The RaTTleRVolume 101 Issue 6

89 t h Year of PublIcatIon

www.stmurattlernews.com

Continuingthe Heritage

Volume 14 of the university’s literary magazine is now available for all literature enthusiasts.

This edition of the Pecan Grove Review is dedicated to professor H. Palmer Hall, an avid supporter of the Review, who passed away in the spring of 2013.

According to faculty moderator for the Pecan Grove Review Diane Bertrand, among his many contributions to the Review, Hall voluntarily proofread the magazine, provided funding in times of need and published the Review in the Pecan Grove Press where he served as co-editor and director.

“We are very grateful to him. We miss

him,” Bertrand said. Approximately one-fourth of the content

in the Review is dedicated to Hall, including poetry written by Hall himself. Other content includes poetry, short stories and creative non-fiction by students as well as staff and faculty members.

Although the staff for the 2013-2014 school year is set, freshmen and others might consider contacting Bertrand about getting involved with the Review in Fall 2014.

“My advice would be to get in touch with me. Take a class in creative writing and be knowledgeable in InDesign,” Bertrand said.

In addition, the review is accepting content submissions until Sept. 20. Submissions should be no more than five pages and each person is limited to three pieces. Poems should be no longer than forty lines.

Literary magazine publishes 14th edition

Over the summer, the University community lost several members of its family.

In late July, the University community was saddened to hear of the passing of Tom Hoffman. A member of the St. Mary’s community since he received his bachelor’s degree in 1973, Hoffman was a revered part of the University faculty. As a professor in the political science department for 31 years, Hoffman was essential to the establishment and development of the Civic Engagement core course. The University faculty, and the political science department in particular, will greatly miss

Professor Hoffman’s presence and contributions.The community also received news of the passing of Joseph

Chavez, a recent alumnus of the University and member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, with great sadness. Many recent graduates and current students have warm memories of Chavez, and were saddened to hear of his death at the far too young age of 24.

Shortly after, news of the passing of associate professor of political science Celine Jacquemine’s husband Lee Goodridge was announced. His death came soon after he began to battle advanced bone marrow cancer.

Condolences are offered to the family and friends of these beloved individuals.

University gets faceliftCENTER

Photo by Adriana AvilaDevelopment is underway for the University Center this fall. The new stairs with wooden floors, placed over the summer, connects the newly remodeled downstairs tile to the work in progress on the second floor of the center.

Welcome Week Events

The traditional, campus-wide service event is back for another edition. Students, faculty, staff and alumni will once again join forces to contribute time and effort to those in need in San Antonio. Participants may apply to any of the traditional work sites as well as the newest addition: Haven for Hope. Those who apply to work in homelessness relief for Continuing the Heritage will potentially be split into groups, provided with information about the work of Haven for Hope and assigned to various tasks, such as working in one of the locations’ kitchens.

Wellness Team: Can I Kiss You? Ft. Mike Domitrz4 p.m. and 7 p.m.UC-A

University Ministry Bridge9:30 p.m.Alkek Atrium

Aug. 23Quad Prayer11:15 a.m.Quad

UPC Snake Shake7:30 p.m.Flex Field

Aug. 26, 2013Splash Back into Class4 p.m.Outdoor pool

Aug. 27Burgers with the Brothers5 p.m.Casa Maria Residence

August 29Opening of School Liturgy11:20 a.m.Guadalupe Chapel

Rattler Round UpStudent Organization Fair6:30 p.m.- Founders/Dougherty courtyard

Campus mourns lost community members

August 21, 2013

Cafeteria To-Go ContainersAramark has announced a new system for taking out to-go containers. The boxes now cost $7 and participants will be given a reusable container and a green card. Like last academic year, as long as participants bring back the green card and the container in usable condition, they will be provided with a clean box to no charge.

Aug. 24, 7:30 a.m.

Courtesy of Pecan Grove ReviewA copy of the magazine may be picked up for free at the English Department in Chaminade Tower.

Alex eAkinsCopy Editor

@andersdeakins

BriAnA perezManaging Editor@brianaperez27

pg. 06

Freshmen Questions

pg. 07

SummertimeRadio Hits

pg. 08

Avoiding Freshman 15

pg. 03

Turkish Unrest

A look into the demonstrationsin Turkey.

Concerns and questions from the newest students.

Songs that plagued thesummer radio.

pg. 02

LGBT

Increased acceptance mirrors Marianstphilosophy.

Tricks and advice on staying healthy.

NEwS

NEwS

Pg. 5More images on University facelift

Lesbian, gay and straight students say St. Mary’s

campus is increasingly accepting and tolerant of sexual

difference, partly due to the welcoming nature of the

Marianist philosophy.

One student, Clarissa Castana, a junior criminal

justice major, said that, while her friends support

her differences, she felt hesitant about meeting the

Marianist brothers at Casa Maria: what would the

brothers say to a gay person? she wondered. But they

welcomed her as soon as she walked in, according

to Castana.

“Over three-four years the campus has changed

a lot,” Castana said, “going from closet gay to

openly gay.”

