The Rattler October 31, 2007 v. 95 #4

the
Rattler
St. Mary’s University
24
Features
pg. 7
Behind the recorder
The Rattler gets to know
Pressman.
Entertainment
pg. 11
Not-so-ghoulish reviews
Halloween movies fall below a
threshold of lameness.
Vol. 95
Issue 4
10.31.2007
Traveling the road
People were executed in Texas in 2006.
to forgiveness
38
SOURCE: U.S. Dept. of Justice
Consequences of capital punishment
affect Journey of Hope, a diverse
group of anti-death penalty activists.
States in the United States have capital punishment.
SOURCE: U.S. Dept. of Justice
371
People in Texas are on
death row.
SOURCE: Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY JON MIKE HERNANDEZ
Cont. on PG 4, SEE “PROGRAM”
PPC recognizes plight of Darfur
By Cristina Gonzalez
-Staff Writer-
Sports
pg. 20
Practice makes perfect
Men’s basketball team
continues to improve its game.
ON THE INSIDE:
News
1
Features
6
Entertainment
11
Commentary
15
Sports
19
According to the Save Darfur
Coalition, as many as 400,000 men,
women and children have died as
a result of genocide in the region of
Darfur in Western Sudan, Africa.
In addition to those who
have lost their lives, 2.5 million
more people have been forcibly
removed from their homes to
camps designed for the displaced
in the region since the conflict’s
inception in February 2003 after
an attempt at an uprising against
the Khartoum government failed.
The fall 2007 session of the
President’s Peace Commission
(PPC) focused on the region of
Darfur where living conditions
have
deteriorated
due
to
conflict, genocide and massive
displacement of the population.
Some of the displaced have
escaped to refugee camps located
in the neighboring region of Chad
or the Central African Republic,
but poor conditions in the camps
themselves often lead to death by
famine or disease.
While there have been some
strides made on the international
level, the PPC highlighted the
people who are still displaced,
the conditions in which they live
and international attitudes toward
the genocide.
PHOTO BY SABRINA SERVIN
Students and facuty offer their prayers to refugees of Darfur at the Oct. 22 candlelight vigil in Assumption Chapel.
On Oct. 24, one panel focused
entirely on the topic of indifference
and the cost it has when applied
to what is being treated as an
international problem.
The speakers noted the
importance of not only being
informed, but also of acting on
that information as opposed to
doing nothing.
Another
panel
discussion
focused specifically on the
potential for college students
to participate in improving the
situation of those in Darfur.
Jordan Travis, a senior at Trinity
University who helped to establish
a chapter of Students Taking
Action Now: Darfur (STAND),
offered her story of becoming
a student activist and getting
involved with the movement to end
the conflict.
Cont. on PG 3, SEE “STUDENT”
News
Rattler
10.31.2007
the
2
News in Brief
CAMPUS
Luminarias placed in remembrance
Students clear luminarias from around the Bell Tower on Oct. 26 after the last
President’s Peace Commission event.
The luminarias were placed in remembrance of those who have lost their lives
during the genocide in Darfur.
Student Development sponsors Careers in Student Affairs event
October was Careers in Student Affairs Month, which was institued to promote
career paths in student affairs. The Office of Student Development sponsored an event
on Oct. 29 in order to educate students about those career opportunities.
For more information about careers in student affairs or national careers in student
affairs month, visit www.naspa.org/career/careersinsamonth.cfm.
Classes cancelled for All Saints’ Day
Guadalupe Chapel in Treadaway Hall will hold the annual All Saints’ Day mass on
Nov. 1 from 12:35 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. All 12:35 p.m. classes will be cancelled for the Holy
Day of Obligation. Contact Rebecca Viagran in the University Ministry department for
more information at 210-436-3213.
Student delegates to gather for MOAS
Delegates from across Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico will participate in the Model
Organization of American States (MOAS), which will be held from Nov. 1 through 3
in the University Center. Students involved in MOAS will attempt to solve real-world
international problems through role play. Contact Leona Pallansch in the political
science department for more information at 210-436-3204.
Oct. 8—Illegal Substance
Three students were
smoking marijuana in
Marian Hall.
Oct. 9—Attempted
Burglary of a Vehicle
A vehicle was damaged in
an attempted burglary in
Lot H.
Oct. 12—Burglary
of a Vehicle
An iPod was stolen from a
vehicle in Lot R.
Theft
Shower curtains were stolen
from stalls on the first floor
of Treadaway Hall.
Oct. 14—Theft
A purse containing a
cellular telephone and
keys was stolen from the
softball field.
Burglary
An office in St. Louis Hall
was broken into.
Theft
A Sidekick 3 was stolen
from Dougherty Hall.
Oct. 18—Graffiti
The St. Mary’s University
sign at the 36th Street
entrance was graffitied.
Oct. 21—
Unconscious Person
An intoxicated
male student was
found unconscious in
Chaminade Hall.
Oct. 22—Information
A student reported that an
unknown male brandished
a weapon while she was
refueling her vehicle at
the Shell Gas Station on
Culebra Rd.
SOURCE: University Police
2008 presidential elections
offer variety to registered voters
The 2008 presidential elections are a little
over a year away; however, the candidates
are already engaged in national fundraising
and campaigning.
Major media outlets such as ABC, CNN,
Fox News and MSNBC have contributed to
the elections by dedicating portions of their
Web sites to the 2008 election coverage.
The mainstream coverage of the
election focuses mainly on the 18
democrat and republican candidates, only
deviating to cover controversy or oddities,
such as Stephen Colbert’s announcement
of candidacy.
According to the Web site VoteSmart.
org, there are over 200 candidates who have
announced their candidacy.
The Treadaway Recital Hall will host a free Brass Ensemble on Nov. 1 from
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact John Moore in the music
department 210-436-3421.
Special preview of Microsoft Office 2007 to be held
Guest speaker Michael Chen will demonstrate the new features of the Microsoft
Office 2007 program on Nov. 5 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The free event will be held in Charles
Francis Hall, Room 102 FIT Lab. Contact Michael Chen in the Academic Technology
Services at 210-431-5009.
BP charged with manipulation,
environmental law violations
A corner of politics
By Dominique Vargas
-News Editor-
Brass Ensemble to perform
WORLD
POLICE BLOTTER
Oct. 7—Criminal
Mischief/Assualt
A student was assualted by
other known students in
Adele Hall, and his room
was vandalized.
PHOTO BY VIVIAN ESPARZA
These candidates represent not only the
Democratic and Republican parties, but
also the Independent, Libertarian, Green,
Citizen’s, Prohibition, Democrat/Farmer/
Labor and the United Fascist Union parties;
others are without any affiliation.
Despite the wide variety of candidates,
the last time a president was elected from a
non-Republican, non-Democratic party was
in 1856.
Hundreds of Web sites exist to increase
voter registration and participation.
However, out of the 215,694 eligible
voters in 2004, only 142,070 registered, and
only 125,736 actually voted, according to
the U.S. Census Bureau.
For more information about voter
registration and participation, visit the
Texas Secretary of State Web site at
www.sos.state.tx.us.
The U.S. Department of Justice has
charged oil corporation British Petroleum
(BP) with the largest fine available under
the Clean Air Act.
The fine totals at $373 million
for charges of fraud and breaking
environmental laws.
Fifty million dollars of the fine directly
relates to the 2005 explosion of a Texas
refinery and major pipeline leaks in
Alaska in 2004, which broke the Clean
Water Act.
The rest of the fine is the result of a
2004 manipulation charge against four
ex-employees of BP America.
The manipulation charges extend to
price fixing within the propane market.
COURTESY OF chron.com
As a result of the charges, BP will be monitored for three years by an independent to
ensure that the company complies with national environmental protection laws.
SOURCE: CNN.com
Navy commander relieved of duty
Cmdr. Michael B. Portland was relieved of command following charges of crew
misconduct aboard the nuclear submarine USS Hampton.
The crew is accused of not keeping up with inspections records of the chemical
levels of the nuclear reactor and not performing required inspections of the cooling
systems associated with the nuclear reactor.
Portland was the 10th member of the USS Hampton to face demotion since the
misconduct probe began on Sept. 17. A fact-finding investigation is underway, which
may result in further action against Navy personnel.
Six other members of the crew were charged with forgery of inspection records and
received nonjudicial punishment.
After reassigning several crew members, the Navy docked the USS Hampton and
issued a statement that the public and the crew was never in any danger.
SOURCE: CNN.com
LULAC, El Rey Feo and La Reina thank San Antonio
The officials of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council No.
2 and El Rey Feo Scholarship Committee praise San Antonio for setting a high standard
of fundraising.
Fernando Reyes and Charlie Garza, the candidates for El Rey Feo, were able to raise
$584,387 to be used for scholarships available to local high school students.
Reyes will serve as El Rey Feo for the 2007-2008 year and has set the theme for
his reign as “The Power of Education.” Garza will serve his term during 2008-2009.
Stephanie Flores was named as La Reina de la Feria de las Flores.
Reyes and Flores will visit schools during the week prior to Fiesta and urge student
to stay in school and say no to drugs.
Visit us on the Web at www.stmarytx.edu/rattler.
SOURCE: LULAC Council No. 2
COMPILED BY KIMBERLY VELA AND DOMINIQUE VARGAS
Red Cross club seeks to diversify activities, membership
The St. Mary’s University American Red Cross
Campus Club is a new student organization sponsored
by Melissa Scully, Ph.D., that began in April 2007.
According to the university’s Web site, “The
purpose of the organization is to promote service
through volunteer projects and establish leadership
COURTESY OF volunteersolutions.com
within the members of the San Antonio Area Chapter
and St. Mary’s University community.”
Altogether, the club has 32 members. Officers include sophomore biology majors
Sarah McCurdy, president; Catherine Griego, vice president; and Teresita Luna, treasurer;
sophomore English major Valeria Escobedo, secretary; freshman chemistry major Claudia
Ramirez, historian; and junior biology major Dante Gonzalez, public relations chair.
Thus far, the group has participated in two service projects: 4 Paws and the Walk to Cure
Diabetes at The Shops at La Cantera. On Nov. 3, it plans to help out at the San Antonio
Food Bank; it also intends to assist in fundraisers to collect blankets for the San
Antonio Metropolitan Ministries (SAMM) Shelter and to gather used textbooks to send
to Latin America.
For Boo Bash, the organization’s table will feature a mystery box; for Oyster Bake, its
booth will offer first aid.
According to Griego, the club aims to diversify its activities so that its members’ efforts
reach out to many different groups of people.
McCurdy stated that there was a possibility of expansion to environmental activities
as well.
Membership is open to all students, regardless of classification and majors.
“We don’t key in on biology majors,” said McCurdy. “It takes a diverse group of people
to do a good job.”
To join, students must fill out an application, pass a short background check and uphold
a GPA of 2.25 of higher, after which they will become recognized volunteers of the national
American Red Cross (ARC).
They will then attend an orientation, during which they will be certified in CPR and
first aid and spoken to by a guest speaker from the ARC; the next orientation will take place
in November.
McCurdy and the rest of the officers stated that the group was more than just
volunteer work.
“We’re trying to establish that this is a fun club, but we volunteer too,” said McCurdy.
“We’re not just here, spitting out information to you. We want to become friends.”
For more information, send an e-mail to [email protected].
McNair Scholar program
expanded by federal grant
The U.S. Department of Education
has awarded a four-year, $879,000 grant
to St. Mary’s University for the McNair
Scholars Program.
The
McNair
Scholars
Program
is designed to help minority students
gain a Ph.D. within 10 years of receiving a
bachelor’s degree.
According to the U.S. Department of
Education’s Office of Postsecondary
Education Web site, the McNair program
is one of eight TRIO programs, which are
described as “educational opportunity
outreach
programs
designed
to
motivate and support students from
disadvantaged backgrounds.”
The program was named after Ronald
McNair, an astrophysicist and astronaut on
the space shuttle Challenger.
St. Mary’s received this grant as a
result of a national campaign that comes up
every four years. There were 318 applications
from around that country, and 181 of these
applications received funding.
Before the grant was received, the
McNair program offered by St. Mary’s was
housed at Notre Dame University, and the
students who participated in the program
would spend eight weeks at Notre Dame.
“With this grant, we were able to build
our own McNair program. Now, we can
provide comprehensive preparation instead
of an eight-week summer program,” said
Jennifer Zwahr-Castro, Ph.D., director of the
St. Mary’s McNair program.
With the expansion of the McNair
program, there will be an increased need for
Student activism encouraged by Commission
Continued from page 1
By Jacqueline Mendez
-Copy Editor-
By Sarah Grace Villarreal
-Staff Writer-
3
Rattler
the
10.31.2007
News
faculty and staff.
“We are going to hire a full
time assistant director, administrative
assistant and graduate assistant. We will
also have faculty mentors and summer
research mentors,” Zwahr-Castro said.
According
to
Zwahr-Castro,
the
program is rigorous and is not something
every student should apply for.
“For students who have a goal of a Ph.D.,
it’s a good program. We are also looking for
students who are interested in [Employment
Development Department] and Psy.D. and
[biology] students who want to pursue an
M.D./Ph.D.,” said Zwahr-Castro.
Senior English major Daniela Botello
participated in the program last year.
“The experience was great. I feel that
it was an excellent opportunity for me to
acquire research experience, establish
connections and prepare for the [Graduate
Record Examination.] I feel that I gained
much from the experience, [and] I would
definitely recommend it,” Botello said.
Though the grant is intended to increase
access to graduate programs, Zwahr-Castro
said that it is not about putting students into
graduate programs at St. Mary’s.
“It’s about preparing students for
[graduate] school,” said Zwahr-Castro. “Our
goal is to have 25 McNair scholars a year, get
them in our program as soon as they have
completed 60 hours and keep them through
the summer of their senior year to help them
achieve a Ph.D.”
According to the U.S. Department of
Education, 177 institutions received grants,
4,186 students participated and roughly
$41.7 million was spent on the program
in 2006.
