THURSDAYFebruary 27, 2003

An Inside Look:

■ News ............................................2■ A & E............................................7■ Sports ........................................16

T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n

Page 4

CCaammppuussVOICE

Are youconcerned

about safetyin Valley

night clubs?

CAMPUS

■ BORDER BOLT

In Weslaco ashort high-speedchase earlyWednesdaymorning ended ina cabbage fieldwith the driverfleeing on foot.Police originallyattempted to stopthe car forspeeding. Whenthe driver wascaught, officialsrealized he hadsix illegal aliensin the vehicle,including twohiding in thetrunk. The driverwas arrested andthe aliens weredetained byBorder Patrolagents. The caseis still underinvestigation.

■ WAKEUP CALL

An Edinburgschool bus wasinvolved in anaccidentWednesdaymorning beforeschool bells rang.The bus collidedwith a FordMustang on thecorner of MonteCristo and TerryRoad. Threestudents and thedriver of theMustang weretaken to McAllenMedical Center.Two of thestudents werefromEconomedesHigh School andthe other fromMemorial MiddleSchool.

Celeste Y. Tello/The Pan American

EMPHATIC— FormerCongressman Kika de laGarza speaks to UTPAstudents Wednesday. The Valley native servedin politcs on many levelsfor over 30 years, andwas one the first high-profile Hispanics tomake it big in govern-ment

Kika de la Garza made his first visit tothe UTPA campus as a guest speaker thispast Tuesday where he stood in front ofstudents for a casual exchange ofquestions and answers.

De la Garza is a Mercedes native whograduated from Mission High School. Heenlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 andserved until 1946. In 1952, he was electedto the Texas House of Representatives,where he served six consecutive terms. In1964, de la Garza was elected to the U.S.House of Representatives for the 15thdistrict of Texas and served his last termin 1997.

Dr. Jerry Polinard was responsible forbringing de la Garza to UTPA to share hisexperience with students, and he hopes togenerate more visits from variouspoliticians.

“We thought we’d have an opportunityhere to inaugurate a series of programs

that we’ll call ‘conversations with,’”Polinard said. “This actually goes back, Iran into Kika last fall at the senatorialdebate held in Brownsville and hementioned that he had never been invitedto talk overall at the campus. I justthought ‘Gosh what an opportunity for ourstudents to have an opportunity with aperson with that wealth of experience.’”

With de la Garza’s interest in speakingat UTPA and Polinard’s invitation, itwasn’t long before the students wouldhave a chance to ask their former staterepresentative questions.

For Polinard, de la Garza’s visit is thefirst in what he hopes will become a seriesof visits from different political figures.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to use this as aspringboard to bring other speakers to thecampus over time,” Polinard said. “Atleast one per semester.”

De la Garza was willing to come toUTPA and said that he will travel

Longtime politicospeaks on campusBy CELESTE TELLOThe Pan American

The University of TexasBorder Health Office issponsoring a diabetes awarenesscampaign targeting young kidsin school.

The Office, which is part ofThe University of Texas-PanAmerican, is hosting a diabetescampaign March 3-7 in an effortto educate school children aboutthe dangers of the disease. TheSchool Education andEnrollment Project (SEEP)targets 4th-grade students acrossthe Rio Grande Valley. Incidenceof the disease among Hispanicsis greater than with any otherethnic minority, reaching as highas 20 percent in the Valleyaccording to recent scientificstudies.

This campaign will beconducted through 31 school

districts and will reach anestimated 21,000 4th-graders.According to Eddie Quintanilla,health education coordinator forBorder Health, the diabetesawareness campaign is targetingthem because they are moresusceptible to receivinginformation.

“It is proven that students inthe 4th grade are more receptiveto information,” said Quintanilla.

The campaign given to thesestudents will feature lesson plansgiven to the teachers regardingdiabetes at least two weeks priorto March 3. The teachers willhave time to review them beforepresenting them to their students.If they have any questionsregarding the lesson plans theteachers have been informed thatthe school nurses are available toassist them when presenting thelessons to the children.

Diabetes, kids paired in eventBy DULCE GONZALEZThe Pan American

See SPEAKER page 5 See DIABETES page 4

It was Senior Night and a capacitycrowd packed the UTPA Fieldhouse forthe home finale of the 2002-2003 men’ sbasketball campaign, as the Broncs weretrying to avenge a loss earlier this seasonto the Centenary Gentlemen. Howeverthey came up short and lost 78-76.

“We want to go out, just mainly havefun and think about why we came out toplay basketball,” senior guard KevinMitchell said.

James Davis another senior guard, wasready for the season to be over, “ I can’tspeak for everybody, it’s been afrustrating year.”

The Broncs started the game on a 9-2run led by Mitchell and the Broncfaithful went into a frenzy as the teamextended the lead to 21-10 with 8:35 leftin the first half.

The Gents were not ready to acceptdefeat yet and came roaring back to tiethe game up at 30 going into theintermission.

The Gentlemen came out the secondhalf with something to prove, led bytheir star forward Andrew Wisniewskiwho was in foul trouble in the first half.They manufactured a lead of 63-49 with7:07 left, that’s when the Broncs hadseen enough and went on a 16-6 run toclose the gap to 69-65 with 2:50remaining.

In the final seconds of this thrillerwhich went down to the wire, juniorforward Allen Holcomb had anopportunity to tie the game with twopressure free throws, but only made oneout of two and the Broncs dropped adevastating heart breaker. Holcombended the game with 17 points and

ripped down seven rebounds. Head Coach Bob Hoffman said “Eric

Montalvo played one of his best games,he hit some big shots.” Sophomore guardEric Montalvo finished the game with 20points and 10 rebounds for his seconddouble-double of the season.

"The guys came out with a lot ofenergy and enthusiasm, they fought likecrazy and played hard until the end,"head coach Bob Hoffman said about theeffort of his team.

Mitchell played every minute of thefinal home game of his Bronc career; heended as the high scorer with 26 points.

“There was excitement, drama andsuspense, it was a wild game,” Mitchellsaid.

The Broncs fell to 10-19 with thedefeat. UTPA will close out their seasonon the road against Morris Brown inAtlanta, Ga. on March 1 at 5 p.m.

SENIOR NIGHT

Before the Broncs played their homebasketball finale, the University ofTexas-Pan American wanted to recognizethe senior’s men basketball players fortheir hard work and dedication.

The ceremony acknowledged KevinMitchell, Tomas Sitnikovas, Gabe Cortezand James Davis, awarding them withtheir jerseys and appreciation for whatthey have done for the Bronc family;following the festivities the four seniorsstarted their last career home game.

After the loss to Centenary the playersreflected on what being a Broncbasketball player meant to them.

"Coach Hoffman taught me a lot, notjust about basketball but about life,"Mitchell said. "This year was hard, Ihave memories that will last forever."

He went on to say, “therewere many things thisseason that gave uschallenges, we cametogether and tried toovercome.”

Gabe Cortez who walked-on as a freshman but seldomplayed, ended his final seasonas a Bronc with a bang, makinghis first ever collegiate startagainst Centenary.

"Hoffman and his family werereally great to me, I don’t think anyother coach would have given me achance," he said.

"I had teammates from all overthe world and got to travel all overthe country, it was a greatexperience." The senior thattraveled half across the world tobecome a Bronc player TomasSitnikovas said. "We learneddiscipline, time management andhow to take care of business, theteam had great chemistry. Myteammates are my friends and Iwill have contact with themforever."

“They are all good kids, theyalways gave it their all,” headcoach Hoffman said. “It was apleasure having them on my team.”

Guard James Davis summed it upbest when he said, "basketball is justa game, the important thing is I gotmy education, my teammates made itspecial."

So four Bronc seniors havelearned wisdom is not measured bythe total points on the scoreboard,but in the lessons taught throughlife experiences and relationshipswith people.

■ Women’s Basketball . .15■ Stat Page. . . . . . . . . . .14■ Sports Clipboard . . . . .13

PAGE 16

SPORTS

Photos by EdChrnko/The PanAmerican

DISH: Sophomore Eric Montalvo(left photo) passes the ball asDerrick East fills the lane duringthe UTPA home finale againstCentenary Monday night.

Right photo: Junior Allen Holcombgoes up for a shot againstCentenary on Monday night. TheBroncs dropped their seasonhome finale against the Gents78-76, giving UTPA a 10-19 record.

Gents drop Broncs in home finaleBy NADER M. SIAMThe Pan American

Broncs drop to 10-19 on season, seniors recollect on UTPA careers

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539(956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122

http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican51st Year – No. 18

EditorMatt Lynch

mlynch@panam.edu

Layout Designers

Ashley Brooks

Gabriel O. Hernandez

Reporters

Hilda Barrientes

Amelia Garcia

Dulce Gonzalez

Aaron Lozano

Adriana Martinez

Clarissa Martinez

Jennifer Tapia

Celeste Y. Tello

Arianna Vazquez

Photographer

Daniel Aguilar

Circulation

Joe Rodriguez

Advertising

Dagoberto Perez

Advertising Coordinator

Juanita Sanchez

Adviser

Dr. Greg Selber

the PAN AMERICAN is theofficial studentnewspaper of TheUniversity ofTexas-PanAmerican. Views presentedare those of thewriters and do notnecessarily reflectthose of theuniversity.

The Pan Americangladly acceptsletters fromstudents, staff andfaculty regardingnewspaper contentor current issues.The Pan Americanreserves the rightto edit submissionsfor grammar andlength. Please limitsubmission lengthto 300 words. ThePan Americancannot publishanonymous letters,or submissionscontaining hatespeech orgratuitouspersonal attacks.Letters are printedat the discretion ofthe editor andmust include thewriter’s name,class/title andphone number.

Letters policy

February 272 0 0 3

Readers with dis-abilities mayrequest an alter-native format ofthis publicationat The PanAmerican busi-ness office. For special assis-tance to attendany event listedin this publica-tion, contact thecoordinator of theevent at least oneweek prior to theadvertised date.

Sports EditorEd Chrnko

echrnko@yahoo.com

A & E EditorAshley Brooks

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News EditorBelinda Reyes

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Graphics EditorGabriel O.Hernandez

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NEWS■ INROADS . . . . . . . . 3■ Student Politics . . . . 4■ Campus Calendar. . .6

Today, 15 people in need of an organtransplant will die because there was not anorgan available for a transplant.

In 14 minutes, another person will beadded to the national organ transplantwaiting list. With such a high need here inSouth Texas, the Texas Organ SharingAlliance is trying to decrease those numbersone family at a time.

According to Yolanda Montemayor,TOSA’s Southern Region manager, SouthTexas (from San Antonio to the Rio GrandeValley) has the lowest consent rates in theUnited States for organ donation.

“As of right now, there are 1,700 peopleon the waiting list, and 1,300 of those are forkidneys,” Montemayor said.

One such patient that was waiting for atransplant was 17-year-old Jesica Santilan,the Mexican national who died in NorthCarolina this week after her operation faileddue to the use of the wrong blood type. Thathigh-profile case makes organ donation aneven more important topic for discussion,and in the Valley there is a serious discourseunfolding on the subject.

TOSA has been working in the Valley for16 years, and servicing families from RioGrande City to Brownsville. As anorganization, TOSA has been in operation for27 years.

2000 Coalition on DonationMontemayor said the need for kidney

transplants is far greater in South Texas dueto diabetes and high blood pressure, whichare common illnesses among Hispanics.

With kidney problems, there is a dialysismachine that helps the patient by functioningas a kidney until the patient has no choicebut to be put on the waiting list. But withorgans such as the lungs and heart, thosepatients must be placed on the waiting listquickly.

“There is no option,” Montemayor said.“Either they get the lung or heart transplantor they die.”

TOSA has three main operationalfunctions. One of those is communityeducation, which gives people at least ageneral idea on the subject. The organizationmust also do hospital education wherephysicians and the nursing staff are broughtup to date on donation facts.

Montemayor said that organ donation is a,“very small part,” of the medical field. Theirmost important job is to approach familieswhen brain death occurs.

“The hospital calls us and we evaluate thepatient-and not every person that diesqualifies to be a donor,” Montemayor said.“If they aren’t a candidate for organ donationthen we don’t even approach the family.”

Should the patient qualify to be a donor,the family is approached 30 minutes to anhour after the death is announced.

“It makes a difficult position to be inbecause you’re approaching families that aregoing through an emotional roller-coaster,they’re going through all the stages ofgrieving and it becomes a very sensitivetime,” Montemayor said. “So, if we go totalk to a family and they never discussedorgan donation, the majority of the timethey’re going to say, ‘Well no, we don’t

know what he wanted,’ or, ‘How dare youask us this right now.’ You never realize howimportant donation is until you are in thesituation.”

With exposure to the subject, the familydoesn’t get offended because they understandthat the discussion of organ donation is a partof the process. One of the most importantissues TOSA tries to present is the need todiscuss organ donation with families whileno one is in the hospital.

“It’s best to talk about it when there isn’t atragedy at hand because really that time isnot the best time because you’re going to bedealing with lots of emotions,” Montemayorsaid.

Dealing with Organ DonationEven Prado of Rio Grande City was going

into his junior year of high school when hediscovered he had kidney failure. Hemanaged school, college planning, anddialysis while waiting for a kidney. Pradowas on the waiting list for six months beforereceiving a kidney from his father.

“You never realize how important donationis until you are in the situation,” he said.

Along with TOSA, Prado agrees that themajority of the public is uneducated on thesubject and has taken it upon himself toinform the public.

“I was able to make an informativeinterview with Univision where I shared mystory to try to open people’s minds and toeducate them on the issue,” he said. “I alsoattended a meeting involving nurses fromValley hospitals and again shared myexperience.”

Montemayor stated that the decision todonate is made by the individual. Aside fromdiscussing it with family, there are stickersthat read ‘DONOR’ that can be placed on adriver’s license, and there is also the donorcard, which is signed by the individual alongwith two witnesses. Both of these areconsidered legal documents.

Despite the fact that these are legaldocuments, family members still have theoption of declining organ donation. Legally,the organization can still continue with thedonation, yet Montemayor said that it is arisk that TOSA is not willing to take.

Richard Pinon, TOSA’s hospital and donorservices coordinator, said in South Texas,the extended family tend to have difficultywith the subject of donation, and often has aneffect on the final outcome.

“With the myths of donation, we try totake people to a comfort level where theyunderstand the process and that they aren’timpeding the sanctity of the body becausethat’s the belief,” Pinon said.

Another myth that TOSA must dispel often

is the religious views toward the subject.“Over the past five years we’ve taken great

strides in making sure that the churchescome out to speak on behalf of organdonation,” Montemayor said. “There is notone recognized religion in the United Statesthat opposes organ donation.”

Montemayor and Pinon both agree thatthere is an understanding and acceptancegrowing around South Texas.

“Now because we’ve done so muchcommunity education—even if they still sayno, they’re calm about it,” Montemayor said.“The whole thing has evolved into them stillsaying no, but at least they have knowledgeabout it.”

Community AwarenessIn efforts to inform the community on this

issue, TOSA and its volunteers attend healthfairs, do civic and community organizationpresentations, as well as spreading the wordto high school students involved in healthclasses, Health Occupation Students ofAmerica, and Reserve Officers’ TrainingCorps.

TOSA, along with several nationalorganizations has various projects to increaseawareness. In November, the National DonorSabbath is held where all churches across thenation speak out on behalf of organ donating.

“April is the nationwide Donate Lifemonth,” Montemayor said. “We take greenribbons and place them along Business 83with the help of volunteers.”

Each May, donor families gather for adonor quilt ceremony. During this ceremonyfamilies’ come together to talk about theirloved one and create a patch that will bindthe quilt together. This creates an opportunityfor loved ones to grief and celebrate life. Thequilt is kept in TOSA’s San Antonio office.

“We don’t want to get away from theunderstanding that these families have beenthrough such tragic situations,” Pinon said.“Because they’ve donated—they havetouched the lives of many people.”

In the end, Pinon and Montemayor saidthey hope to drastically decrease the dramaticstatistics they deal with daily. Slowly, TOSAis on its way to accomplish their goal. Thispast year, there have been 22 donor familiescompared to the 12 in 2001.

“Although the donors and recipients areconnected through grieving—recipientsknow that someone had to die for them to geta second chance at life. The donor family—they’re the true heroes because they had tothink past their moment of grief to give lifeto someone else,” Montemayor said.

For further information on organ donorawareness or volunteer opportunities, call630-0884.

By EDWINA P. GARZAThe Pan American

Organ topic gaining importance

• One individual donor can provide organs, bone, andtissue for 50 or more people.

• Donation is not considered until all efforts to save thepatient’s life have failed.

• Organs & tissue for donation include the heart; liver,tendons, lungs, skin, pancreas, corneas, bone, kidneys,intestines, and heart valves

Organ Donation Facts

The University of Texas-PanAmerican women’s basketball teamscored its highest point total of theseason, defeating Division II IncarnateWord 77-68 Tuesday night at theFieldhouse before a crowd of 255supporters.