Consequently, lesbian and gay students have

become more open about their sexuality in Castana’s

time here, which she finds a welcome relief.

Leo Benavidez, a recent biology and theology

graduate, said that a lot has changed since he started

as a freshman. If in the beginning it was a little hard

to defend himself against those who didn’t approve of

the way he lives, the Marianist Brothers helped show

him how to defend himself, he said. As a freshman

who was not yet “out,” there was no support for him

at the time—but he too said the campus has changed

over the years, little by little.

“It’s amazing that in these four years a campus

went from tolerant to accepting, and that’s amazing to

say ... I won’t lie; I think, in the beginning years, when

you’re first accepting yourself in the LGBT community

... you don’t know how to defend yourself. But people

are starting to see that I am no different than they are,

so it’s been getting better” Benavides said.

Tyrell Perkins, a junior English major who’s been

on campus since Fall 2010, said he’s had no negative

experiences; most people are accepting of him being

openly gay. Still, he’s not entirely confident in

their acceptance.

“I know there are people that dislike me behind

my back because I am openly gay and I am comfortable

with myself. But you never find out until things

like gay marriage are brought up. Then you find out

how people really feel about gays at St. Mary’s,”

Perkins said.

In contrast, Breonna Rogers, a junior English major

and philosophy minor, says that as a gay person she

has had a very good experience here and feels that she

couldn’t have picked a better university to attend.

“I feel a big sense of family on the campus and I

love that about St. Mary’s—no one is left behind, out of

place or forgotten about—and I think that’s wonderful

that we have that type of community with each other,”

Rogers said.

Rogers is a member of Chapel Choir, whose

members also have made her feel welcome, she said.

Choir members tell her, “God loves you no matter what

you are and who you are, or what your background is.

As long as you put God first, you should fear no one.”

According to junior healthcare administration

major Kimberly Quintanilla, president of the LGBT

Unity and Support group, “St. Mary’s University is an

understanding and compassionate university. There

are even brothers and advisors who take the time to

tell you about their loved ones who are part of LGBT

off campus.”

Vice President of Student Development Kathy

Sisoian is emphatic about welcoming all students

to campus.

“I hope we treat all students exactly the same, that

we’re warm and welcoming, and accepting and really

try and hear how we can support them in their life

journey,” Sisoian said. “I’ve been here a long time,

and I feel like my job and everybody’s job in Student

Development is to kind of meet students where

they are.”

My fellow Rattlers,

You’re finally here! Another year is upon us, and I hope

you’re as eager to get started as I am. Campus just isn’t the

same without all of you.

First off, I’d like to make an announcement: I’ve joined

Twitter. I’m still a rookie, so go easy on me. In fact, I’m going

to practice my Twitter skills now.

To the #BabyRattlers of the Class of 2017 – welcome! I’m

so glad you chose @StMarysU. I know you’ll soon feel right at

home here as a part of our family. These next few years will

generate so many memories for you. Get involved. Interact

with professors. Make new friends. Study.

To returning Rattlers: I wish you your best year yet at St.

Mary’s. Try something new this semester. Continue your

faith journey. Attend @StMarysRattlers games. Study.

Enrich your lives as you pursue your goals.

I’m ready for my second year at @StMarysU, and I’ve had

an interesting summer. I went on fundraising trips, spent

time with my family and traveled to Haiti with Catholic Relief

Services and @CRSUniversity. It was a stunning experience

that made me think more about #faith and service. I can’t

wait to tell you more about it.

Big things will be happening this semester. You’ve

probably already noticed the changes to the University

Center. We’ll have the grand opening of our new outdoor

sports complex, The Park at St. Mary’s, in October. And let’s

not forget traditional events like Continuing the Heritage,

Burgers with the Brothers and #RattlerMadness, which I

really enjoyed participating in last year.

You’ll also get a chance this fall to get an up-close look at

the handwritten, hand-illustrated @SaintJohnsBible. There

are only 299 copies of this work of art, and one will live here

on campus and inspire us in our faith.

That brings me to our new strategic plan, Gateway: A

Vision for St. Mary’s University. I won’t get into too many

details here, but we have set five goals to become one of the

finest private universities in the region.

• Promote a culture of excellence

• Foster formation of faith at St. Mary’s and

throughout the Southwest

• Prepare students for professional lives as ethical

leaders in Texas, the nation and the world

• Innovate and change

• Steward wisely – allocate resources strategically,

and increase financial and capital funding

I hope you’ll read more about the plan on the website

(Isn’t the new design awesome?) or in the summer issue of

Gold & Blue magazine (also awesome).

As I mentioned, big things are happening—and that

includes my Twitter debut. I look forward to tweeting my

#RattlerPride experiences and retweeting yours.

St. Mary’s is a special place, and you’re all special people.

Have a great year, Rattlers!

-Tom, aka @StMUprez13

Changes to parking

r Lot K has been added west of the Oysterbake/ Flex field and has 45 spaces. It will be a commuter lot.r Lot X has been added to the new Law Drive and has 18 spaces dedicated to faculty and staff.r Lot H on the hill was expanded by about 45- 60 spaces and it will be a staff/commuters/ faculty lot.r Lot C was expanded by about 125 spaces for Treadaway/faculty/staff/commuters.r Lot D lost about 200 spaces.r Lot T lost about 45 spaces.