“I’m very much a pacifist, so I
was drawn to this cause initially and
primarily because it is a very complicated
issue of violence,” said Travis. “There are
lots of violent conflicts that are very much
worth fighting for, and I believe this time
that this is an effective movement, so I
wanted to take part in that.”
She said that she hoped people were
encouraged by the efforts made to help
remedy the situation.
Travis also said that she hoped that
students would find the inspiration
and the passion to find and join a
cause to support, even if it is not
specifically Darfur.
During
the
presentation,
she
encouraged the audience to step outside
of their own lives and find something they
were passionate about.
“I’m OK with people saying, ‘Darfur
is not really my issue, but maybe I should
look more outside of my own world and
try to do something for the greater good
of humanity,’” Travis said.
Susan
Smylie
of
the
San
Antonio Interfaith Darfur Coalition also
encouraged students to be active and not
to feel disempowered by the idea that the
older generation may still regard them as
leaders of the future rather than leaders of
the present.
In fact, it was through a 14-year-old
adolescent that she first learned of the
situation in Darfur.
“A friend of my son’s found out about
what was happening and held an event
in her home,” said Smylie. “It was mostly
teenagers, but I stayed, and that’s how I
was informed.”
Smylie said that the efforts of the
student activist movement toward Darfur
were worthy of praise.
“The student movement has done more
for the people of Darfur than anybody
else,” said Smylie. “I have tremendous
hope that this generation will not only be
the leaders in stopping the genocide
in Darfur, but will also be the leaders in
eliminating genocide from our world.”
PHOTO BY ROBIN JOHNSON
Students, faculty, staff and guests gathered throughout the week to learn about the genocide
in Darfur, as presented by the President’s Peace Commission (PPC).
PHOTO BY VIVIAN ESPARZA
During the PPC, a table was set up outside of Conference Room A, providing involvement and
awareness information.
PHOTO BY VIVIAN EXPARZA
San Antonio Express-News columnist Jonathan Gerwitz presented a brief history of Darfur
during the Disaster in Darfur: The Basics presentation on Oct. 23.
PHOTO BY VIVIAN ESPARZA
Students gathered infomation after a panel discussion on Oct. 23.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, on this day in history: In 1915, Martin Luther posted his “Ninety-five Theses” which sparked the Protestant Reformation.
News
Rattler
10.31.2007
the
4
Program invites students to ‘Journey’ toward forgiveness
By Nancy Martinez
-Ad ManagerAccording to the U.S. Department of Justice, as of
year end 2005, there were 3,254 inmates under the death
sentence.
Since 1986, there has been an organized movement
committed to public education and finding alternatives to
the death penalty.
When his grandmother’s murderer was sentenced
to death in 1985, Bill Pelke was a supporter of capital
punishment. It was not until Pelke underwent what he
called a spiritual transformation that he became a
crusader against the death penalty and founded the
Journey of Hope.
Pelke has since dedicated his time to spreading the
Journey of Hope’s message of forgiveness to 40 states
and 10 countries since 1986. On Oct. 10, the journey came
to the St. Mary’s Law Library to present students with
firsthand accounts of families of murder victims, families
of the executed and death penalty exonerates.
“[Pelke] is somebody [who] went through this and
now travels all over, telling [his] story. He is proof that
we can choose to live out of anger and hatred or we can
make a choice to forgive and let our pain heal others,”
said Sister Grace Walle, Ph.D., School of Law Campus
Minister and Chair of the Marianist Social Justice
Collaborative Anti-Death Penalty Issue Team.
This year, the Journey of Hope tour featured the
stories of three people who share the common goal of
promoting forgiveness.
Guest speaker Edward Mpagi Edmary spent 18 years on
death row in Uganda for a crime he did not commit.
The person Edmary was accused of killing was found
alive seven years into his sentence, but it took family
members and a group of Catholic activists 11 years to
achieve his exoneration.
Edmary said that he was angry, but he realized that, “If
you don’t forgive, you don’t have peace in your heart.” He
now dedicates his time to counseling inmates and teaching
them the word of God.
Celia McWee, another member of the panel, said that
she had experienced both sides of the death penalty. Her
daughter was murdered in 1980, and her son was executed
in 2004 after 10 years in prison.
“Execute justice, not people,” said McWee. “With the
death penalty, not only do they punish the person who
committed the crime, but [also] the family and friends;
there are many affected. It’s unexplainable. Something like
this, you have to experience. No one can ever say, ‘I can
imagine how you feel,’ because they can’t.”
Journey of Hope brought these guest speakers together
along with permanent members to speak out against the
death penalty.
Co-founder of Journey of Hope Marietta Jaeger-Lane
said that her seven-year-old daughter had been abducted
and murdered during a family camping trip.
Jaeger-Lane and her family did not receive news about
her daughter for a year after the abduction took place in
Montana. Throughout that year, Jaeger-Lane said that she
had struggled to deal with her anger before slowly moving
toward forgiveness.
“I could have taken this man’s life with my bare hands
with a smile on my face, and I [would have] felt justified.
Everyone around me would [have] supported me,” said
Jaeger-Lane. “Once I moved from fury to forgiveness, I had
a huge burden taken off me.”
For the last 25 years, Jaeger-Lane has been an active
campaigner against the death penalty, claiming “not in my
name and not with my tax dollars.”
Journey of Hope encourages people to speak out against
capital punishment by first becoming informed about
the issue and then joining vigils, signing petitions and
writing letters.
The St. Mary’s Center for Legal and Social Justice also
participates in advocacy programs that aim to prevent the
incarceration of innocent people on death row.
The Death Penalty Information organization Web site
lists the stories of the 124 people who have been exonerated
since 1973 after being proved innocent.
“As a Catholic school, we are taught [that] we should
hate sin and not the sinner. You see students seeking
revenge, but how do we teach forgiveness? It does not
happen overnight,” said Walle. “Hearing these stories
leaves you asking, ‘What would I do in that situation?’”
Marietta Jaeger-Lane
Celia McWee
Jaeger-Lane has been involved
with Journey of Hope since her
seven-year-old daughter Susie
was kidnapped and murdered
in 1973.
She is quoted on the Journey of
Hope Web site as saying:
“In my case, my own
daughter was such a gift of joy
and sweetness and beauty that
to kill someone in her name
would have been to violate and
profane the goodness of her
life;
the
idea
is
offensive and repulsive to me.
Capital punishment degrades,
dehumanizes and debilitates us
as a human society,”
COURTESY OF journeyofhope.com
McWee joined Journey of Hope
after experiencing both sides of
the capital punishment system.
Her daughter Joyce was
murdered by her husband in
1980, and her son Jerry was
executed in 2004.
She witnessed her son’s
execution because she “couldn’t
let him die in a room full
of strangers.”
Since 2004, she has also become
involved with Murder Victims’
Families for Reconciliation
COURTESY OF journeyofhope.com
According to the Texas State Almanac, the Texas State cooking implement is the cast iron Dutch oven.
10.31.2007
Dean’s List
5
the
Rattler
Undergraduate Dean’s List Spring 2007
Bill Greehey School
of Business
Highest Honors
Thomas DeLaCruz
Marisela Escobedo
Robert Freeman
Megan Haley
Maria Hernandez
Samantha Karam
Danielle Lopez
Curtis Lucas
Lisa Martinez
Alexander Maurer
Elizabeth Perez
Sarah Proper
Elizabeth Reid
Ryan Schilhab
Gianfranco Semino
Mateo Ugas
Rose Vazquez
Sarah Weynand
Michelle Wolford
High Honors
Michael Alexander
Elsa Ballesteros
Jason Bates
Manali Bhakta
Elizabeth Brandt
Jonathan Bush
Elvira Camargo
Ricard Fabela
Patrick Gavin
Jaclyn Good
Krystal Guevara
Stephanie Hopkins
Robert Johnson
Mario Leyva
Consuelo Martinez
Gabriela Morales
Hector Pedraza
Kevin Pegg
Luis Rivera
Pamela Rodriguez
Donald Sinak
Lucia Sobrevinas
Christian Vasquez
Honors
Arturo Acosta
Christopher Aleman
Amanda Anderson
Candace Arebalo
Gabriela Baida
Adrienne Balsamo
Danko Barisic
Eric Barrera
Juan Barrera
Rachel Calderon
James Carter
Ashley Casimiro
Nicholas Charkow
Andrea Charles
Jenna Chavez
Anahi Covarrubias
Melissa Delgado
Alfonso Diaz
Lyra Fabela
Daniel Garcia
Emmett Gonzales
Karina Gonzales
Lance Gossen
Ross Grahmann
Jonathan Gray
Eva Infante
Sarah Ingram
Nicholas Maldonado
Oscar Martinez
Jeana Montesdeoca
Rosa Moreno
Jose Muniz
Chastity Noble
Jose Placencia
Carlos Ramirez
Rachelle Ramos
Anthony Reimherr
Erick Rodriguez
Sarah Ryan
Roberta Tycer
Jose Uriegas
David Vaio
Priscilla Vigliante
Raymund Villanueva
Meghan Vokes
Marika Whitehurst
Colby Wilson
Nathaniel Wilson
Wai-Ching Wong
School of
Humanities and
Social Sciences
Highest Honors
Nakisha Acosta
Anna Alejos
Jason Anderson
Natalie Avitua
Christina Barrientes
Eleonora Bass
Stacey Beasley
Elin Bonilla
Brandee Burke
Ruben Carrete
Roxanne Castillo
Blake Chapman
Valerie Cobos
Vanessa Colon
Floyd Contreras
Alysia Cordova
Philip Couture
Alfonso DeLaTorreNarvarte
Tara Dorogi
Christine
Duchouquette
Jennifer Elliot-Proscia
Shelem Estrada
Matthew Fenner
Andrew Fletcher
Jennifer Fossett
Christopher Fremaux
Marissa Garcia
Vanessa Gonzales
Carla Gonzalez
Melissa Gunnels
Diana Helm
Evelia Hernandez
Zayra Hernandez
Peter Houhoulis
Jacquelyn Johnson
Margaret Kaderli
Amanda King
Monica Lackups
Laura Lopez
Nicole Mahler
Misha McDonald
Jenai Mehra
Christopher Moken
Nicole Muniz
Johanna Oberhofer
Michelle Ornelas
Annacecilia Peacher
Timothy Powell
Christina Ramirez
Laura Ramos
Gilberto Reyna
Dana Romo
Magdalena Salazar
Angela Santana
Ryan Schmidt
Brian Sosa
Clayton Sosa
Sean Stilson
Laura Sudano
Erika Taylor
Amanda Tillman
Allison Vande Hey
Leslie Vasquez
Sarah Villarreal
Alyssa Wealty
Michelle White
Elizabeth Zamarripa
High Honors
Allison Avalos
Amanda Bass
Crystal Braun
Itasve Camacho
Yvette Changuin
Hillary Cigrang
Alyssa Cobarrubias
Christopher Coburn
Paolo Durand
Laurel Emmers
Valeria Escobedo
Vivian Esparza
Maria FernandezMerlo
Megan Freasier
Cristina Frescas
Sarah Galvan
Lacey Garcia
Stephanie Garcia
Marina Gonzales
Elizabeth Joyce
Sara Kamalipour
Deann Lopez
Michael Malone
Daniel McCarthy
Emily Medrano
Andrew Murphy
Cynthia Pompa
Nicolette Portales
Quentella Quichocho
Charles Ramirez
Mayra Ramirez
Elizabeth Redmond
Danielle Rivero
Jessica Rodriguez
Sara Rodriguez
Michelle Romero
Kenny Shelley
Rebecca Stablein
Juan Vasquez
Brooke Villafranca
Carol Vreeland
Ashleigh Warfield
Tara Wicketts
Pamela Zaiontz
Hector Zapata
Sharon Zaragoza
Honors
Danielle Adan
Amanda Alaniz
Jacob Alvarado
EvelynAzuela
Bobby Baiza
Nicole Baldwin
Serena Barrera
Majel Braden
Brittany Brink
Teresa Carlos
Vanessa Carrillo
Cynthia Corralez
Laura Dean-Shapiro
Rebecca Durand
Mercedes Elias
James Escamia
Eric-James Estrada
Gabriela Estrada
Kimberly Fisher
Jose Frech
Kelly Gallo
Jose Galvan
Megan Galvin
Daniel Garcia
Max Garcia
Roseanna Garza
Valarie Geckler
Emily Gonzalez
April Green
Camille Gutierrez
Riane Herrera
Michael Hogans
Alma Ibarra
Guadalupe Ibarra
Marco Ibarra
Stefan Jewasko
Elisabeth Jones
Jacklyn Leal
Robert Lee
Rebecca Lopez
Rita Lopez
Benny Marquez
Gabriela Marquez
Evan McMillan
Christopher Medina
Maricela Mejia
Jacqueline Mendez
Vanessa Mendoza
Fatima Menendez
Cassidy Merkatz
Sade Mitchell
Troy Neighbors
Laura O’Bar
Andrew Oberle
Aidee Ortega
Leslee Owen
Mary Pederson
Oscar Pena
Paula Perez
Roberto Perez
Alison Pino
Alexis Quiroz
Clarissa Ramon
John Reyes
Ari Rivera
Charlena Rodez
Jose Rodriguez
Stephanie Romero
Samantha Roque
Zozimo Salazar
Amanda Salinas
Pilar Salinas
Juan Sandoval
Nicole Schumann
Matthew Scruggs
Patricia Sipes
Rachel Smith
Veronica Sosa
William Soto
Stephanie Tauer
Sarah Theisen
Danica Torres
Claudia Valladolid
Leon Valverde
Kimberly Vela
Laura Ybarra
School of Science,
Engineering and
Technology
Highest Honors
Henrietta Abodakpi
Adrian Agapito
Alvaro Aguilar
Julius Aluyen
Luis Aranda
Gerardo Aranda
Claussen
Ria Cabanero
Alexandra Chincarini
Amy Crissman
Stephanie Crowell
Courtney Deane
Sylvia DeSola
Brano Djenic
Diane Gaither
David Gaither
Nidia Garcia
Adam Gomez
Hayley Harris
Tiffany Jansky
Mark Jenkins
Tiffany Le, Biology
Rachel Maldonado
Robert Maldonado
Ashley Nava
Brett Nussdorfer
Jaime Parra
Melody Perez
Larissa Riojas
Jade Salazar
Amanda Scott
Oluwaseyi Senbore
Logan Snyder
Amanda Stone
Diana Torres
Jason Torres
Celia Vaclavik
Nina Vega
Ariel Vinas
Yanran Wang
High Honors
Daniel Araujo
Miguel Arroyo
Alfonso Cavazos
Jessica Dunn
James Fischer
Frank Gonzales
Andrew Hrywnak
Bryce Karulak
Samantha Layne
Terence Libeiro
Carissa Madrid
Richard Molina
Adrian Perez
Nancy Reyes
Jessica Rodriguez
George Sanchez-Vega
Lauren Scalercio
Toni Tullius
David Vela
Honors
Ariana Amberg
Marissa Andrew
James Andry
Pegah Asadi
Brandon Ballesteros
Denise Barraza
Amanda Benavides
Lauren Britten
William Calhoun
Emily Cancellare
Miriam Chimhungwe
Sonal Chiranewala
Marisa Doria
Nathan Echon
Kyle Farrell
Christopher Flores
Britney Friesenhahn
Jairo Garcia
Alex Garza
Dante Gonzalez
Rebecca Herbst
Chad Herrada
Phillip Herrera
Ifechukwu Igboanugo
Jessica Johnson
Susan Johnson
Anthony Jones
Liesl Knape
Ryan Konkright
Denise Kuri
Cruz Lara
Jose Lopez
Stormy Lopez
Mellyruth Maldonado
Sarah McCurdy
Julio Medina
Mikhail Mikhailov
Elishiah Miller
Danielle Mittelstadt
Farha Mohamed
Jafet Morales
Edwin Najera
Miriam Ochoa
Nadia Perez
Maria Rivera
Briana Roberts
Nayeli Rodulfo
Jessica Rosales
Samantha Saldana
Andres Sepulveda
Nathan Shimek
Vanessa Sholles
Joshua Soto
Nicole Spencer
Supratim Srinivasan
Kyle Tripp
Norma Valdez
Frances Valencia
Marisela Vigil
Mark Webb
Monica Wolo
Graduate Dean’s List Spring 2007
Tracey Abercrombie
Marie Alcala
Kevin Alley
Osamah Almuayyad
Kristin Ambrose
Rachel Ames
Raul Arias
Robert Arreaola
Eugene Barron
Martin V. Bendernagel
David Birkelbach
Skip Blancett
Neda Bolourian
Tiana Booker
Aide Patricia Bortz
Joshua Bower
Terry Brannan
Julie Brown
Bethany Buenteo
Calvin J. Buntin
Angelita Cantu
Margaret Cantu
Rachel Carmona
Matthew Castline
Adelita Cavada
Travis Christian
Thomas Cisneros
Karen Conlin
Zachariah Coyner
Joshua Daniels
Sabrina Deberry
Joseph Dinkins
Catherine Durbin
Maryjane Eldred
Marshall Ellington
Megan Marie Fielden
Konstantin Finkin
Steven Fraley
Robert Frame
Samantha Galloway
Tatiana Gamarra
Alice Garcia
Dean’s List Criteria
Editor’s Note: The Dean’s List, annually
published in The Rattler in the fall, is based
on Spring 2007 grades provided by the
Registrar’s Office and the Graduate Dean’s
Office as of Oct. 26, 2007.
