is comfortable, but I would like to see a study launch, primary a printer,” said Maria Fabela a Providence hall resident.

The Pacelli lounge is in the process to be renovated. The improved amenities include,

shades, new furniture, pool and ping-pong tables are

available.

“I’ve been trying to bring value to the students” said Center.

In addition, free laundry machines, micro-fridges, and movie rental are avail-able to students.

“We get to wash for free, so that’s good,” said Leah Waig a St. Ann’s hall resident

“I don’t have to worry about

traffic,” Said Clarissa Garcia a Flores resident, is conve-

nient to live in campus.

Center reminds students that if they live in the residence halls in the spring and sign up to live in the halls in next fall they will receive a $20 gift card to the bookstore.

“Every year since I have been here I have taken steps to improve the environ-ment,” said center. “That’s my goal”.

Bad news comes together with good news

Growing up I always dreamed with going to college. However, My dream wouldn’t have come a reality without the help of the TRIO Programs.

The TRIO programs are federal programs designed to reach out students from disadvantage backgrounds. TRIO consists of eight programs that help students from middle school to post baccalaureate programs. The program assists low-income individuals, first generation college students, and individuals with disabilities.

Fortunately, for students, OLLU offers these free services. “Is my only real way of support,” Amanda Rivas a junior, said. TRIO offers numerous services that help students academically. TRIO helps you advising, textbooks, scholarships, and in asocial and cultural aspect “They give me good information of things that I didn’t know,” Joanna Escobedo a PSE student said. TRIO’s goal is to provide educational opportunities to those who have a desire to become broader individuals. The program aims to help students to overcome class obstacles, as well, as social and cultural barriers, “we try to make a difference,” said Lauren Contreras, PSE coordinator.

There are many students like Escobedo who needs someone to push her to

achieve her full potential “is a support system,” Escobedo said, smiling.

To furthermore the services the TRIO program had supplemented the staff with two remarkable talents and products of the TRIO program, Lauren Contreras and Monica Carney, mentioned Manuel Gonzales an academic coordinator and member of the search committee who screened the applicants for the PSE position.

Currently, the TRIO program (PSE) supports 237 students on campus. In addition, the Mcnair Scholar program helps 25 other students to achieve goal of attending graduate school and obtain their doctoral degree. This program helps students who in a regular bases would not have the opportunity to attend college, mentioned Monica Carney, new PSE coordinator.

TRIO also encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities and get involve in campus. As a freshman Rivas did not knew a lot of people but she mentions that PSE has been a way for her to meet people, make friends and explore leadership.

“I definitely recommend students that are first generation college students [to apply],” said Gilbert Rodriguez a junior. These programs are created for the pure benefit of students especially first generation college students that enter into the unknown.

The TRIO program had made a great

impact in this country. It has shape individuals Like Oprah Winfrey, the actress Angela Bassett, NBA player A.C. Green, Bernard Harris the first African American astronaut, and many more that had find out there are endless possibilities for their future.

TRIO Program

Student kickin’ back and playing billiards.

The furniture in the lounges at OLLU.

Free stuff is always nice.

Page 7El Placazo NewspaperApril 2011

Rules of the Dorm Local Events:A Day in Old Mexico & CharreadaApril 17, 12:00pm-5:30pmCharro Ranch6126 Padre Dr.

A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA)April 13, 5:30pm-10:30pmApril 14, 5:30pm-10:30pmApril 15, 5:30pm-10:30pmLa Villita

A Taste of the NorthsideApril 13, 5:30pm-10:30pmThe Club at Sonterra902 Sonterra Blvd.

Air & Army Guard FiestaApril 13, 3:00pm-11:00pmTexas National Guard Armory4255 IH 35 North

All Veterans Memorial ServiceApril 17, 1:00pm-2:00pmVeterans Square Auditorium CircleJefferson Street at East Martin

Battle ALS With FlowersApril 16, 8:30am-1:30pmValero Energy Corp.1 Valero Way

Battle of Flowers Band FestivalApril 14, 6:30pm-9:00pmAlamo Stadium

Battle of Flowers ParadeApril 15, 12:45pm-4:00pmParade Route

Coronation of the Queen of The Order of the AlamoApril 13, 8:00pm-10:00pmMunicipal Auditorium100 Auditorium Circle

Dance KaleidescopeApril 15, 7:30pm-9:30pmApril 16, 2pm-4pmCarver Community Cultural Center*226 N. Hackberry

Family FiestaApril 14, 4:30pm-8:30pmColonial Hills United Methodist Church5247 Vance Jackson

Fiesta Blues Heritage SeriesApril 17, 12:00pm-6:00pmSunset Station1174 E. Commerce St.

Fiesta CarnivalApril 13, 5:00pm-11:00pmApril 14, 6:00pm-11:00pmApril 15, 12:00pm-12:00amApril 16, 11:00am-12:00amApril 17, 12:00pm-11:00pmAlamodome Parking Lot C100 Montana

Fiesta de los Reyes at Market Square (formerly Fiestas Fantasias)April 13, 10:00am-12:00amApril 14, 10:00am-12:00amApril 15, 10:00am-12:00amApril 16, 10:00am-12:00amApril 17, 10:00am-12:00amMarket Square 514 West Commerce St

Fiesta Fandango 2.6-Mile RunApril 16, 6:40pm-9:00pmParade Route

Fiesta Flambeau ParadeApril 16, 7:45pm-11:00pmParade Route

Fiesta GartenfestApril 13, 5:00pm-12:00amApril 14, 5:00pm-12:00amApril 15, 5:00pm-12:00amBeethoven Garten422 Pereida St.