Photo courtesy of the President’s Office

St. Mary’s University President Tom Mengler displays his Rattler pride during a speech last semester.

LGBTQ experience evolving acceptance on campus

NEWS02 WWW.STMURATTLER

NEWS.COM

Letter from the President

Compiled by William W. Gilbert, News Editor

editorial staffEditor-in-Chief

Stela Khury

Managing Editor Briana Perez

Layout/Design Editor Carla Rodriguez

Copy EditorAlex Eakins

Web Editor Travis Bowles

Photo EditorAdriana Avila

Assistant Photo EditorKyra Littlejohn

News Editor William W. Gilbert

Commentary EditorEmily Artalejo

Features Editor Liliana Espinoza

Entertainment EditorRachel Grahmann

Faculty AdviserBrother Dennis Bautista,

S.M., Ph.D.

StandardsThe Rattler upholds the Mission Statements of St. Mary’s University. The publication follows the Canons of Responsible Journalism, the Associated Press Stylebook and the Student Publication Policy. The Rattler is a member of the Associate Collegiate Press, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

Letter to the Editor PolicyThe Rattler welcomes letter to the editor. Letters should not exceed 500 words and must include writer’s name, classification, major and telephone number. Editors reserve the right to edit submissions for length, grammar, spelling and content. For more information, call the newsroom at (210) 436-3401 or email rattlernews@gmail.com.

ContaCt us

The RattlerSt. Mary’s University One Camino Santa Maria Box 83San Antonio, TX 78228Office: (210) 436 - 3401Visit Us: University Center Room 258Email: rattlernews@gmail.comWebsite: www.stmurattlernews.com

Look for the first installment of the police blotter, coming September 11.

poliCe blotter

CheLsea RomeRo CONTRIBUTING WRITER

T h i s

summer

h a s

been a

hot one

for all

of us,

but in

Florida, it’s b e e n

steaming; the trial of

George Zimmerman after

the death of Trayvon

Martin has inflamed

Americans all summer.

Two men, one gun, and

14 days of trial later,

Zimmerman walks a

free man and Martin a

dead one.

The aftermath has

left crucial questions

unanswered: who threw

the first punch? Whose

voice was screaming for

help on the 911 recording?

Would Martin still be

alive if Zimmerman had

followed the order of the

911 dispatcher to remain

in his vehicle? Was

Martin shot because of his

skin color?

After 56 witnesses

testified and more than

200 exhibits were shown,

the all-female jury found

Zimmerman not guilty on

July 13th.

Zimmerman, though

he did not testify, was

able to sit in front of

the jury each day as the

defense presented him as

a level-headed, friendly

and courteous neighbor.

Martin’s identity could

only be constructed by

evidence such as crime

scene photos, a hoodie,

a bag of Skittles and the

testimony of a friend.

The fact that George

Zimmerman’s defense

lawyer, Don West, made

a knock-knock joke while

addressing the jury shows

just how serious the death

of Martin was taken by

the defense.

The details of who

punched who first, who

felt the most threatened

and when exactly the

incident turned deadly

are all up for questioning.

Though scientific evidence

has determined important

facts, it cannot determine

exactly what was going

through the mind of

either Zimmerman or

Martin, or what really

drove Zimmerman to fire

his gun.

The loopholes in

Zimmerman’s claim of

self-defense were simply

too many. Justice has not

been served. The victim,

Trayvon Martin, a son

on the way to visit with

his father, never made it

home. Justice died when

he did.

The protests began with

a park.

Turkey’s demonstrations

began in protest of the

corporate degradation of

Istanbul’s Gezi Park: Prime

Minister Erdogan’s plan to

build shopping malls and

reconstruct Taksim’s Military

Barracks. In response, the police violently

cleared out approximately 50 protesters.

Since then, protests have erupted all

across Turkey, promoting the rights of ethnic

minorities, opposing the increasing role of

religion in the historically secular government

and decrying their loss of free speech, press and

assembly under Erdogan.

Erdogan, of the AKP party, has been

democratically elected three times and is

credited with a ground-breaking development

in the national economy, improved relations

with Syria and Iran and a peace deal with the

paramilitary PKK, which ended decades of

bloodshed in Turkey’s Kurdish majority areas.

Despite these recognized contributions,

protestors have noted Erdogan’s abrupt shift

toward authoritarianism and blatant favor of the

interests of Sunni Muslims since his most recent

election in 2011. Protesters have been dismissed

as everything from alcoholics to anti-Islamists,

but they have continued to hold non-violent

demonstrations across the country, and across

class lines.

When I visited Istanbul a few short months

ago, Taksim Square was rich with culture and

booming with vibrant night life—more Times

Square than Tahrir Square. Now, the level of

police brutality rivals that of the Arab Spring.