Undergraduate Dean’s List Criteria
To be eligible for the Dean’s List in the
Ema Garcia
Luis Garcia
Rene Gonzalez
Ashley E. Graham
Imelda Guzman
Daniel Hayes
Travis Hernandez
Justin Hintzen
Aaron Jackson
Samir Jarjoui
Joseph Johnson
Andrea Jones
Crystal Juarez
Angela Keller
Megan Kelly
Sean Klimek
Laura D. Klus
Brett Knight
Olesya Krasnikova
Randell Laughlin
Lorena Leggareta
Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences;
Science, Engineering and Technology;
and Bill Greehey School of Business,
students must:
•be on full time status (12
earned hours)
•earn a grade point average
(GPA) of 3.60 and above
The Dean’s List for these schools consists
Amber Leszczynski
Joe Anthony Lopez
Joseph S. Lopez
Larissa Luna-Tamez
Pedro Marino
Crystal Marroquin
Joe Ray Martin
Maria Martinez
Nicole Martinez
Guy Matorana
Luke McGuire
Rhonda Michel
Kathryn Modisette
Pamela Monroe
Thomas Motl
Steven Moynihan
Derrick Muschalek
Ahsan Nasar
Liam O’Farrell
Rita Olfers
Jesse Olivarez
Aline Orr
Joanna Ortega
Lisa Page
Nancy Patterson
David Pena
Yesenia Pena
George Pennington
Thuy Phan
John Pinion
Carlos A. Plata
Candace Prado-Martin
Khadijat Quadri
Lina Abdalfattah Redwan
Amanda Reimer
Scott Rheinschmidt
Nathaniel Rightsell
Wanda L. Rivera
Chriselda L. Rodriguez
Nancy Rodríguez
Shelley Rodriguez
Katherine Ruesink
of three categories. Students must earn the
following GPAs:
Highest Honors 3.90 to 4.00
High Honors
3.80 to 3.89
Honors
3.60 to 3.79
Graduate Dean’s List Criteria
Graduate students who meet the
following criteria are selected for the
Vedika Sakhdeo
Orlando Sanchez
Carly Schmidt
Karoline R. Sciarretta
Timothy Shelton
Brian Shipley
Maria Sierra
Margo Singleton
Frank Solis
Jennifer Spencer
Jennifer Stewart
Robert Summers
Allison Tooker
Alejandra Ugarte
Richard Vasquez
Rene Villareal
William Walden
Shana Weaver
Marka Wight
Sean Yandle
Jana Zamzow
Dean’s List:
•rank in the top ten percent of
their scholastic area of study
•have accumulated eight hours
of graduate study with a
minimum semester and
cummulative GPA of 3.75
•enrolled in at least six hours
The National Geographic’s Green Guide tip of the week advises consumers to buy natural plant-derived, biodegradable cellulose sponges.
Features
Rattler
10.31.2007
the
6
Houston designer adds dimension to production
By Sarah Grace Villarreal
-Staff WriterResearch, a diverse cast, a professional designer and
drama professor Adam Burke make the perfect combination
for the semester’s first production “The Ice Wolf.”
This play by Joanna Halpert Kraus will be debuting
on Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Reinbolt Theatre. It is about a
light-haired, light-skinned girl who is an outcast in her Inuit
tribe. Only her parents and friend Tarto love her. When her
parents are lost in a storm, the girl, Anatou, is forsaken by
her tribe and blamed for all the misfortune that her village
is experiencing. She runs away into the forest where she
meets the mysterious Wood God, whom she asks to turn
her into a wolf.
Burke began planning for the play about two months
before rehearsals started. He was attracted to it because of
the message it conveys. He said that he thinks the message is
about hate, which is seen in this production and is relevant
to today’s world. However, the production is not one of
judgment; rather, it is meant to make the audience think.
“It is a good story, and it has characters you can relate
to,” said sophomore political science major Sally Sanchez,
the stage manager of the play.
The characters are just as diverse as the student actors
who portray them. The cast has been rehearsing for the play
four to five times a week for about five weeks in total. The
actors, in addition to learning their characters, also had to
research about ancient Inuit culture, according to Burke.
Junior general business major Sarah Weynand has the
role of Tarto in the
play. Like other cast
members,
Weynand
went the extra step
to get in tune with
her character.
“We
researched
the
Inuit
culture.
It helped me to
get
into
the tribal mindset
for my character,”
Weynand said.
One
of
the
attractions
of
the
play will be the
use of masks and
puppets
throughout
PHOTO BY VIVIAN ESPARZA
the production.
Cast members rehearsed in Reinbolt Theatre five days a week for about five weeks.
“We
have
a
professional designer,
“The Ice Wolf” will not only be visually stimulating, but
Kevin Kyle from Houston, who is doing the puppets, masks also a play with a message.
and sets,” said Burke. “He comes in and works with the
“People should come see this play because it’s a good
students. It’s a very non-realistic play, set in an abstract story, and it presents a different culture,” said senior
world based upon northern Inuit tribes of the past.”
English/communication arts major Sonia Knape.
The actors wear masks when they are portraying their
“The Ice Wolf” is playing Nov. 2, 3, 6-10 at 7:30 p.m. and
characters, but when they are telling the story, they perform Nov. 4 at 2:30 p.m. in Reinbolt Theatre. Tickets cost $12
without their masks. The walls of the stage have been made for general admission, $10 for faculty, military and senior
to look like tribal paintings. When an actor is portraying an citizens and $5 for students with Rattler IDs.
animal, he or she will use puppets designed by Kyle.
Local San Antonian makes it to Survivor Fiji
By Karina Villa
-Managing Editor-
PHOTO COURTESY www.ritarverreos.com
Former Miss Venezuela contestant
Rita
Verreos
recently
competed in the Survivor TV
series, which took place on Fiji
Island. Verreos was a member
of the Ravu tribe and was the
fifth contestant to be voted off
the island. She is originally
from Venezuela and moved
to San Antonio with her two
children in 2003.
Verreos was recruited to
Survivor by casting director
Lynne Spillman at a beauty
pageant. Once she was on the
island, the lack of food and water took
its toll.
“It was really bad; we went days
without much food or water,” said
Varreos. “When we arrived on the island,
they told us which fish we could eat and
which ones were poisonous, but we
forgot. Some of the fish could paralyze
you or poison you in other ways if you
ate them, so we would rather go hungry
than take the risk.”
Rattler Restaurant Review
HuHot Mongolian Grill
Endless food combinations found at HuHot Mongolian Grill
By Jacqueline Mendez
-Copy EditorHuHot
Mongolian
Grill
offers
something a little different to the
adventurous diner. Its “efforts mirror
Genghis Khan’s attitude toward the
world,” according to the eatery’s
Web site.
Upon walking in, diners will
immediately feel welcomed by the casual,
comfortable atmosphere created by dark,
muted colors, snug booths and traditional
decorations. The wait staff is helpful and
personable, ready to explain exactly how
this distinctive restaurant operates.
Diners may order appetizers in addition
to basic staples of Asian cuisine, such as
Crab Rangoons and Egg Drop Soup. But
what makes the eatery a truly unique
experience lies in the way in which the
main courses are prepared.
After ordering drinks, diners advance
to the buffet. There, they load their bowls
with an assortment of meat, noodles
seafood and vegetables, topped with
With scarce amounts of food and
minimal water, Verreos and the other
contestants found themselves licking
rainwater off leaves after a
rain shower and eating snails
and crabs.
These
days,
Verreos
spends time traveling the
world as a spokesperson for
various charities.
However, her experience
on Survivor has had long-term
effects on her.
“To this day, I have to
continuously eat and drink
water. If I feel a little thirsty or
hungry, I start to panic and need
to find water and eat, or [I’ll] freak out,”
said Varreos.
One exception to her rule of eating is
to avoid snails and crabs.
five to six ladlefuls of either readymade
or create-your-own sauces. A large sign
hanging overhead displays recipes for
certain flavors created by mixing various
sauces together.
For example, the classic Sweet &
Sour can be made from Chinese noodles,
chicken or pork, onions, green peppers,
carrots and pineapple, crowned with
four ladles of Not-So-Sweet & Sour sauce
and one ladle of Samurai Teriyaki sauce
and sprinkled with coconut flakes or
sesame seeds.
The bowls, once filled to the point of
overflow, are handed off to the chefs,
who empty the contents to cook atop a
massive grill stationed in the middle of
the restaurant. Before long, the meals are
served on plates back to the diners, who
return to their tables to enjoy.
This process is repeated for each
individual meal. Since the restaurant
is an all-you-can-eat buffet, diners can
experiment with multiple dishes. Smaller
feasts, such as chicken strips and macaroni
and cheese with fries or fruit cups, are
also available for the younger generation
to enjoy.
The eatery also offers an array of
desserts, such as the Khan’s Cake and
Cheesecake Rangoons, a twist on a
classic favorite.
I recommend that everyone give this
unique experience a try at least once, and
I am sure that those who do will go back
for more.
The last day for priority registration is Friday, Nov. 9.
Location and
Hours of Operation
12710 IH 10 W Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78230
(210) 641-1288
Monday through Friday
Lunch, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Dinner, 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
10.31.2007
Features
7
the
Rattler
The Rattler speaks with the voice behind the recorder
Over the past 30 years, Professor of English and Communication Studies Richard
Pressman, Ph.D., has built quite the reputation with students.
Students often claim that his classes are demanding. While he has high expectations of his
students, students agree that they finish the semester as better writers despite any critism.
His teaching method has proven itself to be successful because students often sign up for his
classes due to the benefit of being taught by Pressman, which far outnumbers any doubts
students might have.
Although many people may not know Pressman outside of the classroom, it is easy to
see that he is a thoughtful person with a heart of gold. He loves his family and considers St.
Mary’s to be huge part of his life. He established the President’s Peace Commision and has
traveled the world. Yet, Pressman still has goals he has set for himself.
The Rattler sat down with Pressman and got to know a whole different side to the man
with the recorder.
Where did you earn your degrees?
PHOTO BY SABRINA SERVIN
Dr. Pressman reviews a student’s assignment with his tape recorder by his side.
What were you like as a child?
I was withdrawn and quiet. I liked playing
sports with kids in the neighborhood, but
never anything organized.
Describe your experience at St. Mary’s.
It has been a wonderful rollercoaster. St.
Mary’s has really given my life purpose,
so much purpose, in fact, that St. Mary’s is
heavily in my will.
I have a scholarship as a memorial for
my mother through St. Mary’s. I created
the President’s Peace Commision. I also
greatly admire the Marianist commitment
to bettering people’s lives.
Who is your favorite author?
Whoever I am reading at the time.