The win improved the Lady Broncsto 6-21 on the season while droppingthe Crusaders to 15-10 for the year.

Five UTPA players scored in thedouble-digits as the team shot aseason-best 52.5 percent from thefloor in attaining the season high. Thewomen hoopsters also tied a season-low in the turnover category byallowing only nine, and this was oneof the keys to their second win in thelast three games.

Senior forward Alex Gravel led theLady Broncs with 20 points, andupped her all-time scoring record to1,204 points. Five-foot-seven guardJennifer Piwonka netted 16 points andsenior center Naima Williamscontributed 11 to solidify her hold onsecond place on the UTPA all-timescoring list with 1,157 points. AmandaCarlow and Jennifer Arriola eachadded 10 points in the victory.

“It’s a pretty good achievement. I’mproud of myself. I’ve been here forfour years and worked hard so it’s areally good achievement for me,”Williams said on her scoring mark.

UTPA exploded for an early 24-8lead with 9:58 left to play in the firsthalf, but IWU fought back by goingon a 20-4 run to tie the game 28-28.Junior center Shamieka Buckley andsenior guard April Walker led the

Crusader surge with six points apiece.Five-foot-ten sophomore guard AmyMueller led the IWU with 16 pointsfor the game.

After the Crusader run, Pan Amsettled down and went back to work.Gravel hit a three-pointer for a 33-30with 1:28 remaining in the first halfand UTPA held on to go into theintermission with a narrow 37-32 lead.

“We had to pick up our intensityand knew that if we did, we wouldwin the game,” Houston nativeWilliams said.

In the second half, Pan Amfashioned a nine-point 58-49 lead overIWU that was capped by junior Mary

DeCock’s three-pointer with 9:13remaining.

The Lady Broncs went on a 9-2 runto take a seemingly commanding 64-51 lead with 5:40 left to play,but IWUclosed the gap to come within sixpoints when senior guard MichelleViverette converted a three-point playto cut Pan Am’s lead to 65-59 with3:56 remaining.

However, that’s as close as theCrusaders would get. UTPA outscoredIWU 12-9 in the last three minutes ofthe game to pick up its second win inthree games and improve the homerecord to 4-9 at the Fieldhouse.

The University ofTexas-Pan Americanbaseball team almostrecorded a sweep of theArkansas-MonticelloBoll Weevils lastweekend.

But after Saturday'sdoubleheader wins,UTPA was stopped shortin the series finaleSunday, losing Weevils6-5, to make its record7-7 for the year.

“We didn't play goodfundamental baseball,”head coach WillieGawlik said. “Wehad errors thathurt us, and didn’tget serious untillate in the game.”

It wasn’t untilthe third inning ofthe game Sundaythat the BollWeevils (now 5-5)scored and took a2-0 advantage. Inthe top of thefourth frame, theyadded one run tomake the score 3-0.

Having alreadyplated a run in thefourth, the visitorshad anopportunity to putthe game out of reachwith two outs and thebases loaded, but UTPAsophomore JonathanMason made a catch incenter field for the thirdout.

UTPA’s first score ofthe day came in thebottom of the forth onfreshman LouieAlamia’s hit to centerfield that platedsophomore Tony Ortiz.

The Weevilsresponded with anotherrun in the fifth, and theBroncs were down 4-1.

But UTPA respondedas senior Jerome McCoystole second base to puthimself in scoringposition. Withsophomore Marco Garzaat the plate, McCoyadvance to third on apassed ball. Garzafinally has his chance tohit and took theopportunity to fire a shotinto left field to scoreMcCoy, closing the gapto 4-2.

After the Weevilsadded two insurance

runs in the seventh, theBroncs had one lastchance with two outs inthe ninth inning. After awalk put McCoy onfirst, the senioradvanced to third on anerror.

Senior Bruce Kennedyslapped a grounderthrough the infield tohelp McCoy score hissecond run of the dayand close the lead to 6-3.

One batter later, Garzabelted a two-run homerover the left-field wallto pull the Broncs within

a single run. But the UTPA rally

would fall short assophomore catcher MattEichel grounded out toend the game.

Jason Duhon took theloss on the mound forUTPA.

“We didn't pitch welland we playedinconsistently,” Gawliksaid. “The key to win isto play very consistentthroughout the game.We just didn't getserious until late in thegame.”

UTPA’s chance tocompete against a Big12 team, Texas Tech,went by the waysidebecause the recent coldsnap made travel tonorth Texas difficult.

The team will play athome this weekend,March 1-2 against TexasA&M-Corpus Christi.March 1 will feature adoubleheader againstTAMUCC which willbegin at 4 p.m., whilethe series finale willbegin at 1 p.m. March 2.

February 27, 2003 sports Page 15

UTPA downs Incarnate Word

UTPA comeback falls short asArkansas-Monticello wins 6-5

By JUAN FLORESThe Pan American

Photo by Daniel Aguilar/The Pan American

CROWDED: Alex Gravel (5) tries to get position on an Incarnate Word defender during Tuesday night’s 77-68 win for UTPA.

Broncs take 2 of 3from Boll Weevils

Lady Broncs tally season highs in points and shooting percentage,while tying a season low in turnovers en route to sixth win of season

Photo by Daniel Aguilar/The Pan AmericanUP AND AWAY: Lady Bronc Naima Williams shoots against Incarnate Word Tuesday.

We didn’t pitchwell and we

playedinconsistently.The key to winis to play very

consistentthroughout the

game.

““

- Willie Gawlik , head baseball coach

By ED CHRNKOThe Pan American

See LADY BRONCS page 13

February 27, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 3

It started with the French Club, and then therewas a Spanish Club. Now, the University ofTexas-Pan American has an American SignLanguage Organization.

The club was founded in Fall 2001 andcurrently has 60-65 members, most of whomare communication disorders majors. ClubPresident Eric Martinez says the sign languageorganization was formed to “bridge the gapbetween the hearing and non-hearing world.”

Most club members already have knowledgeof sign language or have taken one of the twoclasses offered at the university.

“Unfortunately,” Martinez says, “we only

have two sign language classes, but eighty toeighty-five percent of the members know signlanguage.”

Club adviser Keith Sibley and his wife Paulaare both sign language instructors who, with thehelp of the organization, promote signing to thecommunity.

The sign club works closely with the SouthTexas Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing(STCDHH) and the Valley Association forIndependent Living (VAIL). Club memberstutor deaf children who are part of these twoorganizations, and also assist fellow members.

On campus, the sign club hosts bake sales,“pampered chef” sales, and a silent dinner. Withthe silent dinner, members bring one dollar andcan sit and eat with other members of the club,

as well as deaf people in the community.Martinez says the club has a great influence

on the community.“In the organization, we do many events,” he

said. “This semester we have a picnic plannedand a bowling night. We invite all the membersof the deaf community, their moms, dads, andany children they may have, and we invite themlong before we do anything.”

The most profound involvement in thecommunity comes with the organization’s bookreading at McAllen’s Barnes and Noble, held onthe last Saturday of each month at 3 p.m. Theregular Barnes and Noble book reading isaccompanied by Keith Sibley’s sign language.According to Martinez, the turnout is alwaysbig, giving the opportunity to give back to the

community. “It works out really great because just before

that (3 p.m.), they have story time and everyonekind of sticks around for the signing,” he said.

Last spring, the organization was awarded the“Service Project of the Year” by UTPA. Thisyear, members are planning to host a “deafpicnic” on campus for the deaf community aswell as the public. They are expecting 350-400people in attendance from San Antonio, CorpusChristi, Laredo, and the Valley. This event isopen to all members of the organization and thepublic.

For more information about the club, e-mailEric Martinez at eric8100@prodigy.net, orattend a meeting, held every Tuesday from 12p.m.-1 p.m. at the U.C.

Sign Language club has increasing activityBy MELISSA MORENOThe Pan American

Students at The University of Texas-PanAmerican could soon have a chance to work for aFortune 500 company after graduation.

INROADS, a non-profit organization that seeksto increase business career opportunities andknowledge for minorities, recruits students forinternships, giving corporations the opportunityto develop diverse managerial talent during theircollege career.

“INROADS is very influential for any studentthat participates,” said Carole Grant, the firm’smanaging director for central Texas.

According to the INROADS website(www.INROADS.org) over the last three years,an average of 60 percent of all graduatingINROADS interns have received immediate full-time offers from their corporate sponsors.

In order to apply for the internship, thestudent must be a minority with a 3.0 average,have a combined SAT score of at least 900, or anACT score of at least 20. The students must alsobe pursuing a degree in a business or anothertechnical discipline, as well as liberal arts, law,and medicine, and they must demonstrateoutstanding leadership characteristics.

The student must also be a senior in highschool, or a first or second year college studentsince at least two summers are necessary in orderto get the internship. The INROADS graduateinternship program recruits third and fourth yearcollege students planning to pursue an advanceddegree.

INROADS staff proceeds to select 100students from all applicants after intensivescreening and many one-on-one interviews andare called the INROADS “talent pool,” a groupof people who will be presented to thecorporations.

INROADS, funded through client sponsorshipfees, foundation grants and contributions, alsoprovides counseling and training once the studentis selected to receive an internship.

According to www.INROADS.org,participating companies must make a three-partcommitment: to provide career-related summerwork experience for interns, to form a team ofstaff members to guide and oversee the internsdevelopment, and to pay a consecutive salary tothe intern, as well as an annual sponsorship feeper intern.

Located in Austin, the central office servicesall students from south of Waco to the Valley,said Grant. But its connections with Valley kidahave been sporadic and rife with confusion.

When asked if she services students fromUTPA, Grant replied, “As far as I know, wehaven’t had any students from UTPA, but wouldlove the opportunity to work for them and helpthem with their career planning anddevelopment.”

At UTPA, Career Placement Services (CPS) isdedicated to serving students at all points in theirundergraduate and graduate academic careers.

As stated in the mission statement, CPS isresponsible for connecting university studentsand alumni with prospective employers. In orderto fulfill this responsibility, the organization iscommitted to providing high quality services thatenable students, throughout their academiccareer, to explore career options, developeffective job search skills, and ultimately obtaincareer related employment or admission to aprofessional or graduate school upon graduatingfrom UTPA.

According to Enedelia P. Kidd, Director ofCPS, INROADS contacted her to see if UTPAwanted to collaborate with the organization ayear ago. After information was exchanged sheaccepted.

“After some time, students came and told meINROADS was charging them 30 dollars to usetheir services but the organization alreadyreceives donations from corporations,” said Kidd.

According to Kidd, the students didn’t need topay the $30 fee since CPS assisted UTPAstudents with finding jobs and internships forfree.

“I’m here to help the student and to protect thestudent,” said Kidd.

Because of this confusion, INROADS and theCareer Placement Services at UTPA lost contact.

Grant, when asked about the 30-dollar fee thatwas not made clear to the CPS staff a year ago,said, “The 30-dollar fee was for the Talent Pooltraining which also included breakfast andlunch.”

When asked if there was any other fee that thestudent would have to pay consideringINROADS is a non-profit organization, Grantreplied, “The only other fee is optional, only ifthe students wishes to join the INROADS studentassociation during the year.”

Kidd was notified of the response and said thatshe would be more than happy to contactINROADS once again.

For further information, visitwww.INROADS.org, or contact Daniel Guerreroat 1(800) 390-1905. CPS is located at UTPA inthe student services building in room 147 or canbe reached my phone at (956) 381-2243 fromeight a.m. to five p.m. Monday through Friday.

Internship Websitepromises opportunityBy ADRIANA MARTINEZThe Pan American

A hive of killer bees is due toarrive in the Valley next fall.

Hidalgo, the Rio Grande Valleytown known for “The World’sLargest Killer Bee,” a spectacleseen in shows such as the OprahWinfrey Show, is welcoming a newgroup of killer bees to a newhockey arena.

The Rio Grande Valley EventsCenter will be the home of TheKiller Bees, the newest team in theArizona-based Central HockeyLeague. The hockey team will dropthe puck for pre-season games inOctober.

The arena will not only house thehockey team, but also bring morethan 150 events per seasonincluding concerts, and familyshows.

CityManager JoeVera III saidthat the hockeyarena willimprove thequality of lifeof the residentsof the Valleybecause it willbring showssuch as Disneyon Ice, neverbefore seen inthis part ofTexas.

Construction and development ofthis arena took five years. Hidalgocity officials were interested insimply building a civic center forthe town, but after extensiveresearch they decided to join forcewith the Texas Municipal FacilitiesCorp., and the InternationalColiseum Co., according to Vera.

“We started looking at building acivic center,” Vera said. “Afterresearching and visiting companiesof both centers and coliseums, wecame in contact with RickKozuback in the Central HockeyLeague and got interested.”

The construction phase for the$20 million project started in June2002, and a number of companieshave aided the project. About 15-20architects from PBK, a Canadiancompany, come down every otherweek to run the project, with thehelp of local architect Eddie Vela

and Williamson Construction Co. ofPharr. Vela said it has taken fiveyears of implementation to try tomake the project a reality.

The multipurpose arena has acapacity of 7,000 people for regularevents, and can seat up to 5,500 forhockey games. Wane Davis, thevice president of GlobalEntertainment Marketing System,said the company thought the arenawas a good fit because it can houseboxing matches, arena football,basketball, tennis, and soccer.

“It will enhance the culture of theValley because it will bring indifferent types of events the Valleydoes not have,” Davis said. “It willgive the Valley a since ofcommunity pride with external andinternal events.”

According to both Vera andDavis, club seats and suites are

almost soldout, whileseason ticketsare stillavailable forthe public.Differentcompanies,businesses,and law firmsaround theValley havepurchased thesuites andclub seats, buttheir namescannot berevealed,

according to Davis.The coliseum will not just benefit

the City of Hidalgo, but the entireValley by providing jobs, Vera said.

“We are excited about the arenaand the support by the community,”Vera commented. “It will generatejobs, and the taxes will benefit theentire area.”

The good weather in the Valleyhas permitted the construction ofthe arena to proceed quickly,according to Davis. Duane Stark,vice president of WilliamsonConstruction Co., has estimated thefinishing touches of the buildingwill conclude in mid-September,making the arena ready for use inOctober.

“The building is something thepeople will be very proud of andlook forward to using it in thefuture,” Davis predicted.

Killer Bees in their houseBy ARIANNA VAZQUEZThe Pan American

We are excitedabout the arena andthe support by thecommunity. It willgenerate jobs, andthe taxes will benefitthe entire area.

“

“

- Joe Vera III,Hidalgo City Manager

After 14 games, the University ofTexas-Pan American baseball team hasused some scrappy offense andinnovative pitching to post a 7-7 recordwhich is an improvement over last year’s2-12 start.

Last season, the Bronc’s notched adismal 15-38 record while generatingonly 16 home runs, and crossing theplate 206 times off 177 RBI and 424 hits.

However, this season UTPA’s offensehas generated 7 home runs, 79 RBI’s,racked up 89 runs and 131 hits.

This year’s offensive output is 30-45percent of last season’s offensive totalsin a little over a quarter of the schedule.

In the won-lost category, the orange-and-green have already notched 46percent of last year’s total wins in only14 games.

Pan Am’s pitching has also seenimprovement. Last year, Bronc pitching

February 27, 2003 sports Page 14

UTPA BASEBALL SCORES AND STATS

Feb. 23Ark.-Monticello (5-5) 0 0 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 - 6 10 3UTPA (7-7) 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 - 5 6 3

Pitchers: Arkansas-Monticello - N Johnson; J Bowen(5); D Keen (6). UTPA - J Duhon; T Sorden (4); JGibson (7). Win-J Bowen (1-0) Save-D Keen (1) Loss-J Duhon(0-2) Time - 2:55 Attendance - 325HR UTPA - M Garza

Feb. 22 Game 2 Ark.-Monticello (4-5) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 1 4 1UTPA (7-6) 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 - 2 6 0Pitchers: Arkansas-Monticello - J McClain; J Johnson(7). UTPA - B DiOrio; J Gibson (7). Win - J Gibson (1-1) Loss - J Johnson (0-1) Time -1:58 Attendance - 329

Feb. 22 Game 1Ark.-Monticello (4-4) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 3 6UTPA (6-6) 0 1 0 2 0 3 9 0 X -15 13 1

Pitchers: Arkansas-Monticello - B Goswick; LJohnson (6); S Watkins (7). UTPA - J Lopez; J Saenz(8). Win - J Lopez (1-0) Loss - B Goswick (2-1) Time -2:40 Attendance - Not ReportedHR UTPA - M Garza

BattingG AB H R HR RBI AVG

L. Alamia 9 26 13 7 0 3 .500J. McCoy 14 34 14 11 0 7 .412M. Garza 14 59 23 11 3 13 .390Tony Ortiz 14 54 19 10 0 8 .352Juan Saenz 9 25 7 0 0 4 .280Note: based on at least 25 at bats.

PitchingG IP W-L ERA SO BB

John Lopez 3 11.1 1-0 0.79 9 8Ben DiOrio 4 19.0 2-0 1.42 12 6Aaron Guerra 4 20.2 2-2 3.92 8 8Note: based on at least 10 innings pitched.