Various civil resistance techniques have been

used. On June 10, protesters made use of the

wild popularity of the musical, now movie, Les

Misérables, and gathered to sing, “Do You Hear

the People Sing?” a song that portrays the June

Rebellion of 1832 in Paris.

On June 17, Erdem Gündüz entered the

Taksim Square, put his hands in his pockets, and

stood still and silent, staring toward a portrait

of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the father of Turkey.

Hundreds stood silently in solidarity with “The

Standing Man” for 8 hours; those who refused to

leave were taken into custody by the police.

The activity in Istanbul has moved far

beyond a single issue: protesters stood together

against the illegitimate police custody of

fellow demonstrators, brought attention to the

gendarmerie’s killing of a Kurdish youth, and

marched in the LGBTQ parade. Too often we

see protesters willing to march, chant and sit-

in for a singular cause while turning a blind eye

to the human rights violations in front of them.

The ongoing protests in Turkey are exemplary

of the defense of human dignity in the face of

state repression.

Questions remain in Martin verdictTurkish unrestexemplifies human dignity

EMily ArtAlEjoCOMMENTARY

EDITOR@emilyartalejo

On June

26, 2013,

State Sen.

Wendy Davis

v i c t o r i o u s l y

stood in front

of pro-choice

s u p p o r t e r s

after the

defeat of Senate Bill 5, the

controversial Texas abortion bill.

The national attention and devoted

support surrounding Davis marked

a shift in the mobilization of the

Texas electorate, but will it alter the

long-held conservative dominance

in the state legislature?

What preceded Davis’s victory,

was a 13-hour filibuster to kill SB 5;

she conducted the entire filibuster

without taking breaks or drinking

water. According to the Guardian,

as supporters of Davis chanted and

cheered, their voices penetrated

the walls of the Texas Capitol and

drove spectators into the senate

chamber. Davis became a political

icon overnight.

According to the Texas State

Senate rules, only one senator can

delay the vote of a bill by speaking

on topics related to the legislation.

The senator is prohibited from

eating, drinking, sitting, leaning or

taking breaks.

Minutes before the end of

the session, Lt. Governor David

Dewhurst issued the third and

final rules violation on Davis for

discussing the 2011 Texas sonogram

law—a subject he ruled to be off topic.

This ended the filibuster and forced

a vote on SB 5. Davis supporters

inside the chamber and on capitol

grounds erupted in protest. State

Troopers rushed into the chamber

to detain and escort protesters as

senators made their way to a back

room to cast their votes. According

to the Dallas Morning News, SB 5

generated enough votes, but the bill

did not pass, because the votes were

cast three minutes after the end of

the session.

Upon defeat, conservatives

blamed the “indecency” of the

protestors for the failure of SB 5.

Democrats felt senate Republicans

manipulated the filibuster rules

in order to allow enough time for

a vote. A day after Davis’ victory,

Gov. Rick Perry called another

special session to introduce HB 2,

the Texas House of Representatives

version of SB 5. The bill passed, as

expected. According to Politico,

the bill prohibits women from

having abortions after 20 weeks of

pregnancy and will close 80% of all

abortion clinics in the state. The

passage of HB 2 is a monumental

victory for conservatives in Texas

and across the country.

The battleground of

SB 5 succeeded in mobilizing

progressives across the state

in which conservatives have

maintained political dominance

for two decades, but ultimately

conservatism prevailed by passing

one of the most restrictive

abortion laws in the country. Texas

Democrats have gained increased

support from women and received

national attention; Davis has

suggested her possible run for

governor. Was the pro-life and pro-

choice rhetoric an effort by both

political parties to gain or retain

power? In the face of SB 5, both

sides electrified their respective

electoral bases. The abortion debate

might be the beginning of a political

showdown in Texas.

Illustration by Ana Cano

Davis filibuster mobilizes Democrats

What you Need to KNoW

1 The protests began with

environmental concerns and have

expanded to the freedoms of speech,

press and assembly.

2 Protestors claim that since his 2011

election, Prime Minister Erdogan has

abruptly become authoritarian and

blatantly favors the interests of Sunni

Muslims.

3 Civil resistance techniques include

a public singing of “Do You Hear the

People Sing?” from Les Misérables,

and the silent “Standing Man”

demonstrations.

tAMArA GArciASTAFF WRITER

Alfonso pAchEcoCONTRIBUTING

WRITER

Graphic by Adriana Avila

COMMENTARY 03WWW.STMURATTLER

NEWS.COM

Bar MosaicoHAPPY HOUR IS THE BEST HOUR!

JOIN USMonday through Friday 3PM to 7PMand weekends 2 :30PM to 6PM

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CLASSIFIEDS

ACROSS2 - Weekly greek hangout.4 - Rhyming convenience store. 8 - The campus’ squirrels #1 enemy. 9 - The residence hall envy of upperclassmen. 12 - Carpet stairs be-gone. 13 - StMU paraphernalia. 14 - @stmuprez1315 - Site of Burgers with the Brothers. 16 - Noon time destination.

DOWN1 - The healthy alternative.

3 - Socializing in disguise as studying.

5 - The cause of empty stomachs on Sunday.