I graduated from Carnegie Mellon
University with a Bachelor of Science, Have you traveled anywhere
and I have a Ph.D. from Temple
exciting?
I went to Peru in 1986. I also had a
University in Printing Management.
Fullbright Fellowship, and in 1982 I
traveled to Nicaragua.
What is your favorite type of music?
I like jazz and classical music.
You have a certain mystique
about you; how do you react to
that?
It used to bother me until a student
of mine said I should be proud of
it. The people who will tell you to
take me have gotten their money’s
worth. Those people who tell you
not to take me are unable to handle
criticism. Again, those who take me
continue to take me for two or
three courses.
What is your favorite movie?
“Lawrence of Arabia.” The movie is visually
spectacular, and it’s a great story based on facts. There
are moments with symbolic insight. Lawrence is
viewed as a tragic hero. The movie is also
highly literary.
What are your goals for the future?
I’d like to publish a book and do whatever
I can to provide for my children’s futures;
nothing is more important to me.
What is the most romantic thing you have ever
done?
The wedding band that my wife and I wear reads:
“Siempre.” The “M” is in the shape of a heart.
What has been your proudest moment?
Adopting my children. They were both taken out of
third world countries and came from horrible lives.
There are no real records of their ages or births.
Brother Les brings worldwide experiences back home
Brother Lester Kaehler, S.M., known as
Brother Les, has had quite the experience
with the Marianist brotherhood. Although
he has never considered himself a
missionary, he has worked out of this
country for a total of 29 years. He has
been to at least four countries, met Mother
Teresa and been in terrorist territory
Why did you want to join the
I felt that this was an
opportunity to find out if
giving my life to God as a
Marianist would be the best
thing to do. Also, I wanted
to help young men like the
brothers had helped me in
high school.
in Peru.
While in Peru, he met Mother Teresa
in the ambassador of Peru’s home.
According to Brother Les, after she gave
a speech, crowds of people rushed up
to her, but he decided to wait. When he
finally got to her, she looked up and saw
his Marianist cross on his shirt. After that,
Brother Les chatted with Mother Teresa
about the Marianist brothers and their
work in India.
The Rattler sat down with Director of
the Marianist Residence Brother Les, to
discuss some of his experiences helping
communities and fellow Marianists
around the world.
How many different places, and where,
have you traveled to with the brotherhood?
I volunteered to go to Peru in 1980. I spent a
total of 10 years in Peru. Then, I was asked
to help in Chile for 11 years. Before that, I
was in Canada for four years from 1964 to
1968. I would go back and forth to where I
was needed. In 2002, I went to India to help
brothers over there and came back in January
of 2006.
Who is your hero?
My twin brother. We’re brothers,
but he helps remind me what it
means to be a good brother.Many of
the [Marianist] brothers who have
influenced my life, even until now,
are also heroes. They continue to do
the best that they can.
Brother Bio Box
Brother Lester Kaehler
“Bro. Les”
Born: June 28, 1938
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Joined the brotherhood
on Sept. 8, 1957
What did it feel like to split from your twin brother Len when
you joined the brotherhood?
We were very close. We’re different, though. He’s right-handed;
I’m left-handed. Ever since we were little, I was very competitive
with him. Not until high school did I realize that I didn’t need to
compete, but explore my own gifts. I wanted so much for him to
come with me, but I had to make this decision for myself. I was
at peace with it, even though it was hard to split. He has his life,
and I have mine, but we’re still the best of friends.
PHOTO BY KIMBERLY VELA
Brother Less won the MVP in a Canadian basketball
game when he was in his twenties.
Where will you travel to next?
I’m going to India to direct retreats
for young brothers who will make
their final vows in December.
Brother Les is currently in India and will travel to West Africa. He will be back Dec. 3.
Features
Rattler
My Latest Addiction
By Dyana Garcia
-Staff WriterI am no different from most
addicts. It took me months to
come to grips with my hopeless
addiction. Even now, I try
desperately to pretend that I am
not hooked on YouTube.com.
Too many hours of my
life are spent glued to the
computer; yet, I still insist that
my addiction is justified. Where
else am I going to find videos
of my favorite cartoons, such as
Family Guy, Invader Zim and Ren
and Stimpy?
There is something
innately
comforting
about being able to find
just about anything
on YouTube.com. My most
recent YouTube.com marathon
consisted of five hours spent
watching videos about cake
decoration. The previous night, I
had been hypnotized by a video
of diehard Britney Spears fan
Chris Crocker along with some
of the funniest commercials I
had ever seen.
Last week, I found myself
waking up early in the morning
to finish watching Discovery
Channel’s A Haunting.
I think my obsession can be
blamed on the fact that I do not
have a TV in my room. YouTube.
com is my way of connecting
10.31.2007
the
8
with the outside world. It is also
a window to the past because I
can search for all the shows that
I used to watch as a kid.
The
downside
to
my
addiction is that it spawns new,
random obsessions in my life.
For instance, I have recently
become fascinated with a little
jewel called “Belle.” The song
is part of the 1998 production
of the musical “Notre Dame
de Paris.”
The song was originally
performed by Garou, Patric
Fiori and Daniel Lavoie; it has
been translated from its
original French version
into many languages,
including
Italian,
Russian and Spanish.
Needless to say, I have
listened to it hundreds of times.
My personal favorites are the
French and Russian versions. I
have also found the song used
in various contexts on YouTube.
com, such as “Final Fantasy
VIII,” “Harry Potter,” “Lord
of the Rings” and a hilarious
dedication to the cast of
American Idol.
I have no problem coming
out to declare my love for this
Web site. YouTube.com occupies
my time, introduces me to new
things and gives me something
new and exciting to look forward
to every day.
LEE J. CORKILL, JR, 78, a
resident of the Armed Forces
Retirement Home in Washington,
DC died Saturday, October 13,
2007. Lee was born in Chicago, IL
in 1929 and lived during his youth
in San Antonio, TX. He attended
Jefferson High School and later
graduated in 1950 from St. Mary’s
University, where he served as
editor of The Rattler from 1949-50.
Lee received his masters of science
& journalism at Northwestern
University in 1959. Lee served
during the Korean War, with Baker
Co.15th Inf. Reg. 3rd Div., and was
awarded the Purple Heart and
Silver Star for valor. When not
dodging bullets Lee reported for
the Army’s Public Information
Office (PIO) while in Korea. His
business career spanned 30+
years as an associate editor with
Morrison Knudsen Corp. in Idaho;
in Houston, TX as Editor at Exxon
Oil Company (Humble Oil & Enco)
and Gulf Publishing Company.
Later in life Lee earned his license
in counseling where his career
included Director of Herman
Hospital Alcohol Rehabilitation
Center in Houston, then private
practice & work with area halfway
houses. Lee was an avid art
painter with a special focus on oils
and was a member of SRF Church.
Lee will be missed by his sons
Kevan & Vann Corkill, daughter
Nan Sutherland, grand-daughter
Stephanie
Sutherland,
stepdaughters Tralene Vassilopoulos
Corkill, Past ‘Rattler’ Editor,
Awarded Silver Star in Korea
Lee Corkill, who carried The
Rattler to an All-American rating
in the Associated Collegiate Press
newspaper survey during his tenure
as editor in 1949-50, recently received
the Silver Star (the third highest U.S.
award for heroism in combat) and the
Purple Heart.
Corkill was inducted into the
Lee Corkill
military service shortly after his b a r r a g e
followed by
graduation from St. Mary’s in May,
an overwhelming hostile attack.
1950, and after a brief period of
“Having gained the high ground
training at Fort Riley, Kansas, was sent
overlooking the company’s positions,
to Korea.
the foe sent two of his soldiers to a
Assigned there to the Army’s point from which they pinned down a
Third Division, he has spent almost platoon with lethal grenade fire.
all of 1951 with front-line troops as
“Pfc. Corkill, on outpost duty
an infantryman and has engaged in a
in front of his unit, left his foxhole,
great deal of heavy fighting around the
crawled toward the two hostile
now famous “Iron Triangle.”
grenade throwers and, undaunted
Excerpts of the official citation
by wounds received from grenade
awarding Corkill the Silver Star fragments, destroyed them with his
follow:
rifle and bayonet, thus removing a
“…During the morning hours of serious threat to the defense hill.
darkness on 26 August 1951, Company
“Pfc.
Corkill’s
audacious
‘B’, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division,
aggressiveness and gallantry reflect
U.S. Army, was occupying defensive the highest credit upon himself and
positions on Hill 266, which was being the military service…”
used as a patrol base, when it was
subjected to a hostile artillery
December 14, 1951
& Joy Welch, step-granddaughter
Laura
Welch,
friends
and
extended family. Funeral services
are Friday, November 2, at
9:30 am at Arlington National
Ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the
family requests contributions can
Visit us on the Web at www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
be made to the Lee J. Corkill, Jr.
Memorial Fund, 14103 Bay Vista
Dr., #203, Woodbridge, VA 22191.
Proceeds will benefit the veterans
at the AFRH-W in DC where Lee
lived for 14 years. Arrangements
entrusted to ROBERT G. MASON
10.31.2007
the
Rattler
Features
9
Thank you Physical Plant Staff!
Facilities Administrator
Housekeeping
William Tam
Front Office
Claudia Alonzo
Sylvia Gill
Diana Gomez
Roman Passement
Maria Rodriguez
Grounds
Michael Pankey,
Superintendent
David Campos
Roland Chavez
Melvin Dornak
Patricia Helton
Ruben Huerta
Barry Johnson-Rivera
David Ramire, Superintendent
Gerald Jonas
Maria Dolorez Zazala, Receiving
Adolfo Maldonado
Alice Barrientes
Isidro Martinez
Steven Borrego
Brenda Mendez
Rosary Bustamante
Elena Morales
Juanita Cadena
Jerry Moya
Michael Casias
Ida Nuncio
Maria Castillo
Douglas Oberlin
Eloy Cisneros
Angie Ortegon
Veronica Cruz
Abelina Ovalle
Michael Curliss
Jesusa Perez
Maria Delgado
Raymundo Reyes
Maria Guadalupe Escamilla
Pete Rivera
Anna Marie Escobedo
Mary Jane Sanchez
Evangelina Flores
Dolores Santillan
Henry Gonzalez
John Schwartz
Irma Guedea
Graciela Soto
Consuelo Harrison
Irma Trujillo
Grace Hernandez
Norma Valle
Genevieve Huerta
Juanita Vazquez
Skilled Crafts
Daniel Knichel
Ernest Martinez
Luis Rodriguez, Manager
Pedro Noyola
Fernando Mireles
Timothy McCormick, Manager
Juan Ojeda
Henry Olmos
John David Camp
Kenneth Petrie
Frank Palacios
Glenn Coffey
David Resendez
Carlos Sanchez
Jacob Fewell
Christopher Reyes
Joseph Slezak
Jose Garcia
Hector Rodriguez
Jesse Trevino
Joe Guzman
William (Bill) Roeller
Robert Trujillo
Stephen Leal
Dirk Rogers
Augustus Vangelakos
Tinotenda Madyara
Joe Sanchez
John Mancillas
Mark Sanchez
Ivan Martinez
Ronald Sturdivant
Jose Medrano
Gustavo Tellez
Jesse Mendoza
Robert Tellez
Fred Montes
James Torres
Greg Musquez
MacArthur Walker
Mailroom/Duplicating
Antonio Guzman, Manager
George Esquivel
Roland Guerra
Leonard Naranjo
Contributed by SGA
Visit us on the web at www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
Features
Campus myths laid to rest
Rattler
10.31.2007
the
10
PHOTO COMPOSITION BY AMANDA RODRIGUEZ AND VIVIAN ESPARZA
Some spectators may feel uneasy about the on-campus graveyard, but any Rattler knows it is an
extention of our beloved St. Mary’s family.
By Elizabeth Pena & Katie O’Donnell
-Features Editor-
-Staff Writer-
St. Mary’s University has been the setting in
many stories of strange happenings since it was built
in 1852. As the oldest, largest Catholic institution in
Southwest Texas, it is hard to believe that it may
be haunted.
However, some have experienced or heard
of unexplainable events that have occurred
on campus.
“I’ve heard that Reinbolt [Hall] and Pecan Grove
are haunted,” said senior biology major Patrick
Garcia.
Stories have been passed down for generations
without proof that the events actually happened.
Students may be familiar with the story of St. Louis
Hall being haunted.
“I heard that, in the top floor of the building,
there was a workout room for the brothers. One day,
a brother was using the [gymnastic] rings; while
he was using them, his neck broke, and he died up
there,” said junior history major Melissa Chavez.
Urban legends like this are usually supported
with little to no evidence and are often obscure.
However, there is one story that is true, spooky
and unique.
According to Father George Montague, S.M.,
Chaminade Tower was destroyed by lightning in
May 1966. Although lightning striking the roof could
be considered a coincidence, Montague’s experience
paints a different picture.
“In 1966, Time printed a magazine with a plain,
black page and red letters that [spelled], ‘Is God
Dead?’ A biology student went to the deck of the
building during the thunderstorm and said, ‘If there
is a God, show me!’” said Montague. “Seconds later,
lightning struck the corner of the building, and about
150 pounds of brick fell.”
Montague also stated that after the lightning
struck, the student immediately ran into the chapel,
repeatedly saying, “I didn’t mean it.”
“I don’t think he’ll ever ask that question again,”
Montague said.
Many people question ghosts, the supernatural or
haunted buildings. Some believe, some are unsure
and some do not believe in any of it.
“I watch A Haunting on the Discovery Channel,
so now, I’m less skeptical of the supernatural,”
Garcia said.
Although some strange incidents may always
remain unsolved, others receive explanations.
“The strangest thing I’ve seen on campus is
lightning hitting the front of the gym and Chaminade
Tower twice; it’s a natural effect of the weather, but
[it’s] still spooky enough,” Montague said.
Montague has seen some strange occurrences
throughout his life; he has had to bless homes
and hold mass in the houses of people who feel
they need it. People may feel scared; during the
Halloween season, strange events can seem to be
more prominent.