UTPA BASEBALL STATS

Date Opponent Result SiteFeb. 1 SWT W 11-3 HFeb. 2 Sch. (DH) W 13-4 HFeb. 2 Schreiner W 7-1 HFeb. 10 Lamar (DH) L 10-16 HFeb. 10 Lamar W 3-2 HFeb. 11 Lamar L 2-9 HFeb. 14 California L 5-20 AFeb. 15 Nebraska L 1-9 AFeb. 16 SWT. L 3-12 AFeb. 19 Inc. Word (DH) L 8-12 (10) HFeb. 19 Inc. Word W 4-0 HFeb. 22 Ark.-Monticello (DH) W 15-0 HFeb. 22 Ark.-Monticello W 2-1 HFeb. 23 Ark.-Monticello L 5-6 H

Date Opponent Site TimeFeb. 26 Texas Tech A CanceledFeb. 27 Texas Tech A CanceledMar. 1 TAMUCC (DH) H 4 p.m.Mar. 2 TAMUCC H 1 p.m.Mar. 4 Reynosa (Exhib.) H 7:30 p.m.Mar. 7 TAMU A 7 p.m.Mar. 8 TAMU A 7 p.m.Mar. 9 TAMU A 1 p.m.Mar. 11 Sam Hou. St. H 7 p.m.Mar. 12 Sam Hou. St. H 1 p.m.

UTPA/Al Ogletree Classic (March 14-16)Mar. 14 Iona vs. Illinois H 3 p.m.Mar. 14 Prairie View H 7 p.m.Mar. 15 Iona vs. Prairie View H 3 p.m.Mar. 15 Illinois H 7 p.m.Mar. 16 Illinois vs. Prairie View H NoonMar. 16 Iona H 7 p.m.

Mar. 17 Iona H 7 p.m.Mar. 18 Iona H 2 p.m.Mar. 25 SWT A 6:30 p.m.Mar. 26 SWT A 4 p.m.Mar. 28 Dallas Baptist H 7 p.m.Mar. 29 Dallas Baptist H 7 p.m.Apr. 1 Texas A&M-Kingsville H 5 p.m.Apr. 5 TAMUCC (DH) A 1 p.m.Apr. 6 TAMUCC A 1 p.m.Apr. 8 Texas A 6:30 p.m.Apr. 11 Oral Roberts A 7 p.m.Apr. 12 Oral Roberts A 3 p.m.Apr. 13 Oral Roberts A 1 p.m.Apr. 15 Oklahoma St. A 6:30 p.m.Apr. 16 Oklahoma St. A NoonApr. 22 Texas A 6:30 p.m.Apr. 23 Texas-San Antonio A 1 p.m.Apr. 30 Texas-San Antonio (DH)H 5 p.m.May 2 Southeastern LA A 6:30 p.m.May 3 Southeastern LA A 3:30 p.m.May 4 Southeastern LA A 1 p.m.May 16 NMSU (DH) A 2/8 p.m.May 17 NMSU (DH) A 2/8 p.m.

UTPA Baseball Schedule

Men’s Basketball TeamLeaders

PointsG Pts Pts/G

K. MITCHELL 29 424 14.6Allen Holcomb 29 308 10.6Eric Montalvo 29 262 9.0 P. Thompson 29 243 8.4T. Sitnikovas 29 237 8.2

ReboundsG Reb RB/G

A. HOLCOMB 29 217 7.5T. Sitnikovas 29 130 4.5P. Thompson 29 121 4.2

AssistsG No A/G

JAMES DAVIS 28 104 3.7Kevin Mitchell 29 96 3.3Eric Montalvo 29 56 1.9

Women’s Basketball TeamLeaders

PointsG Pts Pts/G

ALEX GRAVEL 24 331 13.8Naima Williams 27 292 10.8Jennifer Piwonka 27 208 7.7Julie Porter 27 169 6.3Amanda Carlow 27 156 5.8

ReboundsG Reb RB/G

JULIE PORTER 27 155 5.7Naima Williams 27 150 5.6Jennifer Arriola 27 109 4.0

AssistsG No. A/G

J. PIWONKA 27 85 3.1Amanda Carlow 27 80 3.0Alex Gravel 24 50 2.1

UTPA BasketballStats

By ED CHRNKOThe Pan American

See IMPROVEMENT page 13

Broncs getting better

When nationally syndicated columnist MollyIvins visited The University of Texas PanAmerican last weekend, she encouragedstudents to get politically involved by voting andbecoming aware of current issues and events.

She feels that if the majority of the people getout and vote, then they will have more politicalpower than they would’ve had.

“In this country we can’t get people interestedto vote,” said Ivins, who has long been noted forher biting and humorous political satire of Texaspoliticians such as George W. Bush and currentTexas governor Rick Perry. “Politics are thewarmth of our lives. It’s going to affecteverything in your life as long as you live.”

Ivins said it is important for students to bepolitically involved because politicians don’ttake young people seriously since most of themdon’t vote. She said students must remain activein politics and current affairs before they get outof hand.

A recent USA Today survey shows the levelof student participation in college campuses is atits lowest level in two generations. According toSamuel Freeman, professor of political scienceat UTPA, student involvement rates are lowbecause some students don’t have the time toparticipate in any events. Freeman said becauseof the poverty levels in the Valley, most studentsare forced to work while in school.

“Between school, work and family, howmuch time do they have left?” Freeman asked.“They have less free time.”

Freeman said student involvement in politicalissues at UTPA has increased and decreasedthroughout time. In some years, participation ishigh, at others it is lower.

Freeman added that students can get involvedby demonstrating or protesting on controversialissues. By doing this, he said students opinionswill be heard and changes in the laws will bemade.

“We have to take it to the streets,” saidFreeman. “It doesn’t mean riots or huge kinds of

protests. We have to do it in a correct manner sowe can make our voices heard.”

At South Texas Community College, there isa student organization that demonstrates peace.According to Freeman, members of Students forPeace have been debating more toward thepossibility of war with Iraq than students fromUTPA.

“I am amazed at STCC, a junior college whohas a peace organization while UTPA hasnothing,” Freeman said. “They have done muchmore such debating the war than students fromhere have.”

Professors at the university are encouragingstudents to get politically involved in multipleways. Freeman noted that professors are willingto advise students to demonstrate in currentevents.

“It’s not our job to lead and direct students,”Freeman said. “We are not directors, we areadvisors, but we will continue to do that for thestudents.”

Although student involvement is at its low atthe university, Freeman said compared to thepolitical movement of 1964, there are muchlarger organizations now who are protestingagainst the war. Also adding, participation incollege campuses across the country varies.

“In other campuses there is a great deal goingon,” Freeman said. “It is disappointing that notmany are involved, but we’re certainly not asbehind like in 1964.”

After 1964, Vietnam heated up and graduallyso did student protests of that conflict inSoutheast Asia. The American anti-warmovement reached a fever pitch in 1967 whenhundreds of thousands of citizens marched onthe Pentagon in Washington D.C.

On campus, Nick Braune, a TSTCphilosophy lecturer was set to participate in adebate about the possible war in Iraq today atnoon in SBS, room 101. Next Tuesday therewill be an anti-war protest on campus near thelibrary, and Freeman is scheduled to addressthose issues on March 6. So perhaps the spirit toget involved that Ivins and Freeman encouragedis starting to catch on.

February 27, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 4

Ana Cristina TobiasManagementFreshman

No, because I feel safe most of the timesince nothing serious has happened herein the Valley.

Carla PenaBusiness AdministrationSophomore

Yes because everybody needs tofeel secure especially when there’salcohol involved.

Bianca HammondBroadcast JournalismFreshman

Yes, I don’t think that the secruity atnight clubs really protect. They aremore concerned about their image.

Are you concerned aboutsafety in Valley night clubs?

Ananda MorlockTheater/T.V.-FilmFreshman

Not really. I think what happened inChicago was just a big mistake and aslong as people are more careful then itwon’t happen.

VOICECCaammppuuss

Bobby PonceUndeclaredJunior

No because I don’t go to clubs so I don’tcare.

By JENNIFER TAPIAThe Pan American

Student action solicited

“We prepare the material and send the lessonplans to the schools,” said Quintanilla.

Along with the lesson plans teachers willreceive literature concerning diabetes. Upon thecompletion of the SEEP program each studentwill be given a registration card. Each child isrequired to take the card home and registerfriends and family members who have diabetes.The cards are then returned to the UT BorderHealth Office through the child’s school.

“It is very important for people to registerbecause it’s like a census,” said Quintanilla.“We need to know how many people havediabetes so that we can receive the properfunding to help them.”

The people who are registered through thisprogram will periodically receive educationalinformation about the disease, and will receivenewsletters that feature proper diet suggestionsand adequate exercise ideas. Those who areregistered through the UT Border Health Officecan estimate that they will be in the databasefor about five years and during that time theywill be receiving their educational information.

Addie Alvarez, senior public

relations/advertising major commented thathaving a project like SEEP is very important foryoung children. At the age of 22, due to acollapse suffered in class Alvarez found out thatshe had diabetes. Not knowing how to properlycope with the disease and the reactions thestrong medication caused her, Alvarez wasforced to leave the university.

“Studying for a diabetic is harder than for anormal person," said Alvarez. "Your attentionspan and memory retention are affected by yoursugar levels.”

After 20 years Alvarez is back in school.She mentioned that she feels it is veryimportant to teach kids about diabetes at anearly age so that they can start taking propercare of themselves.

“As Hispanics because our diets we are verysusceptible to the disease,” said Alvarez. “It isimportant to teach children because it will beengraved in their brain that they have to eathealthy in order to avoid getting diabetes.”

For more information concerning diabetes orthe SEEP project contact Eddie Quintanilla atthe UT Border Health Office at 381-2820.

• Type I: the pancreas makes little or noinsulin

• TypeII: the insulin made by yourpancreashas trouble carryingthe glucose to yourbody’s cells

• Common Symptoms:- Constant thirst -Constant hunger- Fatigue -Blurred vision- Weight loss -Frequent - Tingling in urination

hands or feet

DIABETES continued from page 1

Diabetes Facts Box

February 27, 2003 Sports Page 13

Broncs honored

Senior guard Kevin Mitchell of theUniversity of Texas-Pan Americanmen’s basketball team was one of fiveplayers recently named to the 2003Verizon All-District Six Men’sBasketball Team. The team was chosenby the College Sports InformationDirectors of America. Mitchell receivedthe honor by leading UTPA in scoringby averaging 14.2 points per game,accumulating a 74.8 free throw percent-age, and averaging 3.3 assists per game.Mitchell also holds a 3.571 grade pointaverage and will be graduating in Maywith a marketing degree.

Rangers open shop

The Texas Rangers will open up the2003 Spring Training Season on Feb. 27against the Kansas City Royals at 1:05p.m. in their new spring home ofSurprise, Ariz. Last season, the Rangersfinished dead last in the competitiveWest Division of the American Leaguewith a 72-90 record. The HoustonAstros will open up their SpringTraining schedule on Feb. 28 against theMontreal Expos at Viera, Fla. in a 1:05p.m. game. The Astros finished in sec-ond place in the Central Division of theNational League with a record of 84-78.

Local CHL squadmakes trip

The Hidalgo Killer Bees will beorganizing their second bus trip toLaredo on Friday Feb. 28 to watch theLaredo Bucks face off against El Paso ina CHL game. The buses will departfrom the McAllen Civic Center at 2p.m. and will cost $30 per fan. A ticketto the game, dinner and a viewing of themovie “Slap Shot” is included in thecost of the trip. The Killer Bees kick offtheir first season this fall.

Chivas down Tuzos

The Chivas of Guadalajara defeatedthe Tuzos of Pachuca, 3-1, on Sunday atJalisco Stadium to claim the top spot inthe Mexican Soccer League’s Clausura2003 tournament. Guadalajara accumu-lated 14 points to edge Monterrey, whoalso has 14 points, by goal differential.The Rayados tied with Atlas 2-2 onSaturday at the Tecnologico Stadium inMonterrey. In San Luis Potosi, the

Tigres of UNL lost to the host club 2-0.The Monterrey-based Tigres dropped tofifth place with the loss.

Rock pins Hogan

The Rock managed to defeat HulkHogan in the main event at No Way Out2003 last Sunday night. Stone ColdSteve Austin also marked his return toWWE (formerly WWF) by crushing hisformer WCW boss, Eric Bischoff. Inanother match, Triple H held on to hisWorld Heavyweight Championship titleby holding off Scott Steiner.

Tyson KOs Etienne

It took “Iron” Mike Tyson just 49 sec-onds to put away Clifford Etienne lastSaturday night at the Pyramid inMemphis and renew his hopes of arematch with heavyweight championLennox Lewis. One of the undercardbouts featured former Olympic skaterTonya Harding making her debut in thepro boxing circuit. Harding lost a splitdecision to Samantha Browning whoalso was making her pro debut.

On Saturday, March 1, WBA heavy-weight champion John Ruiz will rumblewith Roy Jones Jr. in a 12-round bout atthe Thomas & Mack Center in LasVegas. The championship fight will bebroadcast on HBO.

Jordan hits 40, twice

Michael Jordan celebrated his 40thbirthday by becoming the NBA’s first40-40 player during Washington’s 89-86win over New Jersey Friday night.Jordan scored 43 points in the victoryand became the first 40-year-old NBAplayer to score 40 points in a game.Jordan hit 18 of 30 shots and madeseven of eight free throws.

Tennis teams fall

Both the Broncs and Lady Broncsdropped matches Sunday. The UTPAmen’s team fell 5-2 to SoutheasternLouisiana in its Southland Conferenceseason opener, while Southwest TexasState steamrolled the Lady Broncs 7-0.Against SWT, the Broncs earned pointsat number three and number five sin-gles.

Matt Gower beat Matt Tate 2-6, 7-6,7-5 at the third spot, while Oliver Steilbeat Paul Birkett at the fifth position 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

SSPPOORRTTSS CCLLIIPPBBOOAARRDD“Offensively, I thought we werephenomenal in the second half,” saidinterim coach Tracy Anderson. “We hadsome easy baskets because of theturnovers and that’s something we haven’tbeen able to do until today.”

“It was about adjustment and we didthat at half time,” Gravel said.

In their previous game, the team failedto make it happen down the stretch. LastThursday, UTPA dropped a heartbreakerto Lipscomb in the final seconds of thegame 66-65 when Kendra Ramsey scoredthe winning basket with four seconds lefton the clock.

Pan Am made a last ditch effort with2.1 seconds left in the game, but SouthDakota native Carlow missed her jumpshot at the buzzer as the Lady Broncs lostfor the ninth time this season at theFieldhouse.

“She made a tough shot. It happens,”

Gravel said on the heart-wrenching loss toLipscomb.

The Lady Broncs will wrap up their2002-03 season against Independent rivalCentenary on March 1 at the Fieldhouse,on what has been designated as SeniorDay.

“I want to come out and play the bestgame that I can and leave Pan Am withsomething to remember me by,” Williamssaid.

“I’m excited because we’re playingCentenary. We have a big rivalry withthem, but it’s going to be reallyemotional. It would be nice to finish witha win,” leading scorer Gravel said.

“It’s been kind of bittersweet. It’s beena tremendous year and I’m lookingforward to the last game and also a bit sadbecause it’s been a lot of fun and we’replaying really good basketball right now,”Anderson said.

LADY BRONCS continued from page 15

posted a woeful 7.26 ERA, but this seasonUTPA hurlers have thrown for a 5.42ERA.

“We’ve played hard for the most part,”first year head coach Willie Gawlik said.“We’re playing and pitching well. We’relearning on the run.”

In mid-February,Pan Am’s pitchingwore out after astrong 4-2 start anddropped four straightgames includingbeing outscored 41-9in the ExpressCollege Classic (Feb.14-16).

However, in thelast four games, theBroncs have gone 3-1 by scoring anaverage of 6.5 runsper game whileUTPA pitching has held their opponentsto 1.75 runs per game which has bolsteredthe team’s ERA on the strength of someinnovative pitching techniques thatGawlik has resorted to.

“They’re working hard and trying to getbetter. We have to shore up and get somemore pitching,” said Gawlik on the lackof pitching on the Bronc roster.

In order to rest a tired pitching staff,Gawlik has resorted to using positionplayers such as John Lopez, Aaron Guerra

and Juan Saenz to step up onto the moundand they have done just that by pitchingsome quality innings in recent games.

“That’s a pretty tough assignment, butLopez has stepped up, Saenz has done thesame thing and Guerra hasn’t pitched

since high school, butthey’ve met thechallenge,” Gawliksaid.

The Broncs willplay 13 of their next18 games at home,but will face somepretty toughcompetition duringthe home stretch,matching up againstthe likes ofTAMUCC and SamHouston StateUniversity.

Pan Am’s schedulewon’t get any easier, since the Broncswill close out the last stretch of theseason by playing 18 of their last 20games on the road.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Gawliksaid on the upcoming stretch. “We’ve gotto be able to adjust and move ahead.”