6 - The Fueling Station. 7 - A new smooth ride.

10 - Quietest place on campus. 11 - #1 campus news source.

STMU CROSSWORDBACK-TO-SCHOOL EDITION

HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? SEND US YOUR LISTING, AND WE’LL SPREAD THE WORD. 25 cENTS PER WORD. Word.

rattlernews@gmail.com

4 44

SHOuT-OuT

YOU PLAN, WE PROMOTE.

Clubs, greeks, organizations:send us information on your event and we’ll

place it here for all to see. rattlernews@gmail.com

LIFE-HACKSGetting back into the groove

of studying after a long, lazy,

summer is not the same as

learning how to ride a bike as a kid

and magically remembering as

an adult. That’s because bicycles

don’t give you sleep deprivation,

anxiety, stress and push your

brain to near explosion.

Learning new tricks to help

you study every semester though,

not only helps in keeping your

sanity in check, but changing

things up during a mundane task

helps you stay alert for a longer

period of time.

If your back hurts while you

study, chances are it’s because

you’ve been sitting for too long.

Studies based on this topic, like

the one in the Journal of the

American Medical Association,

have shown that aside from

alleviating your back, standing

helps to stay awake longer and

burn more calories.

Try placing your laptop on top

of a stack of books at your desk

to see if standing works best for

you.

If you get bored ever reading

about the same topic for a long

time, try rewarding yourself

in intervals throughout your

reading. You can try eatting a

cookie after each chapter, or you

can visit www.writtenkitten.

net where the site shows you

different pictures of kittens after

having written a certain amount

of words for your essay.

Meow!

Annie Nonymous

rattlernews@gmail.com

gAmES

ANSWERS: 1) Subway 2) Quad 3) Learning Commons 4) Pod on the Quad 5) Chick-Fil-A 6) Starbucks 7) Rattler Drive 8) Cats 9) Founders Hall 10) Law Library 11) Rattler 12) University Center 13) Bookstore 14) President Mengler 15) Casa Maria 16) Cafeteria

Contribute to The Rattler!

Come to our next Writers and Photographers

Meetings.

Writers:Aug. 27

4:00 p.m.UC D

Photographers:Aug. 284:00 p.m.UC D

C h a n g e schange

sWelcome to the neW st. mary’s university

The University Center was given a face lift

over the summer. The floors were redone

on the first floor and are in the process of

being redone on the second. The University

Bookstore was redesigned to reveal a more

spacious look, leaving room to accomodate

a larger crowd and more merchandise.

The University

Stadium, set to be

completed in the

summer of 2014, is

progressing towards

completion. Rattler

Drive is also fixed,

completing the

parking lot expansion

plan.

Photo by Adriana Avila

Photo by Adriana Avila

Photo by Adriana Avila

Photo by Adriana Avila

The New RaTTleR

Campus Bites

The newest addition to the Rattler family. This

section will include fun games for the St. Mary’s

community, an opportunity for all organizations

to advertise their events, a chance for students

to sell various items, and tips for students to

alleviate their St. Mary’s experience.

Compiled by Carla Rodriguez

As a new academic term

commences, many freshmen

students struggle to adjust to the new

college environment. Incidentally,

proper adjustment serves a key

role in determining the success of a

student’s first year in college.

With this newly acquired liberty

also comes new responsibilities.

Although this new level of

accountability may overwhelm

freshmen, those students may rest

assured knowing that the University

offers some resources to adjust to

college life.

Freshman engineering major

Karla Martin previously attended

school in Arizona.

“Although college is exciting

and I can’t wait to get there, I know

that I’m going to be homesick and

that’s not really something I’ve

experienced before,” Martin said.

“I want some advice on how to cope

with homesickness.”

It is undoubtedly true that

college cannot replace a student’s

home. Nevertheless, it can become

a student’s home away from home.

Residence Life hosts many freshmen

targeted activities designed to ease

the transition of new students

into college life. Additionally there

are numerous organizations and

programs that new students are

encouraged join in order to meet

others with their same concerns

and interests.

Despite the fact that many out-

of-state students do not have the

privilege to visit their homes over

the weekend, they may find that

meeting new people, and forming

friendships, is the best way to cope

with homesickness.

Learning to tackle her new college

workload worries freshman forensic

science major Rosa Cruz Cova.

“How many hours should one

spend studying?” Cruz Cova said.

Unsurprisingly, college

professors expect much more of

students than their high school

counterparts. For example, college

students are expected to read more

daily. Though the workload will vary

depending on the student’s major,

it is recommended that a student

should allocate approximately 2 to 3

hours for every hour spent in class.

Another major concern expressed

by a freshmen majority is time

management. Unlike high school,

which is compulsory and free to

the public, college is voluntary and

expensive. Students living on and

off campus are no longer forced to

attend class, thus it is not unusual

for a student to ditch class in favor of

social recreation.

Freshman biology major Xyruz

Villariz expressed his concern about

learning to manage time wisely.

“(I) fear that I might indulge

myself too much socially that I lose

track of my actual goals in college.