Montague has words of advice to ease the
nerves of those who feel that they have experienced
anything out of the ordinary.
“As priests, we ask, ‘Are you living your life
in faith? Are you using the sacraments?’ If not,
you’re subject to more demonic occurrences,”
Montague said.
For the most part, we should all rest assured that
St. Mary’s is a peaceful place.
“The Blessed Mother is looking over us and has
blessed our campus,” Montague said.
These words should give comfort to anyone
who questions ghosts, haunted buildings or
strange feelings.
PHOTO BY VIVIAN ESPARZA
Debris from Chaminade Tower covered the sidewalks below the building
in 2007. The same occurence happened over 40 years ago.
PHOTO BY VIVIAN ESPARZA
In August 2007, the corner of
Chaminade Tower was hit by lightning.
What are you going to be for Halloween?
“I’m going
to be
Blossom
from the
Power Puff
Girls.”
Sophomore
psychology major
Evelyn Azuela
R.I.P.
“I’m going
to be a
pirate so
that I
can say
‘ARRR!’”
Junior computer
science major
Robert Vadney
R.I.P.
“I’m going to be
Robin.”
Senior, Senior
english English/
“I’m
going to be Batman.”
Senior English/
communication arts
major Steven Sifuentes
R.I.P.
“I’m going
to be
Wonder
Woman.”
Senior biology major
Mariana Martinez
R.I.P.
The day after Halloween is the best day to buy a costume. Most stores reduce prices by up to 50 percent.
“I’m going
to be a
sexy bee.”
Junior business major
Karla Liedtke
R.I.P.
Entertainment
Rattler
11
the
10.31.2007
See
no evil,
Hear
no evil,
Speak
no evil:
ILLUSTRATIONS BY JON MIKE HERNANDEZ
We’ve got a bone to pick with these so-called scary movies.
“Cabin Fever”
Congratulations to anyone who could sit
through the 93 minutes of genre confusion,
unnecessary gore and plain stupidity that
makes up “Cabin Fever.”
The first problem with this movie is that
its genre is never clearly defined for the
audience. According to writer/director Eli
Roth, “Cabin Fever” was a tribute to B horror
movies like “Evil Dead,” “Evil Dead II” and
“Army of Darkness.”
However, it was hard to determine if the
scenes warranted laughter or disgust.
The gore of the flesh-eating virus and the
ridiculous reactions of the characters could
easily place this movie into the honorable
category of B horror films, if it were not for
the scenes that were added in to “modernize”
the genre.
The sex scenes were unnecessary,
the shower scene created a lasting fear
of shaving and the Listerine scene is
almost unmentionable.
The biggest problem with this film was
the hype that preceded the opening. Horror
fans everywhere were thrilled and made it
the highest grossing horror film of 2003. Peter
Jackson even openly publicized the movie.
The one redeeming quality of “Cabin
Fever” is the ability to watch it on TV and on
DVD. To make this film worthwhile, gather a
group of friends, openly criticize, laugh and
gag where appropriate.
Thank you, Eli Roth, for this disgusting,
over-hyped and ridiculous excuse for a
horror film; without your efforts, 2003 would
have been a little less disappointing.
By Dominique Vargas
-News Editor-
“Dead Alive”
“Halloween”
With a basement full of tranquilized
zombies, a sultry Spanish mamacita and a
sympathetic, yet oddly disturbing storyline,
“Dead Alive” offers more than most lowbudget terror movies.
As far as film quality goes, this movie
will never top any charts.
However, if a horribly-bad, disgustinglygood film is desired, look no further than
“Dead Alive.”
Protagonist Lionel Cosgrove (Timothy
Balme) loves his mother to death, or rather,
beyond death. After being bitten by an
infected rat-monkey, Cosgrove’s mother
begins to deteriorate into a zombie.
Out of sheer love for his mother, though,
Cosgrove attempts to keep her alive, despite
her living-dead state with the aid of pet
tranquilizers. He wants to live a quiet life
with his newfound love and grocery girl
Paquita Maria Sanchez (Diana Penalver),
but he discovers that managing zombies is
harder than he thought.
“Dead Alive” makes up with creativeness
where it lacks in special effects, plot,
acting and quality. Scenes of body parts in
blenders, puss-filled infections and even
an undead baby that resembles a nasty
Cabbage Patch kid add to the charm of
the film.
Director Peter Jackson (“The Frighteners,”
“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy) and writer
Stephen Sinclair (“The Lord of the Rings:
Two Towers”) merge their talents in order to
make a non-thrilling, yet quaint movie with
as much heart as it has guts and blood.
One of the worst Halloween movies
ever made, and continues to be remade,
is none other than “Halloween.”
Remakes, sequels and prequels of
the “Halloween” series disappoint all
around. Even Rob Zombie’s rendition of
what turned Michael into the pointless
killing machine he became did not
redeem the film’s legacy.
All the movies seem to have the same,
recurring theme of having dimwitted
prey, pointless sex and pointless murders
every 15 minutes.
Left and right, Michael Meyers
murders half-naked women who were
too dumb to run away in the first place.
Despite the intense violence that already
surrounds each plot, the films seem to
always feature more guts, blood and
breasts than any film needs.
The mere fact that anyone could see
Michael as scary is hard to believe.
Honestly, the man walks unbearably
slow and continues to die countless
times within the realm of “Halloween”
cinematic adventures.
What audience can believe that he can
even catch up with his victims, let alone
capture and kill them? Even though he’s
not superhuman, he always seems to
come back without a scratch.
Although these movies seem to be a
classic to watch every Halloween night,
the ludicrousness of it all just makes it
one of the most boring movies I have
ever seen in the horror film genre.
By Kimberly Vela
-Editor in Chief-
By Nancy Perez
-Staff Writer-
Let’s be friends. Visit www.myspace.com/rattlernews.
Entertainment
Rattler
10.31.2007
the
12
Film roars about American political corruption
Blast
Fr o m T h e
PAS T
By Selena San Miguel
-Entertainment EditorWhen I was growing up, Halloween was my
favorite holiday. The thought of scaring my brother
by creeping around the couch was always worth more
than what Santa could bring me. Perhaps that’s why
I loved the frail and dusty cryptkeeper from the TV
series Tales from the Crypt.
Every time the show aired, I would curl under
my covers, huddle up next to my dad and watch the
goolish goblin pop out of his casket with that highpitched laugh.
The undead host would welcome his viewers every
episode, always dressed accorrdingly to the evening’s
tale. I distinctly remember one episode that featured
the walking skeleton in a French oufit. His scraggly
white hair had managed to be combed back.
He always had a place to insert clever little puns
that would give away the end of the story.
Little did I know the guest actors were soon to be
Hollywood’s regulars on the red carpet.
The show would haunt me. Yet, I couldn’t help
tuning in every week. Feeling my heart beat out of
my chest and pulsating in my head gave me a thrill
like no other.
I guess this would explain my addiction to
horror movies.
Nevertheless, I secretly hope the scary skeleton
would appear on my screen once again.
COURTESY PHOTO
“I need you to answer this question to the best of your knowledge: Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?”
Lions for Lambs
★★★★
Dir. by Robert Redford
Starring Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise
By Dominique Vargas
-News EditorApathetic Americans who feel discouraged and
disenfranchised, and who have lost their faith in the
federal government due to corruption and controversy,
should see “Lions for Lambs.”
The film effectively uses parallel montage to tie
three distinct storylines together into a succinct and
cohesive narrative.
The whole movie takes place within the time frame
of an hour and a half, and while the plots do not directly
affect each other, they in essence embody different sides
of a debate.
The first storyline is that of an hour-long meeting
between political science professor Dr. Stephen Malley
(Robert Redford) and Todd Hayes (Andrew Garfield),
his most promising, albeit apathetic student.
The second storyline is an hour-long interview
between influential republican Senator Jasper Irving
(Tom Cruise) and Janine Roth (Meryl Streep).
The two plots are brought together by the story of
two soldiers (Michael Pena and Derek Luke) who are
former students of Malley’s and part of Irving’s new
strategy to win the war in Afghanistan.
The movie is remarkably simplistic in execution but
is able to convey a simple message.
Through the portrayal of current events, writer/
producer Matthew Michael Carnahan and director
Robert Redford urge apathetic and discouraged
Americans to vote and engage in civil service.
The film seems conscious of the fact that celebrities
who impose their political positions on the general
public are inappropriate and urges viewers to make
their own decisions and become involved.
“Lions for Lambs” premieres in theaters on Nov. 9.
“Life’s no fun without a good scare...in our town of Halloween.” – “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
10.31.2007
Entertainment
13
the
Rattler
Carraba fans line up for
solo acoustic stylings
Halloween cartoons remain
timeless in adults’ hearts
Entertainment Editorial
Dashboard Confessional frontman Chris Carraba performs in the limelight.
-Staff WriterDashboard Confessional with
lead singer Chris Carraba finally
made it back to Austin, Texas, on
Oct. 7.
However,
something
was
different: Besides the new opening
bands, Carraba came solo, just him
and his guitar in the spotlight. The
band had not done this in years.
The show started at 7 p.m., but
people had been lined up outside
La Zona Rosa since about 11 a.m.
The sold-out audience listened
to the two opening bands: John
Ralston, a group similar to
Dashboard Confessional, kept the
crowd going with its songs, and
Augustana helped spectators to
forget about the heat and the long
wait for the main attraction with
its members’ contagious energy.
Dashboard Confessional—or,
rather, Carraba took the stage
at about 9:30 p.m., opening
with oldies.
Taking requests from the
audience, he went back to some
of the songs from his EP records,
including “Anyone, Anyone,” to
which he sang different words.
He later wrote in his Web log,
“I wrote that song nine years
ago; I’m just glad I even
remember it exists!”
It was a treat for
the diehard fans to
hear the classics that
made
Dashboard
Confessional the band
it has become. Other
songs
included:
“Remember
to
Breath,” “Screaming
Infidelities,”
“Vindicated,” “Dusk
and Summer,” “Age Six Racer,”
“The Sharp Hint of New Tears”
and many more.
A week before the show,
Dashboard Confessional had
released The Shade of Poison Trees,
an album packed with acoustics
similar to Carraba’s older works;
however, the mood differs.
The
CD
was
promoted
throughout the concert, as Carraba
played a few of its featured songs,
such as “Where There’s Gold...”
and “Thick as Thieves.”
After about two
hours of nonstop,
sing-along songs
amidst
crazy
fans, Dashboard
Confessional
s a i d
goodnight to Austin.
However, the cheers and
prolonged applause for an encore
brought the band back to play two
more songs: “The Best Deceptions”
and “Hands Down.” The crowd
was satisfied, and many rushed
to the side exit to catch a glimpse
of Carraba as he left alongside his
band mates.
This show was one of the best
shows to date that I have attended.
Carraba’s solo tour was a dream
come true. Though I would
like to have seen the entire
band, it did not fail to
satisfy the fans who
had waited almost
seven hours in
addition to me,
who had traveled
an extra hour to be
in the same room
with him.
PHOTO BY MELODY MEJIA
By Melody Mejia
By Gina Buffaloe
-Staff WriterBesides tricks, treats and
the joy of being someone or
something you are not, now
is the season for the beloved
cartoon Halloween specials.
However, we are adults with
maturing tastes and various
interests, so not just any cartoon
Halloween special will suffice.
There are many Halloween
specials on TV, but only the good
ones return.
Take The Simspons, for
example, as it is still thriving
today in American culture.
Growing up with such a beloved
cartoon series can only mean
highly anticipated Halloween
specials, at least for a while.
The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror
series consists of three short
stories that parody classic horror
films or are original comedies.
Even if some of the shorts are not
as entertaining, there are other
potential stories in that hour.
“It’s the Great Pumpkin,
Charlie Brown” appeared in
1966. It is a classic Halloween
cartoon even for our generation.
Remember Linus waiting loyally
for the Great Pumpkin to appear
and Charlie Brown cutting
dozens of holes in his sheet for
the ghost costume?
Even Snoopy dresses up in his
World War II flying ace uniform
and loses a fight to the Red
Baron. After the Great Pumpkin
never showed, Linus convinced
himself that the Great Pumpkin
would come next year.
Now,
consider
strange
people committing crimes in
overzealous outfits while trying
to scare people into believing
monsters are real. Scooby Doo,
Where are You! is not only a year
round cartoon with Halloween
flair; it is also classic cartoon
most people can look back on.
Sure, everything went down
hill when children realized that
the plot never changes and
that the pretentious Scrappy
Doo had come along to steal
the limelight.
Even though we have grown
out of watching most cartoons,
there are still some of us who
cannot help but watch a few
every now and then.
Adult Swim has become a
popular network segment over
the years, bringing more and
more viewers to watch various
anime series as well as more
relatable cartoons to American
culture, such as Family Guy,
Futurama, and in particular,
Robot Chicken.
For the inner child in all of
us, there are newer cartoons
intended for younger audiences
that also have Halloween flair.
The Grim Adventures of Billy
and Mandy, for instance, has
characters like the Grim Reaper,
the aged characters of Dracula,
Frankenstein, Wolf Man and a
not-so-scary boogie man, and
the show also features parodies
to music, such as “Thriller” and
music from “The Little Shop of
Horrors” as well as music done
by the artist Voltaire.
Danny Phantom is also
another cartoon about a teenage
boy who is half-boy and halfghost. Intended to be more like
a superhero, he battles ghosts
and ghouls with the help of his
friends and family.
Whether you are waiting for
the same old Halloween special
that shows every year, or you are
wondering what your favorite
cartoon series will come up with
next, take comfort in knowing
Halloween specials will not be
in short supply this season.
English rockers Radiohead release second picture book of artwork
By Selena San Miguel
-Entertainment EditorFor the Radiohead fans of the world, the
first edition of Dead Children Playing, a book
of album work by Stanley Donwood and
Dr. Tchock (the alter ego of frontman Thom
Yorke), the sell-out of the picture book
was devastating.
Loyal rockers need not to fear; the
chance for redemption has arrived with
the second edition of the famous artist
duo’s compilation.