Last season, after UTPA’s rocky 2-12start, the Broncs only managed to go 13-26, which included losing their last sevengames of the 2001-/02 season to finish at15-38.

IMPROVEMENT continued from page 14

They’re workinghard and trying to

get better. Wehave to shore up

and get somemore pitching

““

- Willie Gawlik, head baseball coach

February 27, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 5February 27, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 12

Diversity is everywhere, and it issomething universities throughout the nationstrive for. At some schools, the concept refersto American ethnic minorities, and at others,international students are part of that mix.

In the 2002 fall semester there were 430international students registered at theUniversity of Texas-Pan American and anestimated 583,000 international studentsenrolled in the United States. Along with therising number of international studentsattending universities, the post-Sept. 11security level has increased as well. Severalof the 9-11 terrorists entered the countryeither through student visas or other laximmigration programs.

The Immigration and NaturalizationService (INS), which will cease to exist onMarch 1 will be folded into one departmentof the Dept. of Homeland Security, hasrecently implemented a new program touniversities nationwide. The Student andExchange Visitor Information System (knownas SEVIS) is a new INS student monitoringand tracking systemdevised to make aquicker process ofobtaining studentinformation by using anational computerdatabase instead ofmaintainingindividuals’ files oncampus.

The InternationalStudent AdvisementOffice (ISAO) atUTPA, along with anyschool in the U.S. withinternational studentsenrollment, wasrequired to submit a re-certification application for havinginternational students to INS. Along with there-certification process there was an INSonsite visit at UTPA in December, which ledto the campus’ approval on Jan 29.Universities that were not approved will nolonger be able to enroll international studentson their campuses.

The ISAO is now required to immediatelyreport student information to the INS viaInternet. Information on the students includevisas status, enrollment hours, a change ofaddress, employment, and graduation date.The information also includes the terminationdate of studies and reason, updated financialinformation and a list of other issues thatmight change depending on futureregulations.

The ISAO website explained that there arenew international documents are being issuedto all of our current students that contain abarcode. At every U.S. port of entry orcheckpoint, officials will be able to scan astudent’s barcode and immediately accesstheir SEVIS records. If there is a violationagainst INS regulations, and the UTPA officehas reported violations through SEVIS,students may suffer detainment, fines,deportations or forbiddance of entering theUS.

Though the new security is created torestrict violations against INS regulations, arecent article in The Monitor mentioned that amember of the Layers Committee for HumanRights feels that SEVIS is “just another

instance of the government collecting massiveinformation trying to get leads for terrorismsuspects by really casting a broader net thanis effective.”

Philip Clay, UTPA Adviser for ForeignStudents, considers the issue to be positive tothose who wish to obtain an education inAmerica.

“Upon arrival at the U.S. Port of Entry, allinternational students sign documents givingpermission to immigration authorities toaccess that information during their stay inthe U.S.,” Clay said. “As an internationalstudent present in the U.S., they must abideby the regulations that govern their stay. Thissystem will inform immigration of violatorsand enable immigration to detain, deport, orcancel visas of violators.”

According to Clay, all internationalstudents will be in the SEVIS system.Currently there are 440 F-1 students (non-immigrant visa for international students toenter the US pursuing academic studies) andapproximately 30 Exchange Students/Visitorsper year who attend UTPA.

Clay noted that SEVIS is a program thathas been in development by the INS since

1995, and is anecessity for alluniversities.

“It will strengthenthe security of ourborders, monitor thosewho are in the U.S. onstudent visas, andbring the terminationof habitual violators ofU.S. immigrationregulations by studentswho do not seriouslytake the privilege thatthey have been grantedto study in the U.S.”he said. “Internationalstudents are permitted

to study in the U.S. but along with thatprivilege is the responsibility to abide byimmigration regulations.”

Clay said SEVIS is one of the programsthat will be part of immigration indefinitelyand that the immigration process will onlybecome stricter and more efficient in thefuture.

“The days of free and open access to thosewho would willfully and knowingly violatevisa regulations without consequences areover,” he said. “Should another terroristattack occur in the U.S. I can foresee apossible temporary moratorium oninternational students being issued visas andan even longer and stricter backgroundchecks on the issuance of visas.”

Janie Giambri, assistant foreign studentadviser, said that most students understandthe new program and have been considerateof the extra work the employees have to do.

“I think that at this point people understandthe actions that are taken towardimmigration,” Giambri said. “Immigrationhas come under fire since Sept. 11 and SEVISshows that.”

Freshman electrical engineering majorLaura Espinoza is an international student andsays she understands why there is anenforcement with student VISAs.

“It’s not that difficult to go through thepaperwork, but it is just another task that wehave to do.” she said. “It’s necessary for thesecurity of the U.S. and to keep everyonehere safe.”

Stringent rules forforeign studentsBy CLARISSA MARTINEZThe Pan American

It is said that the secret of discipline ismotivation. Today, residents of SouthTexas will be able to catch a glimpse ofthat secret by attending the TopPerformance Live seminar with featheredguest Zig Ziglar, hosted by the McAllenChamber of Commerce at the BaptistTemple in McAllen.

The all-day seminar will includesessions such The Critical Skills TopPerformers Must Master, WhatMotivation Will Do...And What It Won'tDo, Become Your Company's MostValuable Asset, The American Dream IsAlive And Well, and others.

Zig Ziglar is a motivational speakerand author who has been able to breakdown barriers between age, culture andoccupation in his seminars. Since 1970,he has traveled over five million milesacross the world delivering lifeimprovement messages and cultivatingthe energy of change.

According to the web siteziglartraining.com, Ziglar has been partof workshops with Presidents Ford,Reagan and Bush, current Secretary ofState Colin Powell and a number of U.S.congressmen and governors.

He has also shared the platform withGen Norman Schwarzkopf, who visitedUTPA last year as part of the OutstandingLeadership Series.

Ziglar has been recognized three timesin the Congressional Record of theUnited States for his work with youth inthe drug war, and for his dedication toAmerica and the free enterprise system.

Ryan Leggett is a representative ofZiglar Training Sessions and says that thecorporation is built upon the samephilosophy Ziglar emphasizes to hisaudiences. When someone believes inhard work, common sense, fairness,commitment and integrity anything ispossible.

Headquartered in Dallas, ZiglarTraining Systems offers public seminars,customized educational programs,workshops and keynote speakers thatfocus on personal and professionaldevelopment. Client lists includesthousands of small and mid-sizebusinesses, Fortune 500 Companies, U.S.Government agencies, churches, schools,and nonprofit associations.

Leggett said that even though thecompany has targeted places such as NewYork,

Philadelphia and Chicago, coming toMcAllen and areas such as the RioGrande Valley is now on the agenda as

well.“Smaller cities don’t really have many

opportunities to have motivationalspeakers such as Ziglar come down,”Leggett said. “Zig can teach people howto be motivated and realize how tobalance life with accomplishments.”

In addition to Ziglar, additionalfeatured speakers will be Bryan Flanagenwhose clients include Fortune 500companies, and Krish Dhanam, directorof international operations for ZiglarTraining Systems.

“Zig Ziglar’s seminars are hands-ontraining for those who seek skills thatwill help them in their career,” Leggettsaid. “There are some people who thinkthey are great accountants, great lawyersor great doctors. With this training theycan realize that to be a better worker, youhave to first work on becoming a betterperson.”

Ziglar has also written 22 books andnine titles have been on bestseller lists.His books focus on personal growth,leadership, sales, faith, family andsuccess. His books and tapes have beentranslated into over 38 languages anddialects. The 25th Anniversary RevisedEdition of See You at the Top and StayingUp, Up, Up in a Down, Down Worldwere released in 2000. His autobiography,ZIG, was published in July 2002.

“I would encourage anyone to go seeZig speak,” Leggett said. “He is such adynamic speaker that if you aren’tmotivated in the first 10 minutes you arethere, you better be checked into ahospital, because something’s wrong withyou.”

Ziglar comes to townBy CLARISSA MARTINEZThe Pan American

anywhere if the welcome is extended.“I always enjoy doing this and I go

everywhere that I’m invited,” de la Garzasaid. “Dr. Polinard was kind enough toinvite me.”

De la Garza has been interested inspeaking in front of students for sometime.

“I always thought that I would like to,some day when I came back, teach at auniversity or college,” he said. “This isone of the opportunities that I have tocome and visit with students.”

Tuesday’s visit with UTPA studentsgave him an opportunity to share hisexperience, knowledge and advice with a

younger generation.De la Garza said the best advice he has

for students is to know the value of theireducation. He continued his education atEdinburg Junior College and the U.S.Army Artillery School at Fort Sill,Oklahoma. He served in the Koreanconflict as a second lieutenant with theArmy’s 37th Division Artillery and in1952, de la Garza returned to Texas toearn a law degree at St. Mary’s Universityin San Antonio.

“Education is the basis for better living,better economics…for better everything,”de la Garza said. “Having an education isa very important part of life.”

SPEAKER continued from page 1

The days of freeand open access tothose who wouldwillfully andknowingly violate visaregulations withoutconsequences areover.

““

- Philip Clay,UTPA Adviser to Foreign Students

ZIG ZIGLAR

February 27, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 6

Panel DiscussionThe Call to Serve FederalPanel Discussion willtake place Monday,March 3, 2003 in theUniversity Ballroom fromnoon to 1pm. The dis-cussion will includeinformation pertaining tothe retirement of federalcivilian employees. Participating agenciesare: Alcohol, Tobacco,and Fire Arms (ATF),Center for DiseaseControl (CDC), CentralIntelligence Agency(CIA), Internal RevenueService (IRS), the NavyRecruiting District- SanAntonio, Office OfPersonal Management(OPM), U.S. Departmentof Agriculture (USDA),U.S. Marshal Service,and the U.S. PeaceCorps. Refreshments will beprovided. The event issponsored by CareerPlacement Services. Formore information, call381-2243 or go by SSBRoom 147.

30th Annual Career DayWill be held Tuesday,March 4, at the UTPAField house from 9 am to3pm. There will beinternship and permanentplacement opportunities.Go by office to sign upfor campus interviews.Dress professional andbring plenty of resumes.All majors are welcome.For more information onparticipating employerscontact or visit CareerPlacement Services SSBroom 147.

How to Land A FederalJob Workshop Will be held Thursday,February 27 from noon to1 pm at the StudentServices Building in

room 153. The workshopis presented by CareerPlacement Services. Call381-2243.

Annual Culture NightThe International StudentsAssociation will be host-ing the annualInternational CultureNight on Friday, March7th. The night willinclude singing, dancingand cultural entertainmentby Soly Luna Dance Club from6 pm to 8 pm at the UTPAFine Arts Auditorium. Over A dozen differentcountries will be repre-sented and delicaciesfrom several nations willbe shared starting at 6pm. Tickets are $4 inadvance and $5 at thedoor. Call 316-2453 or 387- 0906 for more infor-mation.

NSF DayUTPA will be holdingNSF day on Monday,March 3. For completedetails visit the OSRCalendar of Events webpage atwww.panam.edu/dept./sponsor/whatsnew/whats_new.html.

Peace RallyAsian AmericanAssociation will be hold-ing a Peace Rally againstthe potential war withIraq on Tuesday, March 4th atnoon. It will be held infront of the Media Centersouth of the library. Therewill be guest speakers onthe topic. Chinese andIndian food will be sold atthe event. The AmericanSign Language club willalso participate. If youwould like to help, pleasee-mail asian_ameri-can2001@hotmail.com.

Febru

ary

Need funds for Fall 2003 semester? Don’tdespair.

The University of Texas Pan American willhold its 11th Annual Financial Aid Fair onThursday, March 6 to assist students in applyingfor financial aid. The event, this year titled,“Celebrating 75 Years of Excellence” will takeplace in the Student Union Lobby.

The first session will be held from 9 a.m. to 2p.m. during which the UTPA Financial AidServices staff will be dressed in outfitsrepresenting the different decades of the school’shistory between the 1920s and 1990s.

“We want to keep it fresh and exciting,” saidWilliam Morley, UTPA workstudy coordinator.“We all know that filling out forms is not themost exciting thing in the world so we want totry and make it at least semi-entertaining forstudents.”

To add to the fun there will also be food,games, and door prizes. The staff will assistcurrent students as well as prospective studentsin filling out their Free Application for FederalStudent Aid (FAFSA) form that will cover theFall 2003, Spring 2004, and Summer 2004semesters.

“The U.S. government Department ofEducation has made the FAFSA pretty simple tofill out,” Morley said. “It has a stigma of beingcomplicated, but in reality it is very, very easy.Of course if you are filling it out for the firsttime it may seem difficult and that is where wecome into place.”

To fill out the FAFSA students need to bringtheir 2002 tax return and if they file asdependent then they need to bring their parents’2002 tax return as well. If students have not filed

their taxes yet their will be Vita volunteers onsite to help them fill out the 1040A and 1040EZtax forms. Vita is a Texas based organizationthat trains community volunteers to help peoplefill out their tax forms free of charge.

“The fair will give students a chance to geteverything done in one shot and have fun whilethey are doing it,” Morley said.

There will also be an evening session from 5p.m. to 7 p.m. for those students who cannotmake it during the day. However, the extraactivities will not take place during this session.

“The evening session is designed more fornight students who cannot attend during the daybecause they are working,” Morley said. “Wewill only have the most important parts,financial aid and tax return preparation.”

The process to fill out the FAFSA takes about10 to 15 minutes depending on the students’information and on the number of studentspresent. The fairs in the past have had a turnoutof 900-1,200 students. Several Valley highschool students will also be attending.

“We will give each student the time andattention they need,” Morley said. “Somestudents have straightforward information andare easy to do, but others have a complicatedfinancial situation and they may take longer.”

For those students who are unable to attendthe fair, the Financial Aid Services Office holdssessions in its Express Lab, located in the oldcomputer center next to the Student Union inroom 113. Staff is available to assist studentswith their FAFSA form during these sessions.

For dates and times students can go to theFinancial Aid Office room 186 located in theStudent Services Building or log on towww.panam.edu/finaid. For more informationabout the fair contact the Financial Aid Office at381-250.

Aid fair approachingBy AMELIA GARCIAThe Pan American

Embarking on its second semester on campus,the University of Texas-Pan AmericanEnvironmental Awareness Club plans to build itsmembership.

The EAC became an active organization inFall 2002. Kelly Hobbs, a

senior majoring in political science, chose tostart the EAC as part of a class assignment.

“I wanted to start an organization,” she said. “Idid this for a lab project.”

Kathryn Dodd, adviser and biologydepartment lecturer, requires students in herEnvironmental Biology course to create anenvironmentally based project.

Once the paperwork went through, Hobbs setgoals and began the hunt for officers andmembers. The group now has about 30 members,but it plans to continue recruitment.

“We hope to continually increase membership.I’d like to see the EAC build a strongmembership base,” she said. “This is a studentclub and the students will mold its future.”

The organization plans to focus on educationthrough its members. As the club helps thecommunity become aware environmentally, andprovides methods to solve these problems.

“The purpose of the EAC is to createawareness within the student body and thecommunity about environmental problems andpotential solutions,” Dodd said.

Hobbs, EAC president, said the group’s short-term goals for this year are to recruit membersand increase funds. However, lack of numbers inmanpower and finances have not put the club’sactivities on hold.

“They all have ways to contribute,” Dodd said.“Even though they don’t come to all themeetings, they still participate.”

Within one semester, the Environmental

Awareness Club accomplished the following: • The organization adopted a park in the

community, and periodically organizes cleanupefforts to maintain the park.

• Members participated in fundraisingactivities such as Night of Lights.

• Officers set up booths in membership driveslike the Recruitment Fair at UTPA.

• The club works closely with the City ofEdinburg Recycling Center to raise awareness ofthe importance of recycling.

When the club achieves a particular goal,members decide what issues to focus on next.Hobbs explains that when a person wants totarget an issue, she gathers information andresources on that topic.

“Any idea that anybody has, I will pursue it,”Hobbs said. “As long as it doesn’t go againstany university policies.”

For future projects, the group plans to developties with other UTPA organizations.

“We want to cooperate with the engineeringdepartment,” said Noel Escobar, vice presidentof the EAC. “Where they actually build a house,a bio-dome, that’s more environmentally friendlyand consumes less electricity.”

Building a bio-dome, distributing water-savingshower heads, and even educating businessmajors about the environment, are examples oftopics the club discusses at its meetings.Environmental experts are invited to speak at themeetings once a month.

These meetings are held every other Tuesday.The EAC met Wednesday in room 307A of theUniversity Center, to focus on current andpotential Earth Day activities. National Earth Dayoccurs annually on April 22.

“We’re excited that the EAC has met withsuch enthusiasm on campus,” Dodd said. “Welook forward to continued growth, and mostimportantly, achieving our goals of contributingto environmental education.”

Enviro Club germinatingBy OMAIRA GALARZAThe Pan American

Campus CalendarFebruary 27, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 11

Oscar season is upon us onceagain and the Valley has recentlyreceived a spate of high-profile,buzz-worthy releases.