For example, going out with friends

too much, partying excessively, peer

pressure, etc.,” Villariz said.

To tackle this, the University

requires that freshmen take a

transitional class as part of their

curriculum. The non-departmental

class aims to cover freshmen

questions and concerns—one of

which is time management.

There are various visiting

speakers throughout the year who

aim to show students new ways to

improve their time management

skills, as well as to inform freshmen

of the assistance available to

them. Resources are also readily

available online, even on websites

like YouTube.

As educators and higher-level

graduates, faculty members are also

indispensable and reliable guides

to students in suggesting studying

methods and career choices.

To freshman international

business major Amy Flores, standing

out from other students is her

primary goal.

“What job in school would

benefit me? How (can) I stand out in

school?” Flores said.

Perhaps the best advice-hub

for this question can be found

at St. Mary’s Civic Engagement

and Career Development Center,

which offers its students help with

career-related advice ranging from

perfecting job interview skills to

finding internships and building an

exemplary résumé.

Freshman

QuestionsIncoming freshmen discuss their concerns about making the transition into college.

LiLiana EspinozaFEATURES EDITOR

@LilyEspinoza46

I traveled to Mexico for two weeks. I visited famous landmarks such as El Ángel de la Independencia and El Palacio de Bellas Artes. It was an amazing experience to be in a remote area. It’s amazing to see how organically people live there, and more than just (a) vacation, it’s also a journey to learn about different ideals and morals. When I returned, I worked three jobs for the majority of the summer. Two of my jobs were in retail: Express and Aldo. Everyone has some grand passion where it just consumes you and it’s all you want to do. For some, it’s sports, literature or art. For me, (my passion) is fashion. It’s been an amazing experience, so much that I’ve been considering changing my major.”

Last summer, I got an internship working for Graves Daugherty Heron & Moody law firm in Austin, Texas. This year, I decided to do something different, but still related to law. I was selected to have an internship at Seton Hospitals working for the legal department, also in Austin. I got to meet a lot of interesting people and lawyers and learned a little more about what it’s like to work as a health care lawyer. I also met attorney James T. Parsons who works at the Travis County Court house. He and I became good friends and he offered to be my mentor. I believe that anyone can get great experiences like this one. All you have to do is look. Do some research, look for internships available online, talk to civic engagement, use Rattler Connect! The help is out there, you just have to take initiative and use it.”

Photo PollQuestion: How did you spend your summer break?

sophomores offer freshmen advice

After completing

their first year of college,

this year’s sophomores

have now learned a lot

of techniques and tricks

for thriving in their

academics, adjusting to

living on campus, and

sustaining relationships.

Unfortunately, these

pointers were unknown

to them when they first

began college.

As if sent through

a time machine, these

sophomores reflected

on their experiences

as freshmen and gave

themselves some heart-

to-heart advice.

To sophomore

political science major

Danielle Renee Garcia,

organizing, planning and

studying in groups are of

paramount importance to

surviving college.

“You need to be

studious and put energy

into your studies. It’s not

a fly-by like high school;

in college you are on your

own. Mommy and daddy

aren’t there to push you,”

Garcia said.

Sophomore biology

major Valentine Sanchez

also believes that

perfecting studying

techniques is of

importance to a college

student.

“I would say plenty of

things (to my freshman

self), but the most

important one is to not

procrastinate,” said

Sanchez. “When doing

work, go to the library and

put some headphones on

until you finish!”

Sophomore psychology

major Ariana Christina

Scarpelli would advise

herself to be mindful of

her luggage.

“If anything, don’t

pack too much. You end

up buying clothes and

new stuff throughout the

year and it makes moving

out much harder when

you’ve got A LOT more to

take back than before,”

Scarpelli said.

Although living in the

dormitories and polishing

studying techniques are

major components of

being a college student,

the full college experience

cannot be complete

without the hundreds of

new people a student is

bound to meet in student

clubs and organizations.

One of the things that

Danielle Renee Garcia is

proud of is the initiative

she took to meet new

friends and join a sorority.

“There are many

organizations on campus

to join. If you are shy, it’s

a good way to walk away

from your bubble, but also

stay fit as a study break or

a stress reliever,” Garcia

said. “College is a place

to experience many things

you will never think of,

meet lifetime friends, and

feel like at home.”

A majority says that

one will meet his or her

lifelong friends in college.

Undoubtedly, college

students are involved in

many new relationships

during their college career.

These may either be in the

form of friendships or

amorous relationships.

“If possible don’t get

involved in a long distance

relationship because it

usually doesn’t work out

and just causes stress,”

Sanchez said.

LiLiana EspinozaFEATURES EDITOR

@LilyEspinoza46

Gio SanchezSophomore, Psychology

Gabriela GranadoSSophomore, English Communication

Mommy and daddy aren’t there to push you.

danielle GarciaSophomore, Political Science

FEATURES06 WWW.STMURATTLER

NEWS.COM

Although many St. Mary’s students are from San Antonio, the student body is

also made up of many out-of-towners, out-of-staters and international students.