The second edition features neverbefore-seen artwork and artwork from the
pair over the past 10 years.
Since the release of their album Amnesiac
in 2002, the artwork featured with the
band has become as influential as the
English rockers themselves. The images
eventually won the two a Grammy Award
for Best Packaging/Artwork for the
album Amnesiac.
The pages are filled with striking
images of acrylic on canvas divided with
commentary by both authors.
Dead Children Playing is available for
$15.95 at local bookstores.
IMAGE BY STANLEY DONWOOD AND DR. TCHOCK
It seems like Radiohead frontman’s alter ego Dr. Tchock and fellow artist Stanley Donwood have more than just a few words to say with this 150 cm by 150 cm art piece “Santa Monica.”
“We all go a little mad sometimes.”– “Psycho”
Entertainment
Rattler
14
the
10.31.2007
Student escorts Silverstein to in-store signing session
By Steph Sanders
-Staff WriterPost-hardcore
rock
band
Silverstein
lightened
spirits
in San Antonio fans at FYE at
Ingram Park Mall on Sept. 18 after
lingering admirers had convinced
themselves that the quintet had
backed out of the in-store signing
hours before its sold-out show
with From Autumn to Ashes.
The quintet, scheduled to sign
at 5 p.m., reached its destination
over an hour late due to a preshow dilemma occurring at the
White Rabbit moments before
pick-up time.
Welcoming the band to the
store and having it meet with
a crowd of over a hundred
Silverstein supporters was the
easy part. Picking the guys up and
transporting them to FYE did not
run as smoothly.
I rendezvoused with the tour
bus at 4:15 p.m., hoping to depart
within the next few minutes
and beat San Antonio’s traffic.
Apparently, the sound check had
taken a little longer than expected,
and the band members requested
to leave after the runner returned
with their food. Tour manager
Jeremy
Holgersen
explained
the slight change in plans and
apologized for the inconvenience,
taking full responsibility for the
problem at hand.
While I attempted to assure him
that everything was fine, I chatted
with Holgersen.
He gave me quite an insight to
these Canadian rockers, something
much appreciated since I had
planned on driving with half of
them in my car.
“These are great guys, but I
hate Canada,” said Holgersen. “I
love these guys to death, but I hate
that place.”
Holgersen returned to the bus,
and I hoped that the band would
be following behind him when he
stepped back out.
After a long hour and 15minute wait in the sun, Shane
Told, Paul Koehler, Bill Hamilton,
Neil Boshart and Josh Bradford
exited the bus with looks on their
faces as if to say, “Let’s get this
show on the road.”
Koehler, Told and Hamilton
made their way to my 1999 Crown
Victoria LX. Their main concern
was their fans.
I assured them that fans had
been waiting since 1 p.m. to meet
the group and not to worry.
There was never a dull moment
in the drive. It was no surprise as
to what we all talked about: music.
Singing along to Gwen Stefani and
Kanye West, we discussed current
music and reviews of new albums
and artists.
Their sense of humor appealed
to my tastes and made the drive
quite comfortable.
Also, Told and drummer
Koehler interested me in their
conversation
about
possible
bands with whom they would
like to tour, such as Melee and As
Cities Burn.
Before we knew it, we had
safely and law-abidingly made
it to Ingram Park Mall. The guys
anticipated the sight of their fans
as we walked in through the
Luby’s entrance. The tension from
earlier had ceased.
The crowd went wild; the
brigade of music-lovers whisked
through each member, most
returning to the lines for a quick
picture or another signing of the
band’s most recent album Arrivals
and Departures.
Interestingly enough, the title fit
the day’s series of events perfectly.
The band could have arrived two
or three hours late, and fans would
still have been waiting in line until
the time of their set.
Silverstein signed for an hour
before returning to the White
Rabbit, where even more fans were
waiting patiently and excitedly for
the band to hit the stage.
PHOTO BY STEPH SANDERS
Silverstein hates being late to gigs but loves pleasing their fans with free autograph sessions.
Visit us on the Web at www.stmarytx.edu/rattler.
Commentary
Rattler
10.31.2007
the
15
Iranian president strains U. S. relations in recent speech
Two speeches by President of Iran Mahmoud the Palestinian crisis and Iranian nuclear program
Ahmadinejad had the effect of a bomb’s explosion in became more intense, and the political relationship
world politics through shocking claims between Iran and the United States shifted from bad
that Ahmadinejad had divided the world to worse.
into two opposing camps: for Iran and
It is still unclear as to why the Iranian president chose
against Iran.
such an aggressive position. His speech can be considered as
T h e
an open challenge to the U.S. government, which
main points
can worsen the already strained relationship
made
by
between the two powers.
Gladys
Abieva
the Iranian
Moreover, his speech also had an anti-Semitic
president were that the
character; Ahmadinejad had declared that Israel
State of Israel should be
should be eliminated as a state.
eliminated; that there is a
This statement turned even friendly
“widespread violation of
nations against his country. For
human rights by certain
example, Russia had supported
powers; that Iran would
Iran, but it has no wish to do so
not follow directions set by
now, as its minister of foreign
the Security Council, which
affairs declared this claim to be
is under complete control
“absolutely inappropriate.”
of “certain powers;” and
The heads of Muslim communities
that “most of the violations
all over the world also do not support
of international obligations
Ahmadinejad: “In the 21st Century,
are committed by a few
such claims as necessity to wipe Israel
global powers.”
off the face of the earth are absolutely
PHOTO COURTESY OF www.globalsecurity.org
After these speeches,
unacceptable—it is a call for
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
the
debate
about offends many with recent statements.
a war.”
Ahmadinejad also almost denied the occurrence of the
Holocaust, which was tactless and thoughtless because
no other human tragedy has as many documents as the
Holocaust does.
Most of the points made by Ahmadinejad do not fit in
the frame of the modern democratic mind. The worst aspect
of this crisis is that no one knows what consequences it
may have.
We can only hope that it will not lead to another war, that
the world leaders will find a way to resolve it in a peaceful,
tolerant and democratic way.
t
h
Lig
YouTube projects stereotypes
Works
Online videos reinforce negative messages to users.
One of the newest hobbies that people seem to have
nowadays is a Web site by the name of YouTube.com.
Whether they spend countless hours in
front of their computer screens to watch
videos or to make videos to post, it
seems that people cannot get enough of
the Web site.
I, for one, cannot complain because it
is an amusing Web site that I find myself
Nancy
Perez
browsing almost everyday.
The only true gripe that I have
with it is the amount of videos that people post about
themselves. Its growing popularity is mostly caused by
people who think that others in the world have a desire
to hear what they have to say.
Most of the top videos are nothing more than people
acting stupid or saying stupid things to attract attention
to themselves. It does not matter if it is negative
PHOTO COURTESY www.youtube.com
attention; so long as they have it, they will keep on
posting more videos.
Another problem I see is that stereotypes tied
not only to cliques, but also to age, gender and race
are becoming more prominent because people are
opening themselves up to it.
For example, the YouTube.com video in which
Chris Crocker is crying about Britney Spears has been
given so much attention that it was even featured on
the news.
We do not like it when people from other countries
automatically think we are stupid and unproductive;
however, when we give that much publicity to
something so insignificant, what else are they
to think?
They are going to see it as a video that proves
the negative stereotype that will follow U.S. citizens
wherever they go.
YouTube.com, like most other Web sites, can be a
useful remedy for boredom. Yet, I think we have reason
to worry when people get serious about how famous
they feel because 1,000 people have viewed their clip;
it is showing our younger generations that, so long as
you have a camera and can do something stupid, you
can become famous in the blink of an eye.
If you want to post videos of yourself, go ahead,
but think about what it is that you are posting. If
it is something that will only add fuel to the fire of
stereotypes, I see no reason as to why people should
get mad the next time they are called out on it.
Chris Crocker as seen in his online video.
Sisters protect one another
While watching VH1’s Best Week
Ever about two weeks ago, I saw the
story of Jamie Lynn Spears protecting
her older sister
Britney Spears.
As
the
two
sisters were going
out
to
dinner,
surrounded by the
paparazzi, a local
Jasmine
woman had the
Garcia
courage to yell out
to Britney, “Nobody wants you in
this neighborhood. You’re making
the neighborhood unsafe.” I was
shocked at Jamie Lynn’s response,
but at the same time, I was happy
for what she did for her older sister.
I then asked myself if my own
little sister would do the same for
me. I wondered if she would stand
up for me if I was ever in a situation
like that. I longed for an answer, so
I simply asked her myself: “Would
you stand up for me like that?”
Not even a two-second pause
had passed before she replied, “Yes!
I would punch them. I’m always
ready to defend you if someone
ever did something to you.”
That response made my night. It
made me happy to hear from my own
little sister that she was more than
willing to stand up for me whenever I
needed her.
A 14-year-old girl who is a
freshman in high school is protective
of her almost 19-year-old sister who
is a freshman in college.
It is not bad to be protective of
your siblings. After all, they are the
ones who know you the best and
see you go through the toughest
times. I am also protective of
my sister.
Last year, I was furious when
I first heard that some little boy
had pushed her, knocking out her
tooth. I had known that something
was wrong before I got the call
from my dad telling me that he
would be picking me up instead
of my mom because something
had happened with my sister.
“Having a sister is like having
a best friend you can’t get rid
of. You know whatever you do,
they’ll still be there, Amy Li Said
By Sarah Linares
Dinner for one
You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with,
Wayne Dyer said.
I challenge you to become your own best company. Be forewarned
that not all solitary situations will be entirely pleasant; trust me
when I say that the end result will be worthwhile.
There are many instances in which solitude thrusts her heavy
presence upon us. We all face such moments, whether they arrive as
a result of a delayed flight or unexpectedly cancelled plans.
This past May marked the anniversary of the first time I
lived alone.
Three years ago, I eagerly agreed to housesit for a friend,
anticipating days and nights filled with the blissful nothingness
of summer. The sweltering days chronicled the growth of my
independence and fueled the discovery of a favorite pastime:
passing time alone.
Admittedly, it was tough until I uncovered the mystery of
meal preparations. Living alone proved to be a truly rewarding
experience. I learned about myself in light of, well, myself.
Events such as trips to the grocery store, doctor’s waiting room
visits and the seemingly mundane task of walking to the mailbox
were previously marked by the prime presence of another.
Three years later, I now embark on many companionless journeys
with cultured confidence.
I treasure the time spent at my favorite local theatre, in which a
soda and popcorn for one is all that this girl requires.
Occasionally, I enjoy passing my time in pet stores, although
my recent addiction to aquatic life has become an expensive one.
Visiting with kittens, sifting through pre-owned literature and
escorting my thoughts along the River Walk are all enjoyable
activities approached solo.
Judging by sympathetic smiles received, however, there is
one less discreet activity that seems to defy the social norm; this
audacious activity is none other than dining alone.
As I sit singly secured at a table for two or more, others gaze
ever so casually and repeatedly at “the poor girl who must have
been stood up.” I was astonished by how many looks of this sort
I received a few days ago, having been seduced by the red and
yellow sign of a local Luby’s.
I was asked twice by separate waiters if I was expecting anyone.
Even a nearby toddler set his confused gaze upon me from time
to time. The truth of the matter is that I find such situations to be
entirely magnetic.
In no other realm of my life can I sit as mysteriously as I do while
others wonder why I do so. Because I am happy with whom I sit, I
sit happily. I challenge you to do the same.
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”- Helen Keller
Commentary
Rattler
10.31.2007
the
16
Before judging others, learn to speak own language correctly
On the list of requirements to be a Mexican, I am sure
the first one is to speak Spanish, and the second one is
to speak it daily. I am a fake Mexican, for I have never
acquired the language, despite my family’s
many attempts to teach me.
CNN recently covered the national
debate over whether or not English should
be the official language of the United States;
the TV show covered a Miami community
in which nearly everyone spoke Spanish
Xavier
Perez
and a New Hampshire community in
which parents were placing their children in Spanishspeaking elementary schools to teach them Spanish. The
program showed cities attempting to ban immigrants
from renting or working in their communities while still
accommodating those who spoke English.
The show made me wonder why I had lost the language
of my culture, why there were many other Latinos like
myself who did not
know Spanish. I do
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
not know how to
POLICY
speak Spanish, but
The Rattler welcomes letters to the
I have managed to
editor. Letters should not exceed 300
live in a Spanishwords and must include writer’s name,
classification, major and telephone
speaking town and to
number.
survive a Spanish-
yelling mother.
We are a country filled with immigrants who speak
many languages, who have collectively become the
greatest nation on Earth. I am still puzzled as to why we
are even talking about an official language; I hardly think
that English was ever the language spoken by the entire
population at any time in American history.
CNN’s program pointed out people’s expressed
frustration when attempting to do business with a company
whose employees could not speak English; I must admit
to my own frustration when coming across people who
do not speak English or people who assume I can speak
Spanish. Perhaps Americans want to make their shopping
days easier while businesses do not want to do anything to
lose their customers.
We have been taught that speaking more than one
language is a sign that you are educated. Our high
school curriculum calls for basic knowledge of a second
language; in college, most degrees also require credits in a
second language.
You would think that the citizens of the United States
would gladly learn to speak Spanish, to speak as many
languages as possible in order to maximize their ability to
benefit from foreign people coming to our country. Most
of the jobs for which we will apply view speaking another
language as a competitive skill, and I am sure it is not
difficult to learn when taking someone’s land or exploiting
someone’s labor.
I recently asked my mother why she had not taught me
Spanish. She expressed to me that, in the 50s and 60s when
she was in school, the teachers would discipline anyone
who was caught speaking Spanish. She had decided that
English would be the language her children world learn in
order to prevent them from facing the same discrimination
she had faced. The CNN program also confirmed this by
stating that immigrant families tend to lose the ability to
speak their native language by the third generation.
In a globalizing world, you would think that markets
would demand all people to know multiple languages. It is
not that Mexicans do not want to learn English or that they
are unable to learn English; rather, it is simply the fact that
they just arrived here. Give them some time.