Most of these won’t stay forlong, just until the awards aregiven, and some have already gone.Bearing this in mind, I made sureto catch Best Picture nominees“The Pianist” and “The Hours” assoon as they hit local theaters.

“The Pianist,” a Holocaustsurvival tale, has been hailed as areturn to form for legendaryfilmmaker Roman Polanski(“Rosemary’s Baby,”

“Chinatown”). While his latesteffort is admittedly superior torecent missteps “The Ninth Gate”and “Bitter Moon,” I wasdisappointed to find that this film issomewhat overrated.

It tells the story of world-renowned pianist WladyslawSzpilman, played quite beautifullyby the accomplished, oft-overlooked Adrien Brody (“King ofthe Hill,” “Summer of Sam”).Szpilman’s family is soon capturedand herded with other Polish Jewsby the Nazi army officers. ButSzpilman’s status eventually leadsto an opportunity for escape, whichhe finally, and quite reluctantly,takes.

What follows is a touching, yetrather familiar saga of one man’striumph over incredible odds. Thefilm avoids the flashiness of mostWWII-era pictures, and its starkrealism is what gives it suchamazing power.

Sadly, however, this is a storywhich has been told before, in oneform or another, and whilePolanski admits that it is his mostpersonal work, it’s difficult for anaudience to fully connect to acharacter undergoing the exactsame struggle found in so manyother movies.

This is not the film’s fault by anymeans, and perhaps a viewer naiveof the horrors of the Holocaust willse this and be incredibly moved.

But the enormous buzz surrounded“The Pianist” was a bit misleading,bringing to mind rapper Chuck D’sclassic anthem “Don’t Believe theHype.”

Yet another overrated nomineethis year for Best Picture is “TheHours.”

Based on Michael Cunningham’saward-winning novel, this uniquedrama revolves around late authorVirginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman),her novel “Mrs. Dalloway,” and thelives of two other women (JulianneMoore, Meryl Streep) who seem toshare a common thread with thefamous writer and her literaryheroine. These three stories takeplace at three different times in the20th century, and director StephenDaldry masterfully cuts back andforth with astonishing fluidity,keeping the viewer not only awareof what’s happening, butthoroughly involved.

The ensemble cast in this film isunbelievable. There isn’t a singlefalse note in any of theperformances, and Kidman is arevelation, not only transformingher physical features for the role,but perceptions of her as an actressas well

If in some minds she has not yetceased being Mrs. Tom Cruise, thisrole is sure to make a name forherself as an artist.

No less amazing is Streep,making this her second stunning

portrayal this year, playing writerSusan Orlean in Spike Jonze’sbrilliant, bizarre “Adaptation.”

The middle storyline, set in the1950s, focuses on an unravelinghousewife, played with typicalexcellence by Moore. This rolegives Moore one of her two Oscarnods this year for Best SupportingActress, the other being for BestActress in “Far From Heaven.”

But the real star of the film isreally Philip Glass’ hauntinglybeautiful score, nominated for BestMusical Score, which ties each ofthe narrative strands together.

In the initial strand, we findWoolf writing a letter to herdevoted husband and committingsuicide shortly after. The film thenbacktracks to a time when she wasverging on madness, but stillcapable of starting a novel (“Mrs.Dalloway”). Her husband suffersher slings and arrows as shewrestles her inner demons onto thepages in front of her. One needn’thave read her novel to gain anunderstanding of its themes, andeven if you don’t grasp them rightaway, Daldry’s film will hammerthem into one’s brain in 114minutes.

The second strand finds Moore’semotionally crippled characterstruggling to remain aloft for herwide-eyed son, while desperatelyattempting to make a cake for herhusband’s birthday.

And in the modern-day strand,Streep is a complex, aging NewYork book editor working herselfragged in an effort to put on aparty. The shindig is set to honorrenowned poet Richard Brown (EdHarris) who, incidentally, keepshimself locked up in a dingyapartment where he is slowly butsurely succumbing to the AIDSvirus.

“The Hours” doesn’t make formuch of a date movie, and few willwalk out of the theater smiling. Butfor those that don’t mind adepressing, yet challenging andthought-provoking film loaded withdynamic performances, one coulddo worse than watching “TheHours.” Roberto Benigni’s“Pinocchio,” anyone?

By KEIL SHULTSThe Pan American

Buzzworthy films, Oscar nods

■ Theater production 8-9

■ Culture Club . . . . . . 10

■ Movie reviews . . . . . 11ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 7

AroundTown

‘Frida’Feb. 28 at 3 and 7 p.m.Place: Student UnionTheaterEvent: The highlyacclaimed film ‘Frida,’detailing the life of Mexicanartist Frida Khalo, will beshown. Because the film israted ‘R,’ restrictedadmission will be enforced.

Mariachi/FolklorioConcertMarch 1 at 2 and 7 p.m.,March 2 at 2 p.m.Place: La Joya PerformingArts Center (the redbuilding) 604 Coyote Drivein La Joya.Event: The La JoyaPerforming Arts Center’s2003 Mariachi/FolkloricoSpring Concert will featureMariachi Los Coyotes andGrupo Folklorico Tabasco.Phone: (956) 580-5161

Starr County Youth FairMarch 7 through 9Place: Starr CountyFairgrounds, U.S. Highway83, Rio Grande City.Event: The fair will featurelivestock, arts & crafts,baked goods, and youthcompetitions. Chick, rabbit,pig and calf scrambles willbe held March 7 and March8. The fair will also featurea parade on March 8 at 10a.m. Crossfire will performMarch 8 and Jaime y LosChamacos will play onMarch 9, both from 8 to 12p.m.Phone: (956) 383-4974

Guest speakerMarch 10 at 2 p.m.Place: Weslaco BiculturalMuseum, 515 S. Kansas inWeslacoEvent: Weslaco native,artist and Director of theDonna Hooks FletcherMuseum Laura Lincoln willspeak about the BenitezTheater family and peoplewho have contributed tothe Mid-Valley’s Hispanicheritage.Phone: (956) 968-9142

The University of Texas-PanAmerican Dance Ensemble ishaving its annual spring concertsfrom Feb. 27 to March 1. Theconcerts will be held in the FineArts Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. eachnight.

The dancers and teacherscooperating in the event have beenpracticing since the fall semester tobe able to prepare accordingly forthe upcoming concert as stated byMelinda Blomquist, dance professorand coordinator for the company.

"Most of the works on the showare new works for the company,"Blomquist said. "They have beenworking hard to learn thechoreography [to] prepare for the

concert."The program is filled with a

diverse choreography, andaccording to junior dance majorVanessa Lopez, the concert willhave a lot more action this year thanit did last year. She added thatworking with several people,including Nina Martin, thecompany's guest artist for thisconcert, has been a valuableexperience.

"There is a lot more action thisyear than the past semester withmore movement, energy, andactivity throughout [all of the]pieces," Lopez stated. "It is great tohave an opportunity to work withdifferent people [because] it makesyou a better dancer."

As Blomquist pointed out, moderndance is an art form where

everybody can take and interpretsomething different from the dances

presented. There are avariety of works in theshow and there issomething that can appealto everyone. This concert isalso a great opportunity forthe viewers to learn moreabout dance and discover anew perspective of dancethey might not haveencountered before.

Assistant professor ofdance Dana Shackelford ispart of the program afterchoreographing one piececalled "Feel the Echo." Init, she said her goal is forthe dancers to movethrough space with such anenergy that it invites theaudience to come along forthe ride.

She said the dancers areready to perform Thursdayand she has enjoyedworking with them.

"I am very happy to seetheir growth as dancers, aswell as their ability to worktogether on a piece thatrequires so muchcooperation as anensemble," Shackelfordsaid.

Some of the studentswho are part of the danceensemble stated that theyare going to do wellbecause they have put longhours into the program.Marta Anaya, a senior pre-med major, said that theyhave been practicing sincethe summer. SophomoreDavid Ibarra also said thatthey have practiced all yearto get the pieces together,preparing them even morefor this upcoming concert.

Dancer Leticia Martinezalso feels that after all the

By ARIANNA VASQUEZThe Pan American

Marla Anayapractices for thespring concert.

Dance is in the Air

David Ibarra and Vanessa Lopez of the UTPA Dance Ensemble practice for the upcomingconcerts. The Ensemble will perform Feb. 27 through March 1 in the Fine Arts Auditorium.

practice, the performance is going tocome out well because overall it is agood dance team.

Martin, the guest artist for thisconcert, said the students have beenreally great in cooperating with herand her piece titled "EndlessEfforts," which is set in the contextof work being sacred. It is acontemporary piece that willenhance the dancers’ talents byproviding a mixture of text, dance,and singing throughout the piece.

As Martin pointed out, the piecegave the students a lot of room toexpress themselves and try out newskills.

"My piece has been done in a lotof different universities, but in PanAm it has taken a Hispanic twist,"Martin said. "They had to writesome of the text and I thought it wasinteresting because they reallychanged the piece."

UTPA faculty members likeShackelford feel very lucky to haveMartin as part of the concert becauseshe is an established postmoderndance artist who has shared hertalents with the dance company.

All of the dancers and facultyinvolved in the company hope toshow what that have worked hard onthe performance.

"They are a great group ofdancers to work with," Blomquistcommented. "I have felt privilegedto work with them this year."

Special to The Pan American

Special toThe Pan American

They are agreat group

of dancers towork with. “

“

- Melinda Blomquist,dance professor

February 27, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 10

Movie: “The Count of Monte Cristo”Book: “The Stranger” by Albert CamusWebsite: yahoo.com

Book: Books on forensic scienceMovie: “Lord of the Rings”Website: hotmail.com

CD: “Alejandro Sanz - MTV Unplugged”Book: “Romeo and Juliet” by ShakespeareMovie: “Center Stage”

Monica VazquesFreshmanComputer Science

Diana RodriguezJuniorComputer Science

Sergio VillarrealJuniorGraphic Design

CULTURE CLUBWhat students like to read, listen to and surf.

The

When the young couple,Bobby Soto and Didi Duron,auditioned for the musical“Good News,” they had noidea they would be cast toplay something very familiarto their everyday lives.

Soto and Duron managed toland themselves playing acouple on stage after havingseen each other off stage forthe past two months.

“It’s just a matter of chancethat we got to play a coupleon stage, we didn’t plan it,”Duron said.

Duron will be playing thepart of Babe O’Day oppositeSoto, who will be playingBobby Randall, Babe’s malecounterpart.

Participating in the show asa couple means that thecouple spends so much timetogether at rehearsal that it israre they have time tothemselves.

“Our whole life is anemergency, we’re alwaysbusy… Its rare that weactually get to do stuff, itsreally rare when we canactually find time to go watcha movie together,” Soto said.

Didi continued to finish hissentence, “We really don’t doanything because we’re tiredand stuff. We don’t only havethe show to deal with, but wealso have classes and work.”

When the couple does havetime to be with each other, itsusually just spent relaxing athome. “We just hang out andbe with each other, that’s

enough for me,” Soto said. The two students not only

do the show together, but alsoattend the same classes atschool. In fact, that is howthey met.

“Well, we met in acting I,and now, we’re taking actingII, theatre appreciation, andchildren’s theatre together,”Duron said.

Though the workload maybe heavy for the two thespiansin love, they claim thatworking together as actors onstage is a little bit easier thanworking with completestrangers.

“The acting load is a lotlighter. Its more comfortable,I’m real comfortable workingwith Didi. The chemistry isthere,” Soto said, “and whenwe work with our ownchemistry instead ofdeveloping it fromsomewhere else, it’s a loteasier.”

Before their relationshipexisted, they were in a pastUTPA show together called“Time Flies.”

“We were in the samescene…” Soto said.

“We were friends then, itwasn’t till the end of thatsemester that we gottogether,” Duron finished.

Doing shows together isgreat for the couple since itprovides them with sufficienttime to spend with each other,even if they are justrehearsing kissing scenes.

“It’s a lot of fun to do ashow with her, because I thinkit would be a little sad tospend all that time rehearsingwithout her,” Soto said.

During warm-up, thecouple was teased from othercast members about theirmatching shirts and openaffection.

“We just bought theseyesterday and it’s just bychance The Pan Americandecided to interview uswearing matching shirts,”Duron said.

The teasing from the castmembers is usually takenlightheartedly, “They alwayssee us hugging and that’swhen they’ll go and bring outthe water hose,” Soto joked.

“No, they always look at ushugging and say ‘aw,’” Duronfinished.

Cast member FabianCuellar thinks it’s warm to seethe couple’s open affection,“Its kind of cute to see them,they’re real affectionate andits refreshing to see their goodrelationship reflect on stage.”

Romantic leadsReal-life couple takes relationship to center stage

By AARON LOZANOThe Pan American

Didi Duron (Babe O’Day) and Bobby Soto (Bobby Randall) act a scene from the Theater Department’slatest performance ‘Good News.’ Duron and Soto have taken their real-life romance to the stage.

Aaron Lozano/The Pan American

It’s just amatter of

chance thatwe got to

play a coupleon stage, wedidn’t plan it. “

“

- Didi Duron, actor

February 27, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 9February 27, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 8

What’s college withoutfootball? For many Broncs, it’sjust the same, but for the mostrecent University of Texas-PanAmerican musical production,“Good News,” college involvesnothing but pigskin and theromance behind it.

“It’s all about love andfootball,” said Michael Moore,stage manager for “Good News,”which runs through March 2.

The musical, set in the 1920s,comes together through a castwhich dances, sings and acts incharacter complete with periodcostumes, hats and wigs.

“It takes place in 1928 and wedo a little Charleston dancing, ithas great moments and thecostuming is amazing,” saidchorus member Daniel Vela.

Kate Ellis, costume designer, isvery pleased to see the cast enjoytheir wardrobe and is excited tosee the costumes turn out so well.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing this showcome together,” Ellis said. “Thecast seems to really enjoy theclothes and work with them.”

The cast includes a total of 33members. According to Ellis, it’srare for a group of that size toperform in the media theatre.

The cast includes four UTPAcheerleaders who are new to theUTPA stage. For authenticity,director Pat McEnnis wanted realcheerleaders to play the role ofthe ‘Good News’ college cheeringsquad.

“It has been a differentexperience from what I expected,”said UTPA and ‘Good News’cheerleader Dustin Johnson, whohas never been on stage before,“It was a good idea because itprovided an equal opportunity forother UTPA programs toparticipate in theatre.”

McEnnis, who appeared in theoriginal Broadway production of“Bye, Bye, Birdie” and alsoappeared in “How To Succeed inBusiness Without Really Trying,”

has a lot to bring to this showbecause of her previousexperience in working withmusicals.

“She’s very demanding of us, Iused to work with her in costumerun for our last show ‘Lost InYonkers,’” cast member MarkGuerra said.

A demanding person who goesby her instincts, McEnnis has,according to cast members, afavorite line: “This could changetomorrow.”

“The crew must be veryflexible with Pat, every day shemay change her mind,” Mooresaid.

Fabian Cuellar, a newcomer tostage musicals, plays Sylvesterand is happy with the way Ellishas run the show.

“I got a hug from her yesterday,she’s very nurturing. This is myfirst musical, I like that you workin groups like the chorus, it’s awonderful group effort andeveryone works well together,”Cuellar said, “She did a great jobcasting.”

A strong director, great cast,music and amazing costumes havesparked many enthusiastic theatrelovers already.

“The phone has not stopped

ringing, we get phone calls everyday from people needing moreinformation,” box office managerMonica Quintanilla said.

According to Quintanilla,musicals always draw a largercrowd. This may be due to thefeeling audience members getwhen watching a live musical.

“On average, musicals bring inlarger numbers because it givesaudiences a Broadway feeling,”Moore said.

Tuesday night, “Good News”held an open dress rehearsal freeto the public.

“The crowd estimated to be anaudience of one hundred,”Quintanilla said.

“It’s a good hearted musicalthat has the energy and theessence of the ‘20s all wrapped upin a show filled with love,football and comedy,” AngelGarcia (Beef) said.

A show like this can be a realeye-opener to the way things werewith college life in the 1920s.

Mark Guerra (Coach Johnson)encourages everybody to comesee the show, “Its just going to bea lot of fun to watch. It’s going tobe cool to see a show aboutfootball that was written about 75years ago.”

‘Good News’When: Through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m.

Where: Albert Jeffers Theatre

Price: $10 for reserved seating; $5 generaladmission; UTPA students/faculty/staff free with validID.

Info: (956) 381-3581

Musical combines students’ abilities with use ofdances, songs to show college-life in 1928

By AARON LOZANOThe Pan American

Left to right, Mark Guerra (Coach Johnson) and Angel Leal (Pooch)practice a scene for the Theater Department’s musical ‘Good News.’

Daniel Aguilar/The Pan American

Aaron LozanoThe Pan American

(Above) - Holly Smith,a member of the cho-rus, gets her hair doneprior to a dressrehearsal for ‘GoodNews.’

(Left) - Left to right,Johnny Gonzalez (TomMarlow) and BobbySoto (Bobby Randall)rehearse for ‘GoodNews.’