Those who are Alamo-city transplants are often eager to get to know all that San

Antonio has to offer, but may be unsure of where to start.

If students are not familiar with the city, it’s never too late to begin getting to

know their new home. There are sights to see, things to do and foods to eat to get

anyone up-to-speed. There is a wealth of local attractions, events and restaurants

to keep everyone entertained and fed every weekend of the year.

Rachel GRahmannENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

@___rachellynn

As a new school year begins, the last few movies of the summer are squeezed into the end of August. Here are a few worth looking forward to:

“Getaway”

Aug. 30, 2013.

Starring Ethan Hawke and Selena Gomez, this action-thriller will interest fans

of both stars, and fans of fast cars, to the theater. The plot follows Brent Magna

(Hawke) as he and “The Kid” (Gomez) attempt to rescue his kidnapped wife.

“The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones”

Aug. 23, 2013.

“City of Bones” centers around a teenage girl who discovers she has powers

she never expected to have and uses them to save her family. Based on the book

series, “Mortal Instruments” by Cassandra Clare, this movie looks to be the start

of a new Twilight-esque fandom.

“You’re Next”

Aug. 23, 2013.

This upcoming indie-horror flick about a family attacked by animal-mask-

wearing killers looks to be one of the most unique of the summer and boasts a

fresh take with an interesting twist. Horror fans will be happy to know that

“You’re Next” received a 92 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source www.thewolfmancometh.com

Source www.geekycool.com

Source www.collider.com

Summertime radio hits overstay welcome

Memories are often tightly bound to

the music that went along with them,

especially during summertime, when

the weather is hot and so are the hits.

Summer is the perfect time to roll the

windows down and turn the music

up, but once September rolls around,

it might be a good idea to put those

summertime favorites away, along

with the flip-flops and sunblock. In

most cases, including this particular

summer, some overplayed radio

hits are as ready to fade away and be

forgotten as embarrassing summer

flings and awkward sunburns.

“Get Lucky” Daft PunkMost Daft Punk fans could not have

been happier for this catchy, electronic

single to become such a popular

tune. Now that summer is over, most

students no longer stay up all night,

even to get lucky. For those who hear

it twenty or more times per day on the

radio, it is about time for “Get Lucky”

to get lost.

“Blurred Lines” Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell

Thicke’s new single was one of the

biggest of the summer and was stuck

in most peoples’ heads at least once

a week. No matter how great it may

sound cruising to the beach, everyone

knows that it wont be the same on the

cruise to school.

“I Love It” Icona PopAt this point, anyone who listens

to the radio knows that Caroline Hjelt

and Aino Jawo crashed their car into a

bridge—and, frankly, they don’t care.

They love it. As overplayed as this song

has been, most people are at the point

of hating it and are more than ready

to see it go. They got the feeling on a

summer day, right? Summer is over.

“Cruise” Florida Georgia LineBoth fans of top 40 music and of

country music could admit that not

only did this hit have a great vibe for

hot weather, it also rang true for anyone

near a body of water in South Georgia.

Now that summer is coming to a close,

the windows need to be rolled up and

this song needs to be turned off.

Rachel GRahmannENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

@___rachellynn

Becoming an honorary San antonian

• Climb the 952 steps (or take an elevator) to the top of the Tower of the Americas• Try the homemade root beer at Schilo’s Deli• Take pictures in front of the Alamo• Feast on a delicious plate of Italian food at Paesano’s • Meditate at the Japanese Tea Gardens• Experience the famous fish tacos at The Cove• Check out the giant cowboy boots at North Star Mall• Inhale a massive plate of nachos at Chacho’s • Two-step the night away at Cowboy’s Dance Hall• Order some quesadillas at 3 a.m. at Mama Margie’s• Tackle the 3 lb. cinnamon roll at LuLu’s• Meander through the shops at Market Square• Share a 42” pizza with friends at Big Lou’s• Browse some art at the San Antonio Museum of Art• Go for brunch at Magnolia Pancake Haus • Head to the AT&T Center for a Spurs Game• Devour an epic cheeseburger at Chris Madrid’s• Pray at the oldest cathedral in Texas, the San Fernando Cathedral

“Mi Tierra is my absolute go-to place to represent the city. Basically, it’s San Antonio in one building: the history, the culture, the food, all in one.” Kendrick Vela, Class of 2013, Political Science, Iraan.

Source www.fravelicious.com

• “Eating at Casa Rio on the River Walk is one of my favorite things to do in

San Antonio. It was the first thing I did after moving in my freshman year, and

it was a cool introduction to the city.”

Paul Hamilton, International Business, Austin

• “I look forward to Luminaria every spring. In Spanish, “luminaria” means

“lantern.” Stages are set for music in HemisFair Park, art is displayed and tons

of lanters are hung to light up the nighttime. It’s so much fun! I like seeing all

the local art and checking (out) local bands. It’s a great way to experience the

artsy side of San Antonio.”