When the Africans, Chinese, Cubans, French, Germans,
Indians, Japanese, Koreans, Mexicans, Spaniards and
people from the Middle East arrived in the United
States, they assimilated to become productive citizens of
our nation.
Perhaps the reason for frustration is that many spoiled
Americans believe that immigrants should know English
now, but I know many Americans who still cannot talk
American right—I mean, speak English correctly.
Editors reserve the right to edit
submissions for length, grammar,
spelling and content.
Letters may be delivered to Room 258
in the University Center, faxed to (210)
431-4307, mailed to The Rattler, St.
Mary’s University, One Camino Santa
Maria, Box 83, San Antonio, TX 78228, or
e-mailed to [email protected].
For more information, call
newsroom at (210) 436-3401.
the
the
Rattler
Editor in Chief
Kimberly Vela
Managing Editor
Karina Villa
Layout/Design Manager
Jon Mike Hernandez
Copy Editor
Jacqueline Mendez
News Editor
Dominique Vargas
Features Editor
Elizabeth Pena
Commentary Editor
Gabriela Noriega
Entertainment Editor
Illustration by Elena Gonzalez
Consider going green not trendy, but a way of life
Selena San Miguel
Sports Editor
Jonathan Trillo
Photo Editor
Vivian Esparza
Advertising Manager
Nancy Martinez
Assistant Ad Manager
Amanda Guerra
Faculty Advisor
Margaret Luevano
Staff Cartoonist
Elena Gonzalez
Standards
The 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.
Contact Us
The Rattler l St. Mary’s University l One Camino
Santa Maria Box 83 l San Antonio, TX 78228
(210) 436-3401 l FAX : (210) 431-4307
[email protected]
Staff Editorial
-The RattlerAl Gore did not invent the Internet. Despite popular belief, the former vice president
also did not single-handedly invent the threat
of global warming. While the public reacted
to Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth” with
copious amounts of praise and criticism, the
realities set forth in the semi-documentary are
ever present in society.
His film gave a face to the “green” trend that
has recently hit the United States. In the past
few years, America has begun to obsess over
energy-saving techniques, which will prevent
the supposed eternal damnation that may
happen if the consequences of global warming
come to fruition.
While the “greenification” of the United
States may be a trend, its popularity can only
help the cause. Shopping malls, grocery stores
and TV shows have made being socially aware
of one’s footprint on the world an everyday
occurrence. Texas’ giant H-E-B Grocery Stores
now sells large cloth totes at the counter for
patrons to use instead of multiple plastic
bags that could cause a threat to animals if
discarded improperly
The popular Showtime TV show Weeds
featured its main character buying a Toyota
Prius hybrid vehicle and boasting of her energysaving ways. Even oil companies have stepped
up to the green challenge, as illustrated by the
latest Shell Group’s “Eureka” commercials that
preach of its new goal to be socially responsible
by continuing to develop new ways to
extract oil from the ground without causing
“more problems.”
To many U.S. universities, going green
is not a fad. According to the Seattle PostIntelligencer, Western Washington University
has bought renewable electricity to make
its main campus completely green; Seattle
University has capitalized on solar power by
producing a system that could power a home
for a year. Harvard University also has had
its foot in going green by making a campuswide sustainability pledge that asks students
what they will do to impact the environment
in a positive way. Even many universities
around Texas, such as Baylor University and
Rice University, at least have environmental
clubs dedicated to keeping their communities
aware of their impact.
St. Mary’s Student Government Association
“Feet, why do I need them if I have wings to fly?” - Frida Kahlo
(SGA) initiated a campus-wide paper recycling
effort, which allows students to be responsible
for their paper waste. Recently, SGA has been
theorizing about bringing plastic recycling
to the university in the coming years. Also, a
group of students are currently working on
creating an environmental society on campus
in the hopes of making the student body active
participants in the conservation of energy on
and beyond campus.
On an individual scale, students, faculty
and staff members can make small changes in
their daily lives that can have a positive impact
on the world. According to an MSN.com report
by Leslie Billera entitled “Easy Ways to Go
Green,” some of the simplest ways to lessen
one’s environmental impact include bringing
one’s own tote bag to the grocery store to save
plastic bags, owning an indoor plant to reduce
indoor pollutants and opting for a non-meat
meal once a week to save the energy that goes
into cooking meat.
Unlike many social responsibilities, the
act of going green is relatively simple. Saving
energy in order to soften the impact on the
environment makes sense on a campus, local
and universal scale.
Commentary
17
Rattler
the
10.31.2007
Lifelong Tradition of the Day of the Dead: Pan de Muerto
The Rattler invites you to create your own bread of the dead. To celebrate the Day of the Dead, many Mexicans offer an altar to their past
loved ones. They fill the altars with offerings of flowers, food, drinks and sweet candy. This is done so that the souls of their loved ones can
come and be part of the remembrance of their death.
Step 1: Dissolve the yeast with the room temperature water. Add ½ cup of flour, knead to make a dough texture.
Leave it to rest for 15 minutes.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WWW.FLICKR.COM
Step 2: Clean and clear a table, pass flour through a strainer and let it fall on the table until you have done that with
all 5 ½ cups of flour. Form a small hole in the middle; add the eggs, condensed milk, yams and butter. Knead
in with your hands.
Pan de Muerto is a tradition among Mexican families.
List of Ingredients
30
¼
6
5
1
5
250
2
¼
grams or 4 packets of yeast
cup of room temperature water
N
N
N
Step 3: Add the first dough into the new one; keep kneading until all the dough is off the table.
Step 4: Place in a slightly greased pan to let the dough rest for two hours or until its volume has risen double
its size.
N
N
Step 5: Pre-heat oven at 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
cups of flour
N
N
eggs
can of condensed milk
egg yams
Once again, let dough rest until the dough has risen to double its size.
Step 7: You will have four big pieces and four small pieces. Take the big pieces and make them into half circles like turtle
shells. Then, with a small piece of dough, make decorations.
N
N
grams of butter
eggs to varnish
cup of granulated sugar
N
Step 6: After two hours, divide the paste in four parts and cut a small piece of each small portion for decorations.
Step 8: Once you are finished, varnish the bread with the eggs. To do so, mix the eggs well and varnish
N
with a cooking brush.
Step 9: Then, splatter some sugar on top of the dough so that the sugar does not come off the bread once it is cooked.
N
Step 10: Bake bread for 1½ hours or until golden brown. Eat and enjoy with some milk.
Inspirational Moments
Sisters
You tried to hide
We come from different backgrounds.
Our beliefs may not be the same,
But there is one bond that holds us together:
Our sisterhood.
Ten...You told me I would never be anyone in
life.
Nine...You laughed at me when I failed and
belittled my success.
Eight...You sabotaged my efforts every chance
you got.
Seven...You made me self-conscious of my
shortcomings.
Six...You exaggerated my weaknesses.
Five...You etched the bitter pangs of failure into
my very soul.
Four...You made me cry; you broke me down.
Three...Yet, somehow, I found that all this was
because you were afraid,
Two...Afraid of a little competition. Well, all I
have to say is:
One...Ready or not, here I come.
We walk side by side
In the good times and the bad.
We share experiences
No one can erase from our hearts.
Our friendship unites us more than ever.
We grow as sisters, as women and as friends.
We may disagree at times, but in the end,
We have each other’s support.
We do not need to share the same blood.
We share our love.
We are sisters forever.
No blood type can top that.
By Gabriela Noriega
Painting by Dyana Garcia
By Dyana Garcia
Invader Zim
Is it just me, or is there anyone else out there
who still remembers when cartoons were actually
worth watching?
Not that there are not a few diamonds in the rough
nowadays, but most of the good shows have discontinued
production or have been cancelled. It is a
Very sad situation. Shows like Dexter’s Laboratory,
Johnny Bravo and Courage, the Cowardly Dog are missed,
but the show I miss the most is Invader Zim. That little
alien will
Always have a place in my heart. From his first
appearance on March 30, 2001, to the untimely show
cancellation before the completion of the second season,
Zim gave his audience nonstop laughs and tons of
entertainment. I
Definitely miss watching Zim with his cute, robotic
sidekick Gir and laughing at their strange attempts to
“destroy all human life.” Cancelling the show was a
bad idea, and the producers should consider reviving
it. There was a petition to bring the show back, and the
release of a boxed set of Invader Zim DVDs in 2004 and
late 2006 was a success.
Even Hot Topic features a variety of Invader Zim
merchandise. If it sells so well, why not continue
the series?
Reruns are fine, but there are only so many times I
can watch them without longing for more.
Zim deserves to be brought back. For those of you
“normal human worm-babies” who do not know who
he is, you need to find out. Once you watch one show,
you will be hooked. Yes, the series is eccentric, but
a little
Insanity never hurt anyone.
Maybe Invader Zim will be resurrected, but for now,
I will revel in the joys of my boxed set and my collection
of apparel, action figures, pictures and other Invader
Zim paraphernalia. My love for Zim “marches through
my veins like giant radioactive rubber pants! The pants
command me! Do not ignore my veins!”
By Dyana Garcia
E-mail inspirational submissions such as poems, pictures and song lyrics to [email protected] for the
commentary section.
Sculpture by Dyana Garcia
“The seat of knowledge is in the head, of wisdom, in the heart.”- William Hazlitt
10.31.2007
18
the
Rattler
Quiuuubole
Little things make distance bearable
!
!
By Gabriela Noriega
Con las abuelitas...
Las abuelitas son el centro de
atención en una familia. Ellas
mantienen a todos sus hijos listos
para la vida. Son insistentes en
mantener toda la familia unida.
Mi abuelita es muy astuta y sabe
conseguir todo lo que quiere y a
su manera.
Yo crecí a lado de mi
abuelita. Ella es como mi segunda
madre. La única diferencia es que
es un poquito más estricta. Cuando
todos los primos estábamos
chiquitos mi abuelita siempre nos
ponía a hacer cosas en la casa. Yo
siempre tenía que lavar los trastes
o limpiar el piso, mientras mis
primas regaban las plantas del
patio, o los muebles con un aceite
rojo para que brillaran. Éramos
como su manada de limpiadores.
Nos tenía ocupados para que
ella pudiera hacer la comida y
sus negocios.
En
total
éramos
como
quince primos y primas que
se quedaban con la abuelita. A
veces estábamos ahí todo el día, y
otros días nada más por algunas
horas. Pero ningun momento
fue desperdiciado gracias a
mi abuelita.
Mi abuelita es una empresaria
local; ella presta dinero a la
familia, vecinos o conocidos. Ellos
le tienen que pagar con intereses
o si le caéis bien no te cobra
intereses. Si yo voy a su casa y
no he cambiado mis dólares en el
banco, ella me los cambia en diez
pesos en lugar de once cincuenta
como en el banco.
Cuando yo estaba chiquita
ella tenía una tienda de sodas
y papitas pero como todos los
primos siempre le robábamos
la mercancía, la tuvo que cerrar.
Ahora ella tiene una tienda
de regalos. También vende
edredones en pagos y con interés.
Vende vajillas y portarretratos y
si no tiene algo que tú quieras,
ella te lo consigue.
Mi abuelita es una mujer
extraordinaria
que
cuidó
demasiados niños con mucho
Commentary
amor y cariño. Pero cuando hacías
algo malo no dudes que sus
uñas estarían en tus brazos. Mi
abuelita siempre nos pellizcaba
o nos rasguñaba cuando nos
portábamos mal. Sus uñas eran
su arma más peligrosa. Cuando
le contestábamos nos tronaba los
dedos de las manos para que no
lo volviéramos hacer.
Pero también nos consentía.
Ella nos peinaba con limón para
que nuestros pelos chiquitos
no se pararan. Ella nos regalaba
Duvalines (son dulces cremosos
que vienen en platitos chiquitos
sabor chocolate, vanilla o
fresa.)En otros países le llaman
Nucitas. Nos compraba ropa o
zapatos si es que nuestros padres
no podían.
Mi abuelita es la persona
indicada para cualquier problema.
Ella te puede ayudar si necesitas
consejos personales o si tienes
un problema económico.
Es
una súper mujer que aunque los
años se le hayan venido encima
siempre mantiene la mirada
en alto.
Sin mi abuelita mi familia no
sería una familia. No tendríamos
razón de comer los Domingos.
No tendríamos nada que hacer
en Navidad, ni en ano nuevo.
Mi abuelita es la persona más
importante de mi familia. Sin ella
nosotros ni existiríamos.
Las abuelitas pueden ser
gruñonas, bonitas, simpáticas,
o malas. Pero en el fondo nos
quieren mucho y nos tienen en
su corazón todos los días. Ellas
saben que nosotros las queremos
pero a veces ellas solamente
necesitan atención para sentirse
más queridas. Platica con tu
abuelita, llévale flores, o escríbele
un poema. Verás que un simple
detalle llenara su cara con una
sonrisa. Nunca sabes cuando tu
abuelita pueda ser quien te ayude
a solucionar algún problema, o si
necesitas unas palabras de aliento
para vivir.
College starts, and life seems
to take its course in a rather
overwhelming
way. Friends take
off in their
own directions.
Some keep in
touch, and some
do not. For me,
my high school
Jasmine
Garcia
sweetheart was
the one to go
away for college.
“271.8 miles may not seem
like much, but it is.” That is
something you will find me saying
often. We have our weak moments,
but in the end, we remind ourselves
that we will make it through. We
chose to wait those four years
for each other no matter what.
I am sure I am not the
only one who is in this situation,
finding this experience to be the
most difficult of all. As difficult as
it may seem, I remember that the
waiting will be worthwhile. If it is
meant to be, then it will be.
It is hard to type this,
knowing
that
I
am
choosing to share this with
the readers of this newspaper,
but I am hoping that it will be an
encouragement to those who are in
the same situation.
Sometimes, it feels like too
much with college, workstudy and a job on the
side. Sometimes, you just need to
step away from all the “madness”
and breathe. Make time to make a
quick call to say, “I miss you,” or
send a nice text message to your
loved one. These little things
are what make it easier. No
one said it was going to be an
easy journey.