Aaron LozanoThe Pan American

Jasmine Rico (Connie Lane), left, and JohnnyGonzalez (Tom Marlow) star in the musical‘Good News.’ The play runs tonight throughMarch 1 at 8 p.m. and March 2 at 2 p.m. in theAlbert Jeffers Theater.

February 27, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 9February 27, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 8

What’s college withoutfootball? For many Broncs, it’sjust the same, but for the mostrecent University of Texas-PanAmerican musical production,“Good News,” college involvesnothing but pigskin and theromance behind it.

“It’s all about love andfootball,” said Michael Moore,stage manager for “Good News,”which runs through March 2.

The musical, set in the 1920s,comes together through a castwhich dances, sings and acts incharacter complete with periodcostumes, hats and wigs.

“It takes place in 1928 and wedo a little Charleston dancing, ithas great moments and thecostuming is amazing,” saidchorus member Daniel Vela.

Kate Ellis, costume designer, isvery pleased to see the cast enjoytheir wardrobe and is excited tosee the costumes turn out so well.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing this showcome together,” Ellis said. “Thecast seems to really enjoy theclothes and work with them.”

The cast includes a total of 33members. According to Ellis, it’srare for a group of that size toperform in the media theatre.

The cast includes four UTPAcheerleaders who are new to theUTPA stage. For authenticity,director Pat McEnnis wanted realcheerleaders to play the role ofthe ‘Good News’ college cheeringsquad.

“It has been a differentexperience from what I expected,”said UTPA and ‘Good News’cheerleader Dustin Johnson, whohas never been on stage before,“It was a good idea because itprovided an equal opportunity forother UTPA programs toparticipate in theatre.”

McEnnis, who appeared in theoriginal Broadway production of“Bye, Bye, Birdie” and alsoappeared in “How To Succeed inBusiness Without Really Trying,”

has a lot to bring to this showbecause of her previousexperience in working withmusicals.

“She’s very demanding of us, Iused to work with her in costumerun for our last show ‘Lost InYonkers,’” cast member MarkGuerra said.

A demanding person who goesby her instincts, McEnnis has,according to cast members, afavorite line: “This could changetomorrow.”

“The crew must be veryflexible with Pat, every day shemay change her mind,” Mooresaid.

Fabian Cuellar, a newcomer tostage musicals, plays Sylvesterand is happy with the way Ellishas run the show.

“I got a hug from her yesterday,she’s very nurturing. This is myfirst musical, I like that you workin groups like the chorus, it’s awonderful group effort andeveryone works well together,”Cuellar said, “She did a great jobcasting.”

A strong director, great cast,music and amazing costumes havesparked many enthusiastic theatrelovers already.

“The phone has not stopped

ringing, we get phone calls everyday from people needing moreinformation,” box office managerMonica Quintanilla said.

According to Quintanilla,musicals always draw a largercrowd. This may be due to thefeeling audience members getwhen watching a live musical.

“On average, musicals bring inlarger numbers because it givesaudiences a Broadway feeling,”Moore said.

Tuesday night, “Good News”held an open dress rehearsal freeto the public.

“The crowd estimated to be anaudience of one hundred,”Quintanilla said.

“It’s a good hearted musicalthat has the energy and theessence of the ‘20s all wrapped upin a show filled with love,football and comedy,” AngelGarcia (Beef) said.

A show like this can be a realeye-opener to the way things werewith college life in the 1920s.

Mark Guerra (Coach Johnson)encourages everybody to comesee the show, “Its just going to bea lot of fun to watch. It’s going tobe cool to see a show aboutfootball that was written about 75years ago.”

‘Good News’When: Through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m.

Where: Albert Jeffers Theatre

Price: $10 for reserved seating; $5 generaladmission; UTPA students/faculty/staff free with validID.

Info: (956) 381-3581

Musical combines students’ abilities with use ofdances, songs to show college-life in 1928

By AARON LOZANOThe Pan American

Left to right, Mark Guerra (Coach Johnson) and Angel Leal (Pooch)practice a scene for the Theater Department’s musical ‘Good News.’

Daniel Aguilar/The Pan American

Aaron LozanoThe Pan American

(Above) - Holly Smith,a member of the cho-rus, gets her hair doneprior to a dressrehearsal for ‘GoodNews.’

(Left) - Left to right,Johnny Gonzalez (TomMarlow) and BobbySoto (Bobby Randall)rehearse for ‘GoodNews.’

Aaron LozanoThe Pan American

Jasmine Rico (Connie Lane), left, and JohnnyGonzalez (Tom Marlow) star in the musical‘Good News.’ The play runs tonight throughMarch 1 at 8 p.m. and March 2 at 2 p.m. in theAlbert Jeffers Theater.

■ Theater production 8-9

■ Culture Club . . . . . . 10

■ Movie reviews . . . . . 11ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 7

AroundTown

‘Frida’Feb. 28 at 3 and 7 p.m.Place: Student UnionTheaterEvent: The highlyacclaimed film ‘Frida,’detailing the life of Mexicanartist Frida Khalo, will beshown. Because the film israted ‘R,’ restrictedadmission will be enforced.

Mariachi/FolklorioConcertMarch 1 at 2 and 7 p.m.,March 2 at 2 p.m.Place: La Joya PerformingArts Center (the redbuilding) 604 Coyote Drivein La Joya.Event: The La JoyaPerforming Arts Center’s2003 Mariachi/FolkloricoSpring Concert will featureMariachi Los Coyotes andGrupo Folklorico Tabasco.Phone: (956) 580-5161

Starr County Youth FairMarch 7 through 9Place: Starr CountyFairgrounds, U.S. Highway83, Rio Grande City.Event: The fair will featurelivestock, arts & crafts,baked goods, and youthcompetitions. Chick, rabbit,pig and calf scrambles willbe held March 7 and March8. The fair will also featurea parade on March 8 at 10a.m. Crossfire will performMarch 8 and Jaime y LosChamacos will play onMarch 9, both from 8 to 12p.m.Phone: (956) 383-4974

Guest speakerMarch 10 at 2 p.m.Place: Weslaco BiculturalMuseum, 515 S. Kansas inWeslacoEvent: Weslaco native,artist and Director of theDonna Hooks FletcherMuseum Laura Lincoln willspeak about the BenitezTheater family and peoplewho have contributed tothe Mid-Valley’s Hispanicheritage.Phone: (956) 968-9142

The University of Texas-PanAmerican Dance Ensemble ishaving its annual spring concertsfrom Feb. 27 to March 1. Theconcerts will be held in the FineArts Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. eachnight.

The dancers and teacherscooperating in the event have beenpracticing since the fall semester tobe able to prepare accordingly forthe upcoming concert as stated byMelinda Blomquist, dance professorand coordinator for the company.

"Most of the works on the showare new works for the company,"Blomquist said. "They have beenworking hard to learn thechoreography [to] prepare for the

concert."The program is filled with a

diverse choreography, andaccording to junior dance majorVanessa Lopez, the concert willhave a lot more action this year thanit did last year. She added thatworking with several people,including Nina Martin, thecompany's guest artist for thisconcert, has been a valuableexperience.

"There is a lot more action thisyear than the past semester withmore movement, energy, andactivity throughout [all of the]pieces," Lopez stated. "It is great tohave an opportunity to work withdifferent people [because] it makesyou a better dancer."

As Blomquist pointed out, moderndance is an art form where

everybody can take and interpretsomething different from the dances

presented. There are avariety of works in theshow and there issomething that can appealto everyone. This concert isalso a great opportunity forthe viewers to learn moreabout dance and discover anew perspective of dancethey might not haveencountered before.

Assistant professor ofdance Dana Shackelford ispart of the program afterchoreographing one piececalled "Feel the Echo." Init, she said her goal is forthe dancers to movethrough space with such anenergy that it invites theaudience to come along forthe ride.

She said the dancers areready to perform Thursdayand she has enjoyedworking with them.

"I am very happy to seetheir growth as dancers, aswell as their ability to worktogether on a piece thatrequires so muchcooperation as anensemble," Shackelfordsaid.

Some of the studentswho are part of the danceensemble stated that theyare going to do wellbecause they have put longhours into the program.Marta Anaya, a senior pre-med major, said that theyhave been practicing sincethe summer. SophomoreDavid Ibarra also said thatthey have practiced all yearto get the pieces together,preparing them even morefor this upcoming concert.

Dancer Leticia Martinezalso feels that after all the

By ARIANNA VASQUEZThe Pan American

Marla Anayapractices for thespring concert.

Dance is in the Air

David Ibarra and Vanessa Lopez of the UTPA Dance Ensemble practice for the upcomingconcerts. The Ensemble will perform Feb. 27 through March 1 in the Fine Arts Auditorium.

practice, the performance is going tocome out well because overall it is agood dance team.

Martin, the guest artist for thisconcert, said the students have beenreally great in cooperating with herand her piece titled "EndlessEfforts," which is set in the contextof work being sacred. It is acontemporary piece that willenhance the dancers’ talents byproviding a mixture of text, dance,and singing throughout the piece.

As Martin pointed out, the piecegave the students a lot of room toexpress themselves and try out newskills.

"My piece has been done in a lotof different universities, but in PanAm it has taken a Hispanic twist,"Martin said. "They had to writesome of the text and I thought it wasinteresting because they reallychanged the piece."

UTPA faculty members likeShackelford feel very lucky to haveMartin as part of the concert becauseshe is an established postmoderndance artist who has shared hertalents with the dance company.

All of the dancers and facultyinvolved in the company hope toshow what that have worked hard onthe performance.

"They are a great group ofdancers to work with," Blomquistcommented. "I have felt privilegedto work with them this year."

Special to The Pan American

Special toThe Pan American

They are agreat group

of dancers towork with. “

“

- Melinda Blomquist,dance professor

February 27, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 10

Movie: “The Count of Monte Cristo”Book: “The Stranger” by Albert CamusWebsite: yahoo.com

Book: Books on forensic scienceMovie: “Lord of the Rings”Website: hotmail.com

CD: “Alejandro Sanz - MTV Unplugged”Book: “Romeo and Juliet” by ShakespeareMovie: “Center Stage”

Monica VazquesFreshmanComputer Science

Diana RodriguezJuniorComputer Science

Sergio VillarrealJuniorGraphic Design

CULTURE CLUBWhat students like to read, listen to and surf.

The

When the young couple,Bobby Soto and Didi Duron,auditioned for the musical“Good News,” they had noidea they would be cast toplay something very familiarto their everyday lives.

Soto and Duron managed toland themselves playing acouple on stage after havingseen each other off stage forthe past two months.

“It’s just a matter of chancethat we got to play a coupleon stage, we didn’t plan it,”Duron said.

Duron will be playing thepart of Babe O’Day oppositeSoto, who will be playingBobby Randall, Babe’s malecounterpart.

Participating in the show asa couple means that thecouple spends so much timetogether at rehearsal that it israre they have time tothemselves.

“Our whole life is anemergency, we’re alwaysbusy… Its rare that weactually get to do stuff, itsreally rare when we canactually find time to go watcha movie together,” Soto said.

Didi continued to finish hissentence, “We really don’t doanything because we’re tiredand stuff. We don’t only havethe show to deal with, but wealso have classes and work.”

When the couple does havetime to be with each other, itsusually just spent relaxing athome. “We just hang out andbe with each other, that’s

enough for me,” Soto said. The two students not only

do the show together, but alsoattend the same classes atschool. In fact, that is howthey met.

“Well, we met in acting I,and now, we’re taking actingII, theatre appreciation, andchildren’s theatre together,”Duron said.

Though the workload maybe heavy for the two thespiansin love, they claim thatworking together as actors onstage is a little bit easier thanworking with completestrangers.

“The acting load is a lotlighter. Its more comfortable,I’m real comfortable workingwith Didi. The chemistry isthere,” Soto said, “and whenwe work with our ownchemistry instead ofdeveloping it fromsomewhere else, it’s a loteasier.”

Before their relationshipexisted, they were in a pastUTPA show together called“Time Flies.”

“We were in the samescene…” Soto said.

“We were friends then, itwasn’t till the end of thatsemester that we gottogether,” Duron finished.

Doing shows together isgreat for the couple since itprovides them with sufficienttime to spend with each other,even if they are justrehearsing kissing scenes.

“It’s a lot of fun to do ashow with her, because I thinkit would be a little sad tospend all that time rehearsingwithout her,” Soto said.

During warm-up, thecouple was teased from othercast members about theirmatching shirts and openaffection.

“We just bought theseyesterday and it’s just bychance The Pan Americandecided to interview uswearing matching shirts,”Duron said.

The teasing from the castmembers is usually takenlightheartedly, “They alwayssee us hugging and that’swhen they’ll go and bring outthe water hose,” Soto joked.

“No, they always look at ushugging and say ‘aw,’” Duronfinished.

Cast member FabianCuellar thinks it’s warm to seethe couple’s open affection,“Its kind of cute to see them,they’re real affectionate andits refreshing to see their goodrelationship reflect on stage.”

Romantic leadsReal-life couple takes relationship to center stage

By AARON LOZANOThe Pan American

Didi Duron (Babe O’Day) and Bobby Soto (Bobby Randall) act a scene from the Theater Department’slatest performance ‘Good News.’ Duron and Soto have taken their real-life romance to the stage.

Aaron Lozano/The Pan American

It’s just amatter of

chance thatwe got to

play a coupleon stage, wedidn’t plan it. “

“

- Didi Duron, actor

February 27, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 6

Panel DiscussionThe Call to Serve FederalPanel Discussion willtake place Monday,March 3, 2003 in theUniversity Ballroom fromnoon to 1pm. The dis-cussion will includeinformation pertaining tothe retirement of federalcivilian employees. Participating agenciesare: Alcohol, Tobacco,and Fire Arms (ATF),Center for DiseaseControl (CDC), CentralIntelligence Agency(CIA), Internal RevenueService (IRS), the NavyRecruiting District- SanAntonio, Office OfPersonal Management(OPM), U.S. Departmentof Agriculture (USDA),U.S. Marshal Service,and the U.S. PeaceCorps. Refreshments will beprovided. The event issponsored by CareerPlacement Services. Formore information, call381-2243 or go by SSBRoom 147.

30th Annual Career DayWill be held Tuesday,March 4, at the UTPAField house from 9 am to3pm. There will beinternship and permanentplacement opportunities.Go by office to sign upfor campus interviews.Dress professional andbring plenty of resumes.All majors are welcome.For more information onparticipating employerscontact or visit CareerPlacement Services SSBroom 147.

How to Land A FederalJob Workshop Will be held Thursday,February 27 from noon to1 pm at the StudentServices Building in

room 153. The workshopis presented by CareerPlacement Services. Call381-2243.

Annual Culture NightThe International StudentsAssociation will be host-ing the annualInternational CultureNight on Friday, March7th. The night willinclude singing, dancingand cultural entertainmentby Soly Luna Dance Club from6 pm to 8 pm at the UTPAFine Arts Auditorium. Over A dozen differentcountries will be repre-sented and delicaciesfrom several nations willbe shared starting at 6pm. Tickets are $4 inadvance and $5 at thedoor. Call 316-2453 or 387- 0906 for more infor-mation.

NSF DayUTPA will be holdingNSF day on Monday,March 3. For completedetails visit the OSRCalendar of Events webpage atwww.panam.edu/dept./sponsor/whatsnew/whats_new.html.

Peace RallyAsian AmericanAssociation will be hold-ing a Peace Rally againstthe potential war withIraq on Tuesday, March 4th atnoon. It will be held infront of the Media Centersouth of the library. Therewill be guest speakers onthe topic. Chinese andIndian food will be sold atthe event. The AmericanSign Language club willalso participate. If youwould like to help, pleasee-mail asian_ameri-can2001@hotmail.com.

Febru

ary

Need funds for Fall 2003 semester? Don’tdespair.

The University of Texas Pan American willhold its 11th Annual Financial Aid Fair onThursday, March 6 to assist students in applyingfor financial aid. The event, this year titled,“Celebrating 75 Years of Excellence” will takeplace in the Student Union Lobby.

The first session will be held from 9 a.m. to 2p.m. during which the UTPA Financial AidServices staff will be dressed in outfitsrepresenting the different decades of the school’shistory between the 1920s and 1990s.

“We want to keep it fresh and exciting,” saidWilliam Morley, UTPA workstudy coordinator.“We all know that filling out forms is not themost exciting thing in the world so we want totry and make it at least semi-entertaining forstudents.”

To add to the fun there will also be food,games, and door prizes. The staff will assistcurrent students as well as prospective studentsin filling out their Free Application for FederalStudent Aid (FAFSA) form that will cover theFall 2003, Spring 2004, and Summer 2004semesters.

“The U.S. government Department ofEducation has made the FAFSA pretty simple tofill out,” Morley said. “It has a stigma of beingcomplicated, but in reality it is very, very easy.Of course if you are filling it out for the firsttime it may seem difficult and that is where wecome into place.”