Kim Meneses, Junior, Marketing, San Antonio

• “Being in San Antonio has given me an opportunity to be more exposed to

the theater world. I love going to local shows, especially at the Majestic Theater.” Aaron Cook, Junior, Music & Psychology, Brownsville

ENTERTAINMENT07

Movies

ENTERTAINMENT 07WWW.STMURATTLER

NEWS.COM

Local favorites:

Student Recommendations:

SPORTS08 WWW.STMURATTLER

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Selected as No. 4 in the Heartland Conference

pre-season poll, St. Mary’s volleyball is set with high

expectations. With solid upperclassmen, and a reassuring

incoming freshman class, St. Mary’s volleyball is sure to

dominate the Heartland conference this season. Incoming

freshmen include middle blocker Megan Isbell, setter

Rachael Scicchitano and middle blocker Lauren Slaughter.

“The incoming freshmen are a great group of girls,

I am really excited to have them on the team. We have

some big hitters in this class and having Rachel to set

with will be awesome,” setter and sophomore psychology

major Mikayla Bass said.

The St. Mary’s volleyball team received a lot of

recognition last semester, causing them to be closely

watched this season. Sophomore, right-side hitter Jenna

Paul was named Heartland Conference Member of the

Year. Both senior, outside hitter Karlie Ortega and junior

libero Victorria Martinez were named Conference Players

of the Week. In addition, Ortega and Bass won first place

in the Heartland Conference Sand Volleyball Tournament.

“My expectations this year are that we will not only

host the conference tournament, but also win it,” Bass

said. “We have a strong team this year, and we are really

emphasizing pushing the limits and working together as

a team.”

The St. Mary’s volleyball team will play their first

match of the season in the St. Mary’s/Hilltopper Classic,

on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. at Bill Greehey Arena, against

Minnesota-Crookston.

Volleyball set to dominate

Sara E. FlorESSports Editor

@stmusarasports

Photo by Kyra Littlejohn

The volleyball team practices hitting and blocking drills in the Auxiliary gym of the AACC, preparing for their season opener against Minnesota-Crookston.

Volleyball9/6 Minnesota- Crookston 1 p.m.9/6 Western New Mexico 7 p.m.9/7 Adams State 11 a.m.9/7 Texas Woman’s 7 p.m.

Men’s Soccer9/10 Houston-Victoria 7 p.m.

Women’s Soccer9/5 Our Lady of the Lake 5 p.m.9/8 Texas Southern 1 p.m.9/10 Houston-Victoria 5 p.m.

Upcoming Home Games

Volleyball No. 4

Men’s Soccer No. 4

Women’s Soccer No. 4

Heartland Pre-Season Poll

Quick Facts: Played football and ran track in high school, earning All-State, All-Area and All-District honors, and leading his team to the Area Finals.

How do you prepare for a game?I get ready for a game by eating foods high in carb count and drinking plenty of fluids such as water and Gatorade. Before the game, I warm up and stretch my body to ensure that I can perform at my best and reduce the risk of injuring myself.

What are you most excited for going into your freshman season?What I’m most excited for, going into my freshman year, is playing high quality, and high-demand soccer that will be very challenging. I look forward to working with my new teammates and becoming the best possible team we can be. Lastly I look forward to traveling to new places, playing the sport that I have always loved for my teammates, my coach, my family and for the students and faculty of St. Mary’s University. I am very excited for my freshman soccer season. It will demand many things such as hard work and determination. I hope to mesh with an already strong and talented team.

RyAn HoskinsFreshman

Environmental Science

THE HOT

Compiled by Sara E. Flores

The Alumni Athletics & Convocation Center features a basketball arena, four volleyball/basketball courts aside from

the arena, a natatorium, a locker room, weights, a training room, racquetball, six tennis courts, an indoor running track, an aerobic/dance studio, conditioning equipment and a 40 foot indoor climbing wall. These resources are freely available to all students. Taking advantage of them is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

A fitness class may also be ideal to those looking to drop weight. Fitness classes range anywhere from dance to informative sessions about how to

use the training room to your advantage. Classes offered at the AA&CC are: Aqua Abs, Functional Fitness, Hour Glass Class, Intro to Fitness Center and Zumba. To participate in these classes, a Fitness Pass is required, which can be purchased on the second floor of the AA&CC for between $30 and $35. Staying physically active on campus will not only prevent the freshman 15, but it will also make for a more wholesome college experience.

Alongside a myriad of other concerns, most freshmen are likely coming into college worried about packing on the infamous freshman 15. Those worries are perhaps alleviated by the fact that there are countless resources on campus to stay active and maintain a healthy weight.

Intramural teams are open to students, staff and faculty; these are a great way to meet people while keeping healthy.

The intramural sports offered are: badminton, basketball, flag football, racquetball, softball, table tennis and tennis.

avoiding the dreaded freshman 15 of student are overweight or obese at the end of the freshman year, compared

to only 14 percent at the start.

• On average, the female student population gains 5.6 pounds during their freshman year.

• On average, the male student population gains 3.6 pounds during their freshman year.

AACC Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday6 a.m.-11 p.m.

Saturdays10 a.m.- 6p.m.

Sundays12 p.m.-11 p.m.

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1

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17 %

Compiled by Sara E. Flores