I am constantly referring to a
certain verse in the Bible: “With
God, all things are possible. (Mark
10:27)” It helps me make it through
the day. It can relate to any
situation. I felt the need to
share this verse along with
my thoughts to help make the
situation easier.
Sometimes, you need to open
up and talk with others. It may be
of little importance to some, but
to others, I am hoping it might
bring smiles to their faces.
PHOTO BY VIVIAN ESPARZA
Student recognizes major expectations
It seems that even when people speak the same
language, they are speaking different ones. A simple
sentence can mean one thing to one person or something
completely different to someone else.
The most famous of these that I have
heard is when a girlfriend says, “Fine. You
don’t have to. Go do whatever you want.”
For those guys who do not know, this
statement actually translates to: “Do what
I want you to, or I shall be very displeased
and shall remember this for some time
Laura
Gonzales
to come.”
However, there are exceptions; some girls who were to
say the aforementioned statement would mean exactly that.
I like to think of myself as one of those girls, as I am an
advocate of direct shooting when it comes to conversation.
Another famous line is: “I’ll be done with this in a couple
of minutes.” Generally, this does not mean that the person
will be finished in exactly two minutes; rather, those two
minutes can stretch into hours, especially when the activity
that the other person is waiting to do is time sensitive.
Then, there are genuine miscommunications, such as,
“Take a right at the next intersection,” but when the right
is taken at the next opportunity, the navigator continues,
“This isn’t the right I was talking about; does this look like
an intersection?” Clearly, the next major intersection was
what she meant.
I admit that I am sometimes guilty of all the above
miscommunications, and I figure that most of us are guilty
of them at some point. However, since I am an English/
communication arts major, any of the above situations
usually result in the other person commenting, “You’re a
communication major; aren’t you supposed to be the best
at, you know, communicating?”
This statement usually makes me want to grind my teeth
and smite the offender with the nearest throw-able object.
My actual answer, however, is a nod of the head and an
exasperated sigh, occasionally accompanied by a begrudging,
“Yes, I am,” or a quiet growl that expresses my true
feelings perfectly.
Another situation in which this occurs is when I am
trying to think of a specific word or how said word is
spelled. If the other person does not know either, I get the
same response: “Aren’t you a communication major?”
Yet another time during which this comes up is when I
am at a loss for words or when I use words like “ya’ll” in an
informal atmosphere; the latter circumstance is rare, but it
still occurs often enough for me to include it in this list.
I found myself wondering whether or not this happens
regularly to other communication majors as well; I have
also found myself wondering whether or not this happens
to people in different majors, and three such people who
I asked confirmed that the phenomenon is not limited to
English/communication arts majors.
A biology student told me that, when he gets sick, he
regularly hears: “You should know how to prevent that; you
are a bio student!” as well as “You should know that sleep is
a health requirement; after all, you are a bio student.”
A male psychology major friend of mine stated that his
girlfriend often tells him, “Since you are studying how
people’s minds work, you should understand me better,
Mr. Psychology Major.”
A female sociology student often hears: “Since you’re
a sociology major, should you socialize more?” from
her friends.
I imagine that this happens to people of other majors as
well. If it does not happen to you, congratulations; much
envy is directed your way. However, if it does happen
to you, I empathize and want you to know that you are
not alone.
Signed,
Laura Gonzales
“Miss Communication Major”
Not Miscommunication Major
“When love is not madness, it is not love.” - Pedro Calderon de la Barca
Rattler
All games start at
7:30 p.m.
19
the
10.31.2007
07-08
St. Mary’s University
Men’s Basketball
Home Game
Schedule
Sports
Date
Opponent
Date
Opponent
11/16
Schreiner University
1/12
Newman University
11/17
Texas A&M-Kingsville
1/31
Texas-Permian Basin
11/23
Rhema Bible College
2/2
Oklahoma Panhandle State
11/24
Cameron University
2/7
Dallas Baptist University
12/15
Paul Quinn College
2/9
St. Edwards University
12/17
Pittsburg State
2/23
University of the Incarnate Word
12/18
Washburn University
2/25
Texas A&M-International
1/10
Lincoln University
GRAPHIC BY JON MIKE HERNANDEZ
Men’s, women’s soccer season comes to an end
By Ivonne Aguilar
-Staff WriterFor many students, the mid-semester break meant going home or catching up on some sleep, but that
was not the case for the men’s and women’s soccer teams. They remained to play difficult games that ended
in victory.
The men’s soccer team defeated Texas A&M International University, 2-1, on Oct. 19. Sophomore forward
Chris Smith put St. Mary’s on the scoreboard with an assist crossed by freshman midfielder Octavio
Rodriguez. Freshman defender Daniel Sanguieti scored the winning goal in overtime by heading it in the
back of the net after a cross from Smith.
One of the highlights of the season was a tough win against longtime rival University of Incarnate Word.
Freshman forward David Peterson’s lone goal gave St. Mary’s the 1-0 victory. The team then went on to beat
University of St. Thomas, 4-1.
After winning the home games, the Rattlers headed off to play away games against Newman University
and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
In a close match against Newman, the team fell, 2-3, in overtime; against Texas Permian Basin, it was
defeated, 0-2. With the team’s last win against Texas A&M International, its standings improved to 7-8-0
overall and 4-4-0 for the Heartland Conference. The Rattlers were back on the soccer field on Oct. 30 to
play against West Texas A&M University. As of time of press, the game’s outcome was not known to The
Rattler.
The women’s soccer team has had to fight through adversity due to injuries of key players, including
both goalies. Despite the setback, the Lady Rattlers won against Dallas Baptist University, 2-1, with a goal
by senior defender Toni Tullius. One of the winning goals was a header; the other was a one-touch shot
from a cross.
On Oct. 12, the Lady Rattlers fell to Incarnate Word due to the absence of its starting goalkeepers.
However, the team recovered with a win against Texas A&M International, 4-3, with a decisive goal by
freshman forward Carolina Hernandez. In a close match against Texas Permian Basin, the ladies fell, 3-2,
in overtime.
The Lady Rattlers will play against St. Edwards on Oct. 30 at the soccer fields.
Both teams will end conference play on Nov. 4. The men will play at home against St. Edward’s University
while the women will play across town against rival University of Incarnate Word Cardinals.
Visit us on the web at www.stmarytx.edu/rattler.
20
Rattler
10.31.2007
the
Sports
Men’s Basketball looks to succeed in tough conference play
From many years of experience in playing
basketball on middle school and high school
teams, I know firsthand that you cannot
The St. Mary’s men’s basketball season teach team chemistry; rather, it comes from
is quickly approaching, as the team’s brutal a combination of mutual respect mixed with
2007-2008 pre-season workouts wind down, much experience playing together.
Our returning Rattlers have formed a
and practices begin.
According to 6’6” returning senior starter bond of friendship, which transforms the
LaTez Williams, education and exercise and concept of team into a concept of family.
sports science major from Hamilton, Ohio, Addidas came out with a commercial
“Experience is one of the most important that succinctly states, “Basketball is
factors when talking about how good a a brotherhood.”
team is. With half of our team returning
“I think the team is grasping the offense
as seniors, we will be a very experienced better and faster this year, and everyone
seems to know [his] role,” said exercise
team.”
Danko Barisic, Allen Coleman, Robert and sports science major Jewasko of San
Hawkins, Marcus Hill, Brett Jewasko, Antonio. “This season is going to be a fun
Dominique Richardson and Williams are season to be a part of.”
all returning seniors with Corey Harbert,
Jewasko is one of the most experienced
Robert Owens and Alexander Amy players on the team with four years under
returning as juniors.
his belt; he has seen the floor in 49 games
in the past two years.
I have witnessed from
sitting in the stands
that Jewasko is labeled
as a defensive stopper
by his coaches and
teammates because of
his defensive hustle
and enthusiasm that
brings that necessary
spark off the bench.
“We are doing a
great job of preparing
each other for game
situations. I think
the competition that
we face everyday in
practice is just as good
PHOTO BY ROBIN JOHNSON
as any competitions
The St. Mary’s University men’s basketball team looks ahead to its next sprint and that we will face all
upcoming season.
year,” said Corpus
By Marika Gonzalez Whitehurst
-Staff WriterSports Editorial
Christi native, exercise and sports science
major Coleman. In the past, Coleman
had helped our Rattlers make it to a
conference championship.
It is safe to say that our seniors are
mentally “locked and loaded” and ready
to burst out of the gate to get off to a
fast start.
New faces are joining the team and
tradition, including Ronald Tata, Lorenzo
Anthony and Nick Morey, and they will
benefit greatly from being a part of the
rotation in such an experienced team.
Newcomer Tata, a 6’9” junior criminal
justice major, said, “Because of the strong
incoming recruiting class and a strong
returning senior class, this first season at St.
Mary’s should be a very successful one.”
Another new recruit, junior exercise and
sports science major Luiz Gustavo Moreira,
shares Tata’s confidence. “I have not seen
the rest of the conference yet, so I can’t
speak on what we will be facing. I do know
that I feel comfortable with what we have
this year,” said Moreira. “We have shooters,
rebounders, shot blockers and defenders,
and that’s why I feel confident about
this season.”
According to “Goose,” which is
Moreira’s nickname, the team has all of the
pieces of the puzzle, and if it is successful
in putting them together, it will have an
excellent season. It is nice to see that the
team spirit shared amongst the returning
Rattlers has the new recruits excited and
ready to contribute to what is sure to be an
exciting season.
The team’s strength and agility trainer
Baybay McClinton pushed our men to
their limits in the off-season with workouts
that ranged from multiple speed-ladder
exercises to what seemed to be nonstop 110-
yard sprints at Alamo Stadium.
McClinton started to train our men
last post-season and continued training
throughout the summer and pre-season.
“There were days after Baybay’s
workouts where I could not feel my body
because I was so sore. Even though it was
painful, I know I have gotten stronger and
faster because of Baybay,” said Williams.
Baybay has the guys feeling like
triathletes when it comes to conditioning,
and this can only boost the players’
confidence and agility.
This season, our Rattlers are expected
to endure one of the toughest Division II
schedules in the season. They are scheduled
to play over five teams that are regionally
ranked, and many of the teams have played
in the National College Athletic Association
(NCAA) tournament.
St. Edward’s University, one of our
toughest rivals, is included in our schedule.
Last season, St. Edward’s won the Heartland
Championship and advanced to the
NCAA tournament.
Our men’s team is ready to bring it, use
it and leave it all on the floor. They have me
so excited that I am bursting at the seams
in anticipation of Midnight Madness and
the first home game, which is right around
the corner on Nov. 16 against the Schreiner
University Mountaineers.
Basketball, played by exceptional,
coordinated and conditioned athletes is one
of the finest spectator sports, and our fans
need to come out and support our team
this year. If they do, I suspect it will result
in a win/win situation for the team and for
the fans.
Get to know men’s basketball player LaTaz Williams
By Jonathan Trillo
-Sports Editor-
State Championship.
Name: LaTez Williams
Nickname: Tez
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 208 lbs.
Classification: Senior
Major: Education, exercise and sports
science
Hometown: Hamilton, Ohio
Position: Power Forward
Experience: He started for three years
at Hamilton High School boys’ basketball
team, Division 1 Basketball State champions.
He was a two-year starter at Northeastern
Oklahoma A&M College. He started here
last year and is a projected starter for
this year’s St. Mary’s University’s men’s
basketball team.
Who
is
your
favorite professional
athlete and why?
Tracy
Mcgrady.
I was told that my
game
play
was
similar to his.
Why did you choose St. Mary’s? What
was a major factor in why you wanted to
play basketball here?
I came on a visit. I liked it; I liked the
people and the coaches.
How old were you when you started
playing basketball? Why did you start
playing? Who got you involved?
I didn’t start playing organized
basketball until I was a freshman in high
school. My friends pushed me to play for
the team because of my height. My parents
supported me a lot; they never missed a
game in high school.
Why did you choose your major? What
influenced you?
I like working with kids, and I want to
help kids expose their raw talents so [that]
they are able to utilize them.
Did you play any other sports in
What is your
favorite TV show?
The Fresh Prince
of Bel-Air. Anytime
you want to laugh,
put that on, and I
guarantee it will
make you laugh.
high school?
I played wide receiver my sophomore
and junior years on the varsity
[football] team.
What are your hobbies?
PlayStation
2,
[National
College
Athletic Association] football, [Fédération
Internationale de Football Association,]
March Madness; I also attend sports events
here at St. Mary’s.
Who’s the best rapper alive?
Nas. I like his style, and he is real. My
favorite album from him is I Am.
What is your favorite personal
sports moment?
Watching the clock wind down
as we won the 2004 Division I Ohio
What
is
one
thing you would
change about the St.
PHOTO BY VIVIAN ESPARZA
Mary’s?
There are two
things
I
would
change: a more diverse student population
and better parking.
What is one thing you would change
about the basketball program?
A road tutor for the when we are on the
road for away games would help out a lot.
Are you superstitious? Do you have
any good luck charms?
No lucky charms, but I have to say
prayer before every game.
What is your favorite type of food?
Italian and Buffalo wings are two
favorites.
If you could describe yourself in one
Visit us on the Web at www.stmarytx.edu/rattler.
word, what would that word be?
Easygoing.
What is a good saying to live by?
Live life to the fullest so [that] you don’t
miss out on anything and regret it.
Do you have time for a social life
outside of basketball?
A little bit. I have enough to [play] a
couple of games on the PlayStation 2 and to
do my homework plus [attend] games.
What are your plans after graduation?
I want to be a teacher and a coach, then
a counselor
What other choices as far as playing did
you have aside from St. Mary’s?
I went to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M,
though I had a few other junior college
offers after high school. After Northeastern
Oklahoma A&M, I had offers from the
University of Houston, St. Mary’s and a few
others.
Are you satisfied with your decision
with St. Mary’s University and why?
Yeah, I like it. There [are] nice
people, southern hospitality. I like the
connection with your teachers: the
student-teacher relationship.
Are you going to dress up for
Halloween? If so, what you going to dress
up as?
Yes, I am going to dress up as a bloody
mass murderer.