To fill out the FAFSA students need to bringtheir 2002 tax return and if they file asdependent then they need to bring their parents’2002 tax return as well. If students have not filed

their taxes yet their will be Vita volunteers onsite to help them fill out the 1040A and 1040EZtax forms. Vita is a Texas based organizationthat trains community volunteers to help peoplefill out their tax forms free of charge.

“The fair will give students a chance to geteverything done in one shot and have fun whilethey are doing it,” Morley said.

There will also be an evening session from 5p.m. to 7 p.m. for those students who cannotmake it during the day. However, the extraactivities will not take place during this session.

“The evening session is designed more fornight students who cannot attend during the daybecause they are working,” Morley said. “Wewill only have the most important parts,financial aid and tax return preparation.”

The process to fill out the FAFSA takes about10 to 15 minutes depending on the students’information and on the number of studentspresent. The fairs in the past have had a turnoutof 900-1,200 students. Several Valley highschool students will also be attending.

“We will give each student the time andattention they need,” Morley said. “Somestudents have straightforward information andare easy to do, but others have a complicatedfinancial situation and they may take longer.”

For those students who are unable to attendthe fair, the Financial Aid Services Office holdssessions in its Express Lab, located in the oldcomputer center next to the Student Union inroom 113. Staff is available to assist studentswith their FAFSA form during these sessions.

For dates and times students can go to theFinancial Aid Office room 186 located in theStudent Services Building or log on towww.panam.edu/finaid. For more informationabout the fair contact the Financial Aid Office at381-250.

Aid fair approachingBy AMELIA GARCIAThe Pan American

Embarking on its second semester on campus,the University of Texas-Pan AmericanEnvironmental Awareness Club plans to build itsmembership.

The EAC became an active organization inFall 2002. Kelly Hobbs, a

senior majoring in political science, chose tostart the EAC as part of a class assignment.

“I wanted to start an organization,” she said. “Idid this for a lab project.”

Kathryn Dodd, adviser and biologydepartment lecturer, requires students in herEnvironmental Biology course to create anenvironmentally based project.

Once the paperwork went through, Hobbs setgoals and began the hunt for officers andmembers. The group now has about 30 members,but it plans to continue recruitment.

“We hope to continually increase membership.I’d like to see the EAC build a strongmembership base,” she said. “This is a studentclub and the students will mold its future.”

The organization plans to focus on educationthrough its members. As the club helps thecommunity become aware environmentally, andprovides methods to solve these problems.

“The purpose of the EAC is to createawareness within the student body and thecommunity about environmental problems andpotential solutions,” Dodd said.

Hobbs, EAC president, said the group’s short-term goals for this year are to recruit membersand increase funds. However, lack of numbers inmanpower and finances have not put the club’sactivities on hold.

“They all have ways to contribute,” Dodd said.“Even though they don’t come to all themeetings, they still participate.”

Within one semester, the Environmental

Awareness Club accomplished the following: • The organization adopted a park in the

community, and periodically organizes cleanupefforts to maintain the park.

• Members participated in fundraisingactivities such as Night of Lights.

• Officers set up booths in membership driveslike the Recruitment Fair at UTPA.

• The club works closely with the City ofEdinburg Recycling Center to raise awareness ofthe importance of recycling.

When the club achieves a particular goal,members decide what issues to focus on next.Hobbs explains that when a person wants totarget an issue, she gathers information andresources on that topic.

“Any idea that anybody has, I will pursue it,”Hobbs said. “As long as it doesn’t go againstany university policies.”

For future projects, the group plans to developties with other UTPA organizations.

“We want to cooperate with the engineeringdepartment,” said Noel Escobar, vice presidentof the EAC. “Where they actually build a house,a bio-dome, that’s more environmentally friendlyand consumes less electricity.”

Building a bio-dome, distributing water-savingshower heads, and even educating businessmajors about the environment, are examples oftopics the club discusses at its meetings.Environmental experts are invited to speak at themeetings once a month.

These meetings are held every other Tuesday.The EAC met Wednesday in room 307A of theUniversity Center, to focus on current andpotential Earth Day activities. National Earth Dayoccurs annually on April 22.

“We’re excited that the EAC has met withsuch enthusiasm on campus,” Dodd said. “Welook forward to continued growth, and mostimportantly, achieving our goals of contributingto environmental education.”

Enviro Club germinatingBy OMAIRA GALARZAThe Pan American

Campus CalendarFebruary 27, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 11

Oscar season is upon us onceagain and the Valley has recentlyreceived a spate of high-profile,buzz-worthy releases.

Most of these won’t stay forlong, just until the awards aregiven, and some have already gone.Bearing this in mind, I made sureto catch Best Picture nominees“The Pianist” and “The Hours” assoon as they hit local theaters.

“The Pianist,” a Holocaustsurvival tale, has been hailed as areturn to form for legendaryfilmmaker Roman Polanski(“Rosemary’s Baby,”

“Chinatown”). While his latesteffort is admittedly superior torecent missteps “The Ninth Gate”and “Bitter Moon,” I wasdisappointed to find that this film issomewhat overrated.

It tells the story of world-renowned pianist WladyslawSzpilman, played quite beautifullyby the accomplished, oft-overlooked Adrien Brody (“King ofthe Hill,” “Summer of Sam”).Szpilman’s family is soon capturedand herded with other Polish Jewsby the Nazi army officers. ButSzpilman’s status eventually leadsto an opportunity for escape, whichhe finally, and quite reluctantly,takes.

What follows is a touching, yetrather familiar saga of one man’striumph over incredible odds. Thefilm avoids the flashiness of mostWWII-era pictures, and its starkrealism is what gives it suchamazing power.

Sadly, however, this is a storywhich has been told before, in oneform or another, and whilePolanski admits that it is his mostpersonal work, it’s difficult for anaudience to fully connect to acharacter undergoing the exactsame struggle found in so manyother movies.

This is not the film’s fault by anymeans, and perhaps a viewer naiveof the horrors of the Holocaust willse this and be incredibly moved.

But the enormous buzz surrounded“The Pianist” was a bit misleading,bringing to mind rapper Chuck D’sclassic anthem “Don’t Believe theHype.”

Yet another overrated nomineethis year for Best Picture is “TheHours.”

Based on Michael Cunningham’saward-winning novel, this uniquedrama revolves around late authorVirginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman),her novel “Mrs. Dalloway,” and thelives of two other women (JulianneMoore, Meryl Streep) who seem toshare a common thread with thefamous writer and her literaryheroine. These three stories takeplace at three different times in the20th century, and director StephenDaldry masterfully cuts back andforth with astonishing fluidity,keeping the viewer not only awareof what’s happening, butthoroughly involved.

The ensemble cast in this film isunbelievable. There isn’t a singlefalse note in any of theperformances, and Kidman is arevelation, not only transformingher physical features for the role,but perceptions of her as an actressas well

If in some minds she has not yetceased being Mrs. Tom Cruise, thisrole is sure to make a name forherself as an artist.

No less amazing is Streep,making this her second stunning

portrayal this year, playing writerSusan Orlean in Spike Jonze’sbrilliant, bizarre “Adaptation.”

The middle storyline, set in the1950s, focuses on an unravelinghousewife, played with typicalexcellence by Moore. This rolegives Moore one of her two Oscarnods this year for Best SupportingActress, the other being for BestActress in “Far From Heaven.”

But the real star of the film isreally Philip Glass’ hauntinglybeautiful score, nominated for BestMusical Score, which ties each ofthe narrative strands together.

In the initial strand, we findWoolf writing a letter to herdevoted husband and committingsuicide shortly after. The film thenbacktracks to a time when she wasverging on madness, but stillcapable of starting a novel (“Mrs.Dalloway”). Her husband suffersher slings and arrows as shewrestles her inner demons onto thepages in front of her. One needn’thave read her novel to gain anunderstanding of its themes, andeven if you don’t grasp them rightaway, Daldry’s film will hammerthem into one’s brain in 114minutes.

The second strand finds Moore’semotionally crippled characterstruggling to remain aloft for herwide-eyed son, while desperatelyattempting to make a cake for herhusband’s birthday.

And in the modern-day strand,Streep is a complex, aging NewYork book editor working herselfragged in an effort to put on aparty. The shindig is set to honorrenowned poet Richard Brown (EdHarris) who, incidentally, keepshimself locked up in a dingyapartment where he is slowly butsurely succumbing to the AIDSvirus.

“The Hours” doesn’t make formuch of a date movie, and few willwalk out of the theater smiling. Butfor those that don’t mind adepressing, yet challenging andthought-provoking film loaded withdynamic performances, one coulddo worse than watching “TheHours.” Roberto Benigni’s“Pinocchio,” anyone?

By KEIL SHULTSThe Pan American

Buzzworthy films, Oscar nods

February 27, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 5February 27, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 12

Diversity is everywhere, and it issomething universities throughout the nationstrive for. At some schools, the concept refersto American ethnic minorities, and at others,international students are part of that mix.

In the 2002 fall semester there were 430international students registered at theUniversity of Texas-Pan American and anestimated 583,000 international studentsenrolled in the United States. Along with therising number of international studentsattending universities, the post-Sept. 11security level has increased as well. Severalof the 9-11 terrorists entered the countryeither through student visas or other laximmigration programs.

The Immigration and NaturalizationService (INS), which will cease to exist onMarch 1 will be folded into one departmentof the Dept. of Homeland Security, hasrecently implemented a new program touniversities nationwide. The Student andExchange Visitor Information System (knownas SEVIS) is a new INS student monitoringand tracking systemdevised to make aquicker process ofobtaining studentinformation by using anational computerdatabase instead ofmaintainingindividuals’ files oncampus.

The InternationalStudent AdvisementOffice (ISAO) atUTPA, along with anyschool in the U.S. withinternational studentsenrollment, wasrequired to submit a re-certification application for havinginternational students to INS. Along with there-certification process there was an INSonsite visit at UTPA in December, which ledto the campus’ approval on Jan 29.Universities that were not approved will nolonger be able to enroll international studentson their campuses.

The ISAO is now required to immediatelyreport student information to the INS viaInternet. Information on the students includevisas status, enrollment hours, a change ofaddress, employment, and graduation date.The information also includes the terminationdate of studies and reason, updated financialinformation and a list of other issues thatmight change depending on futureregulations.

The ISAO website explained that there arenew international documents are being issuedto all of our current students that contain abarcode. At every U.S. port of entry orcheckpoint, officials will be able to scan astudent’s barcode and immediately accesstheir SEVIS records. If there is a violationagainst INS regulations, and the UTPA officehas reported violations through SEVIS,students may suffer detainment, fines,deportations or forbiddance of entering theUS.

Though the new security is created torestrict violations against INS regulations, arecent article in The Monitor mentioned that amember of the Layers Committee for HumanRights feels that SEVIS is “just another

instance of the government collecting massiveinformation trying to get leads for terrorismsuspects by really casting a broader net thanis effective.”

Philip Clay, UTPA Adviser for ForeignStudents, considers the issue to be positive tothose who wish to obtain an education inAmerica.

“Upon arrival at the U.S. Port of Entry, allinternational students sign documents givingpermission to immigration authorities toaccess that information during their stay inthe U.S.,” Clay said. “As an internationalstudent present in the U.S., they must abideby the regulations that govern their stay. Thissystem will inform immigration of violatorsand enable immigration to detain, deport, orcancel visas of violators.”

According to Clay, all internationalstudents will be in the SEVIS system.Currently there are 440 F-1 students (non-immigrant visa for international students toenter the US pursuing academic studies) andapproximately 30 Exchange Students/Visitorsper year who attend UTPA.

Clay noted that SEVIS is a program thathas been in development by the INS since

1995, and is anecessity for alluniversities.

“It will strengthenthe security of ourborders, monitor thosewho are in the U.S. onstudent visas, andbring the terminationof habitual violators ofU.S. immigrationregulations by studentswho do not seriouslytake the privilege thatthey have been grantedto study in the U.S.”he said. “Internationalstudents are permitted

to study in the U.S. but along with thatprivilege is the responsibility to abide byimmigration regulations.”

Clay said SEVIS is one of the programsthat will be part of immigration indefinitelyand that the immigration process will onlybecome stricter and more efficient in thefuture.

“The days of free and open access to thosewho would willfully and knowingly violatevisa regulations without consequences areover,” he said. “Should another terroristattack occur in the U.S. I can foresee apossible temporary moratorium oninternational students being issued visas andan even longer and stricter backgroundchecks on the issuance of visas.”

Janie Giambri, assistant foreign studentadviser, said that most students understandthe new program and have been considerateof the extra work the employees have to do.

“I think that at this point people understandthe actions that are taken towardimmigration,” Giambri said. “Immigrationhas come under fire since Sept. 11 and SEVISshows that.”

Freshman electrical engineering majorLaura Espinoza is an international student andsays she understands why there is anenforcement with student VISAs.

“It’s not that difficult to go through thepaperwork, but it is just another task that wehave to do.” she said. “It’s necessary for thesecurity of the U.S. and to keep everyonehere safe.”

Stringent rules forforeign studentsBy CLARISSA MARTINEZThe Pan American

It is said that the secret of discipline ismotivation. Today, residents of SouthTexas will be able to catch a glimpse ofthat secret by attending the TopPerformance Live seminar with featheredguest Zig Ziglar, hosted by the McAllenChamber of Commerce at the BaptistTemple in McAllen.

The all-day seminar will includesessions such The Critical Skills TopPerformers Must Master, WhatMotivation Will Do...And What It Won'tDo, Become Your Company's MostValuable Asset, The American Dream IsAlive And Well, and others.

Zig Ziglar is a motivational speakerand author who has been able to breakdown barriers between age, culture andoccupation in his seminars. Since 1970,he has traveled over five million milesacross the world delivering lifeimprovement messages and cultivatingthe energy of change.

According to the web siteziglartraining.com, Ziglar has been partof workshops with Presidents Ford,Reagan and Bush, current Secretary ofState Colin Powell and a number of U.S.congressmen and governors.

He has also shared the platform withGen Norman Schwarzkopf, who visitedUTPA last year as part of the OutstandingLeadership Series.

Ziglar has been recognized three timesin the Congressional Record of theUnited States for his work with youth inthe drug war, and for his dedication toAmerica and the free enterprise system.

Ryan Leggett is a representative ofZiglar Training Sessions and says that thecorporation is built upon the samephilosophy Ziglar emphasizes to hisaudiences. When someone believes inhard work, common sense, fairness,commitment and integrity anything ispossible.

Headquartered in Dallas, ZiglarTraining Systems offers public seminars,customized educational programs,workshops and keynote speakers thatfocus on personal and professionaldevelopment. Client lists includesthousands of small and mid-sizebusinesses, Fortune 500 Companies, U.S.Government agencies, churches, schools,and nonprofit associations.

Leggett said that even though thecompany has targeted places such as NewYork,

Philadelphia and Chicago, coming toMcAllen and areas such as the RioGrande Valley is now on the agenda as

well.“Smaller cities don’t really have many

opportunities to have motivationalspeakers such as Ziglar come down,”Leggett said. “Zig can teach people howto be motivated and realize how tobalance life with accomplishments.”

In addition to Ziglar, additionalfeatured speakers will be Bryan Flanagenwhose clients include Fortune 500companies, and Krish Dhanam, directorof international operations for ZiglarTraining Systems.

“Zig Ziglar’s seminars are hands-ontraining for those who seek skills thatwill help them in their career,” Leggettsaid. “There are some people who thinkthey are great accountants, great lawyersor great doctors. With this training theycan realize that to be a better worker, youhave to first work on becoming a betterperson.”

Ziglar has also written 22 books andnine titles have been on bestseller lists.His books focus on personal growth,leadership, sales, faith, family andsuccess. His books and tapes have beentranslated into over 38 languages anddialects. The 25th Anniversary RevisedEdition of See You at the Top and StayingUp, Up, Up in a Down, Down Worldwere released in 2000. His autobiography,ZIG, was published in July 2002.

“I would encourage anyone to go seeZig speak,” Leggett said. “He is such adynamic speaker that if you aren’tmotivated in the first 10 minutes you arethere, you better be checked into ahospital, because something’s wrong withyou.”

Ziglar comes to townBy CLARISSA MARTINEZThe Pan American

anywhere if the welcome is extended.“I always enjoy doing this and I go

everywhere that I’m invited,” de la Garzasaid. “Dr. Polinard was kind enough toinvite me.”

De la Garza has been interested inspeaking in front of students for sometime.

“I always thought that I would like to,some day when I came back, teach at auniversity or college,” he said. “This isone of the opportunities that I have tocome and visit with students.”

Tuesday’s visit with UTPA studentsgave him an opportunity to share hisexperience, knowledge and advice with a

younger generation.De la Garza said the best advice he has

for students is to know the value of theireducation. He continued his education atEdinburg Junior College and the U.S.Army Artillery School at Fort Sill,Oklahoma. He served in the Koreanconflict as a second lieutenant with theArmy’s 37th Division Artillery and in1952, de la Garza returned to Texas toearn a law degree at St. Mary’s Universityin San Antonio.

“Education is the basis for better living,better economics…for better everything,”de la Garza said. “Having an education isa very important part of life.”