Fiesta Jazz Band FestivalApril 16, 8:00am-5:00pmSt. Mary’s UniversityOne Camino Santa Maria

Fiesta PopsApril 22, 8:00pm-10:00pmApril 23, 8:00pm-10:00pmMajestic Theater224 E. Houston St.

Fiesta River Art ShowApril 13, 10:00am-5:00pmApril 14, 10:00am-5:00pmAlamo Plaza

Fiesta San FernandoApril 13, 12:00pm-12:00amApril 14, 12:00pm-12:00amApril 15, 12:00pm-12:00amApril 16, 12:00pm-1:00amSan Fernando Cathedral115 Main Plaza

Fiesta Square & Round DanceApril 15, 7:00pm-10:00pmTri-Point YMCA3233 N. St. Mary’s St.

Mariachi FestivalApril 13, 7:00pm-10:00pmApril 14, 7:00pm-10:00pmApril 15, 7:00pm-10:00pmRiver WalkRiver Bend & extension of Paseo del Rio

Music from St. Mark’s: The Known and Unknown Franz LisztApril 17, 4:00pm-5:00pmSt Mark’s Episcopal Church315 E. Pecan St.

Tejano ExplosionApril 13, 5:00pm-2:00amApril 14, 5:00pm-2:00amApril 15, 5:00pm-2:00amApril 16, 5:00pm-2:00amCattleman’s Squarecorner of W. Houston & N. Frio Streets

Texas Corvette Association Car ShowApril 16, 8:00am-4:00pmMain PlazaBoerne

It was pass 12.a.m. Lauren had to study but her book was at her boyfriend’s room. She decided to go get her book. When she came back to her room she not only had her book but she also had a violation slip. OLLU is consider a small catholic university with perks as well as disadvantages that a 25,000 student public universities does not, especially in the residence halls. Many may agree that living in campus is an advantage and “a privilege” said Grace Sinyard, an RA in centennial Hall. Others

see it as an inconvenience because of the rules that have to be followed “I feel that as an upper classman, they still baby us a lot,” said Maria Fabela a Providence Hall resident.“We are adults, I don’t believe we [are] treated like adults, we [are] treated more like children,” said Lauren Eveler a senior.St. Mary’s and Incarnate Word, also private universities have very similar rules to the ones in OLLU. The three universities agree in the escorting visitors rule, “all guests regardless of gender must be escorted by the resident,” St. Mary’s residence Life Handbook. “[OLLU] is more liberal compare to the other catholic universities,” said

Melissa Allen, assistant director of residence life. Visitation policies are also the same compared to OLLU’s “Sunday through Thursday: 12 noon-12 midnight,” IWU handbook and “Friday and Saturday visitation hours end at 2:00 a.m.” “I don’t understand how during the weekend they let us stay until 2:00 a.m. but not during the week,” said Gloria Gloria a senior, “if they give us that privilege during the weekend why not during the week?” “I work until 5 p.m. and have late classes [until]

9 p.m. and I only have a couple of hours to study with classmates,” said Danielle Rivas, junior.Gloria argues that sometimes she meet in study groups and they study pass twelve but they have no place to study since the library is close, the cyber café is always loud and in the 24 hour lunge there is no space to spread books and papers around. “There should be a consideration rule in these labs, just like there is one in the residence halls for the students who want to study,” said Nicole Curtis, Providence Hall RA.Hailey Olden, a soccer player, says that it would be a good idea to make the curfew later because her

friend Nikole Gase “works, practices and go to school” and the only time to study is late night. Gase also says “I have practice, I am double major and need a lot of time to study.”The number one reasons why student get in trouble is “noise and visitation,” said Mark Center, director of residence life. At OLLU quiet hours start at 9:00p.m and ends at 8:00a.m. While in the University of Incarnate Word quiet hours start at 10:00p.m. and ends at 10:00a.m.“I got in trouble for being loud, but that’s my personality,” said Genelle Fernandez, Senior. “The noise violation rule is kind of sensitive because in Pacelli the walls are very thin and in Flores the walls are very thick,” said Curtis “the rule should be sensitive to which hall you live in”.“We are adults, we shouldn’t have curfew but have quiet hours. Does who break the rules should be punished with curfew hours,” said Danielle Rivas, junior.Other students argue that one of the main reasons why they decided to leave off campus is the rules. “I decided to move off campus because it was too expensive, too many rules and I was sick of the cafeteria food,” said Eveler. However, “living in campus was safe and convenient.” “If you live in a community there are certain rules,” said Melanio Ebendeng a junior. Melanio now lives off campus “I wanted to have my own space, I don’t have to be concerned about the [visitation] time”. “The Point of being in college is to be able to have that freedom and to be a young adult without so many boundaries,” said Fernandez.“In this community environment the rules and regulations are for the well being of the entire community not just design to please one individual person,” said Center.Center encourages students to cooperate with the RA if they do get written up, because that will help the student at the time to input the consequences. “Be nice with your RA, we have hearts too,” said Curtis.

The mighty handbook for the dorms.

San Anto Needs You!Do you have time, money, or talent to share with San Anto Cultural Arts? You can make a tax-deductible donation to San Anto Cultural Arts TODAY! Your support will help fund our program and operations so that we can continue to carry out our mission year round.

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If you are interested in paintingmurals, journalism, graphic design,and brining positive to your community,come join us! Call (210) 226-7466for more information.

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Page 8 El Placazo Newspaper April 2011