SPEAKER continued from page 1

The days of freeand open access tothose who wouldwillfully andknowingly violate visaregulations withoutconsequences areover.

““

- Philip Clay,UTPA Adviser to Foreign Students

ZIG ZIGLAR

When nationally syndicated columnist MollyIvins visited The University of Texas PanAmerican last weekend, she encouragedstudents to get politically involved by voting andbecoming aware of current issues and events.

She feels that if the majority of the people getout and vote, then they will have more politicalpower than they would’ve had.

“In this country we can’t get people interestedto vote,” said Ivins, who has long been noted forher biting and humorous political satire of Texaspoliticians such as George W. Bush and currentTexas governor Rick Perry. “Politics are thewarmth of our lives. It’s going to affecteverything in your life as long as you live.”

Ivins said it is important for students to bepolitically involved because politicians don’ttake young people seriously since most of themdon’t vote. She said students must remain activein politics and current affairs before they get outof hand.

A recent USA Today survey shows the levelof student participation in college campuses is atits lowest level in two generations. According toSamuel Freeman, professor of political scienceat UTPA, student involvement rates are lowbecause some students don’t have the time toparticipate in any events. Freeman said becauseof the poverty levels in the Valley, most studentsare forced to work while in school.

“Between school, work and family, howmuch time do they have left?” Freeman asked.“They have less free time.”

Freeman said student involvement in politicalissues at UTPA has increased and decreasedthroughout time. In some years, participation ishigh, at others it is lower.

Freeman added that students can get involvedby demonstrating or protesting on controversialissues. By doing this, he said students opinionswill be heard and changes in the laws will bemade.

“We have to take it to the streets,” saidFreeman. “It doesn’t mean riots or huge kinds of

protests. We have to do it in a correct manner sowe can make our voices heard.”

At South Texas Community College, there isa student organization that demonstrates peace.According to Freeman, members of Students forPeace have been debating more toward thepossibility of war with Iraq than students fromUTPA.

“I am amazed at STCC, a junior college whohas a peace organization while UTPA hasnothing,” Freeman said. “They have done muchmore such debating the war than students fromhere have.”

Professors at the university are encouragingstudents to get politically involved in multipleways. Freeman noted that professors are willingto advise students to demonstrate in currentevents.

“It’s not our job to lead and direct students,”Freeman said. “We are not directors, we areadvisors, but we will continue to do that for thestudents.”

Although student involvement is at its low atthe university, Freeman said compared to thepolitical movement of 1964, there are muchlarger organizations now who are protestingagainst the war. Also adding, participation incollege campuses across the country varies.

“In other campuses there is a great deal goingon,” Freeman said. “It is disappointing that notmany are involved, but we’re certainly not asbehind like in 1964.”

After 1964, Vietnam heated up and graduallyso did student protests of that conflict inSoutheast Asia. The American anti-warmovement reached a fever pitch in 1967 whenhundreds of thousands of citizens marched onthe Pentagon in Washington D.C.

On campus, Nick Braune, a TSTCphilosophy lecturer was set to participate in adebate about the possible war in Iraq today atnoon in SBS, room 101. Next Tuesday therewill be an anti-war protest on campus near thelibrary, and Freeman is scheduled to addressthose issues on March 6. So perhaps the spirit toget involved that Ivins and Freeman encouragedis starting to catch on.

February 27, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 4

Ana Cristina TobiasManagementFreshman

No, because I feel safe most of the timesince nothing serious has happened herein the Valley.

Carla PenaBusiness AdministrationSophomore

Yes because everybody needs tofeel secure especially when there’salcohol involved.

Bianca HammondBroadcast JournalismFreshman

Yes, I don’t think that the secruity atnight clubs really protect. They aremore concerned about their image.

Are you concerned aboutsafety in Valley night clubs?

Ananda MorlockTheater/T.V.-FilmFreshman

Not really. I think what happened inChicago was just a big mistake and aslong as people are more careful then itwon’t happen.

VOICECCaammppuuss

Bobby PonceUndeclaredJunior

No because I don’t go to clubs so I don’tcare.

By JENNIFER TAPIAThe Pan American

Student action solicited

“We prepare the material and send the lessonplans to the schools,” said Quintanilla.

Along with the lesson plans teachers willreceive literature concerning diabetes. Upon thecompletion of the SEEP program each studentwill be given a registration card. Each child isrequired to take the card home and registerfriends and family members who have diabetes.The cards are then returned to the UT BorderHealth Office through the child’s school.

“It is very important for people to registerbecause it’s like a census,” said Quintanilla.“We need to know how many people havediabetes so that we can receive the properfunding to help them.”

The people who are registered through thisprogram will periodically receive educationalinformation about the disease, and will receivenewsletters that feature proper diet suggestionsand adequate exercise ideas. Those who areregistered through the UT Border Health Officecan estimate that they will be in the databasefor about five years and during that time theywill be receiving their educational information.

Addie Alvarez, senior public

relations/advertising major commented thathaving a project like SEEP is very important foryoung children. At the age of 22, due to acollapse suffered in class Alvarez found out thatshe had diabetes. Not knowing how to properlycope with the disease and the reactions thestrong medication caused her, Alvarez wasforced to leave the university.

“Studying for a diabetic is harder than for anormal person," said Alvarez. "Your attentionspan and memory retention are affected by yoursugar levels.”

After 20 years Alvarez is back in school.She mentioned that she feels it is veryimportant to teach kids about diabetes at anearly age so that they can start taking propercare of themselves.

“As Hispanics because our diets we are verysusceptible to the disease,” said Alvarez. “It isimportant to teach children because it will beengraved in their brain that they have to eathealthy in order to avoid getting diabetes.”

For more information concerning diabetes orthe SEEP project contact Eddie Quintanilla atthe UT Border Health Office at 381-2820.

• Type I: the pancreas makes little or noinsulin

• TypeII: the insulin made by yourpancreashas trouble carryingthe glucose to yourbody’s cells

• Common Symptoms:- Constant thirst -Constant hunger- Fatigue -Blurred vision- Weight loss -Frequent - Tingling in urination

hands or feet

DIABETES continued from page 1

Diabetes Facts Box

February 27, 2003 Sports Page 13

Broncs honored

Senior guard Kevin Mitchell of theUniversity of Texas-Pan Americanmen’s basketball team was one of fiveplayers recently named to the 2003Verizon All-District Six Men’sBasketball Team. The team was chosenby the College Sports InformationDirectors of America. Mitchell receivedthe honor by leading UTPA in scoringby averaging 14.2 points per game,accumulating a 74.8 free throw percent-age, and averaging 3.3 assists per game.Mitchell also holds a 3.571 grade pointaverage and will be graduating in Maywith a marketing degree.

Rangers open shop

The Texas Rangers will open up the2003 Spring Training Season on Feb. 27against the Kansas City Royals at 1:05p.m. in their new spring home ofSurprise, Ariz. Last season, the Rangersfinished dead last in the competitiveWest Division of the American Leaguewith a 72-90 record. The HoustonAstros will open up their SpringTraining schedule on Feb. 28 against theMontreal Expos at Viera, Fla. in a 1:05p.m. game. The Astros finished in sec-ond place in the Central Division of theNational League with a record of 84-78.

Local CHL squadmakes trip

The Hidalgo Killer Bees will beorganizing their second bus trip toLaredo on Friday Feb. 28 to watch theLaredo Bucks face off against El Paso ina CHL game. The buses will departfrom the McAllen Civic Center at 2p.m. and will cost $30 per fan. A ticketto the game, dinner and a viewing of themovie “Slap Shot” is included in thecost of the trip. The Killer Bees kick offtheir first season this fall.

Chivas down Tuzos

The Chivas of Guadalajara defeatedthe Tuzos of Pachuca, 3-1, on Sunday atJalisco Stadium to claim the top spot inthe Mexican Soccer League’s Clausura2003 tournament. Guadalajara accumu-lated 14 points to edge Monterrey, whoalso has 14 points, by goal differential.The Rayados tied with Atlas 2-2 onSaturday at the Tecnologico Stadium inMonterrey. In San Luis Potosi, the

Tigres of UNL lost to the host club 2-0.The Monterrey-based Tigres dropped tofifth place with the loss.

Rock pins Hogan

The Rock managed to defeat HulkHogan in the main event at No Way Out2003 last Sunday night. Stone ColdSteve Austin also marked his return toWWE (formerly WWF) by crushing hisformer WCW boss, Eric Bischoff. Inanother match, Triple H held on to hisWorld Heavyweight Championship titleby holding off Scott Steiner.

Tyson KOs Etienne

It took “Iron” Mike Tyson just 49 sec-onds to put away Clifford Etienne lastSaturday night at the Pyramid inMemphis and renew his hopes of arematch with heavyweight championLennox Lewis. One of the undercardbouts featured former Olympic skaterTonya Harding making her debut in thepro boxing circuit. Harding lost a splitdecision to Samantha Browning whoalso was making her pro debut.

On Saturday, March 1, WBA heavy-weight champion John Ruiz will rumblewith Roy Jones Jr. in a 12-round bout atthe Thomas & Mack Center in LasVegas. The championship fight will bebroadcast on HBO.

Jordan hits 40, twice

Michael Jordan celebrated his 40thbirthday by becoming the NBA’s first40-40 player during Washington’s 89-86win over New Jersey Friday night.Jordan scored 43 points in the victoryand became the first 40-year-old NBAplayer to score 40 points in a game.Jordan hit 18 of 30 shots and madeseven of eight free throws.

Tennis teams fall

Both the Broncs and Lady Broncsdropped matches Sunday. The UTPAmen’s team fell 5-2 to SoutheasternLouisiana in its Southland Conferenceseason opener, while Southwest TexasState steamrolled the Lady Broncs 7-0.Against SWT, the Broncs earned pointsat number three and number five sin-gles.

Matt Gower beat Matt Tate 2-6, 7-6,7-5 at the third spot, while Oliver Steilbeat Paul Birkett at the fifth position 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

SSPPOORRTTSS CCLLIIPPBBOOAARRDD“Offensively, I thought we werephenomenal in the second half,” saidinterim coach Tracy Anderson. “We hadsome easy baskets because of theturnovers and that’s something we haven’tbeen able to do until today.”

“It was about adjustment and we didthat at half time,” Gravel said.

In their previous game, the team failedto make it happen down the stretch. LastThursday, UTPA dropped a heartbreakerto Lipscomb in the final seconds of thegame 66-65 when Kendra Ramsey scoredthe winning basket with four seconds lefton the clock.

Pan Am made a last ditch effort with2.1 seconds left in the game, but SouthDakota native Carlow missed her jumpshot at the buzzer as the Lady Broncs lostfor the ninth time this season at theFieldhouse.

“She made a tough shot. It happens,”

Gravel said on the heart-wrenching loss toLipscomb.

The Lady Broncs will wrap up their2002-03 season against Independent rivalCentenary on March 1 at the Fieldhouse,on what has been designated as SeniorDay.

“I want to come out and play the bestgame that I can and leave Pan Am withsomething to remember me by,” Williamssaid.

“I’m excited because we’re playingCentenary. We have a big rivalry withthem, but it’s going to be reallyemotional. It would be nice to finish witha win,” leading scorer Gravel said.

“It’s been kind of bittersweet. It’s beena tremendous year and I’m lookingforward to the last game and also a bit sadbecause it’s been a lot of fun and we’replaying really good basketball right now,”Anderson said.

LADY BRONCS continued from page 15

posted a woeful 7.26 ERA, but this seasonUTPA hurlers have thrown for a 5.42ERA.

“We’ve played hard for the most part,”first year head coach Willie Gawlik said.“We’re playing and pitching well. We’relearning on the run.”

In mid-February,Pan Am’s pitchingwore out after astrong 4-2 start anddropped four straightgames includingbeing outscored 41-9in the ExpressCollege Classic (Feb.14-16).

However, in thelast four games, theBroncs have gone 3-1 by scoring anaverage of 6.5 runsper game whileUTPA pitching has held their opponentsto 1.75 runs per game which has bolsteredthe team’s ERA on the strength of someinnovative pitching techniques thatGawlik has resorted to.

“They’re working hard and trying to getbetter. We have to shore up and get somemore pitching,” said Gawlik on the lackof pitching on the Bronc roster.

In order to rest a tired pitching staff,Gawlik has resorted to using positionplayers such as John Lopez, Aaron Guerra

and Juan Saenz to step up onto the moundand they have done just that by pitchingsome quality innings in recent games.

“That’s a pretty tough assignment, butLopez has stepped up, Saenz has done thesame thing and Guerra hasn’t pitched

since high school, butthey’ve met thechallenge,” Gawliksaid.

The Broncs willplay 13 of their next18 games at home,but will face somepretty toughcompetition duringthe home stretch,matching up againstthe likes ofTAMUCC and SamHouston StateUniversity.

Pan Am’s schedulewon’t get any easier, since the Broncswill close out the last stretch of theseason by playing 18 of their last 20games on the road.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Gawliksaid on the upcoming stretch. “We’ve gotto be able to adjust and move ahead.”

Last season, after UTPA’s rocky 2-12start, the Broncs only managed to go 13-26, which included losing their last sevengames of the 2001-/02 season to finish at15-38.

IMPROVEMENT continued from page 14

They’re workinghard and trying to

get better. Wehave to shore up

and get somemore pitching

““

- Willie Gawlik, head baseball coach

February 27, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 3

It started with the French Club, and then therewas a Spanish Club. Now, the University ofTexas-Pan American has an American SignLanguage Organization.

The club was founded in Fall 2001 andcurrently has 60-65 members, most of whomare communication disorders majors. ClubPresident Eric Martinez says the sign languageorganization was formed to “bridge the gapbetween the hearing and non-hearing world.”

Most club members already have knowledgeof sign language or have taken one of the twoclasses offered at the university.

“Unfortunately,” Martinez says, “we only

have two sign language classes, but eighty toeighty-five percent of the members know signlanguage.”

Club adviser Keith Sibley and his wife Paulaare both sign language instructors who, with thehelp of the organization, promote signing to thecommunity.

The sign club works closely with the SouthTexas Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing(STCDHH) and the Valley Association forIndependent Living (VAIL). Club memberstutor deaf children who are part of these twoorganizations, and also assist fellow members.

On campus, the sign club hosts bake sales,“pampered chef” sales, and a silent dinner. Withthe silent dinner, members bring one dollar andcan sit and eat with other members of the club,

as well as deaf people in the community.Martinez says the club has a great influence

on the community.“In the organization, we do many events,” he

said. “This semester we have a picnic plannedand a bowling night. We invite all the membersof the deaf community, their moms, dads, andany children they may have, and we invite themlong before we do anything.”

The most profound involvement in thecommunity comes with the organization’s bookreading at McAllen’s Barnes and Noble, held onthe last Saturday of each month at 3 p.m. Theregular Barnes and Noble book reading isaccompanied by Keith Sibley’s sign language.According to Martinez, the turnout is alwaysbig, giving the opportunity to give back to the

community. “It works out really great because just before

that (3 p.m.), they have story time and everyonekind of sticks around for the signing,” he said.

Last spring, the organization was awarded the“Service Project of the Year” by UTPA. Thisyear, members are planning to host a “deafpicnic” on campus for the deaf community aswell as the public. They are expecting 350-400people in attendance from San Antonio, CorpusChristi, Laredo, and the Valley. This event isopen to all members of the organization and thepublic.

For more information about the club, e-mailEric Martinez at eric8100@prodigy.net, orattend a meeting, held every Tuesday from 12p.m.-1 p.m. at the U.C.

Sign Language club has increasing activityBy MELISSA MORENOThe Pan American

Students at The University of Texas-PanAmerican could soon have a chance to work for aFortune 500 company after graduation.

INROADS, a non-profit organization that seeksto increase business career opportunities andknowledge for minorities, recruits students forinternships, giving corporations the opportunityto develop diverse managerial talent during theircollege career.

“INROADS is very influential for any studentthat participates,” said Carole Grant, the firm’smanaging director for central Texas.

According to the INROADS website(www.INROADS.org) over the last three years,an average of 60 percent of all graduatingINROADS interns have received immediate full-time offers from their corporate sponsors.

In order to apply for the internship, thestudent must be a minority with a 3.0 average,have a combined SAT score of at least 900, or anACT score of at least 20. The students must alsobe pursuing a degree in a business or anothertechnical discipline, as well as liberal arts, law,and medicine, and they must demonstrateoutstanding leadership characteristics.

The student must also be a senior in highschool, or a first or second year college studentsince at least two summers are necessary in orderto get the internship. The INROADS graduateinternship program recruits third and fourth yearcollege students planning to pursue an advanceddegree.

INROADS staff proceeds to select 100students from all applicants after intensivescreening and many one-on-one interviews andare called the INROADS “talent pool,” a groupof people who will be presented to thecorporations.

INROADS, funded through client sponsorshipfees, foundation grants and contributions, alsoprovides counseling and training once the studentis selected to receive an internship.

According to www.INROADS.org,participating companies must make a three-partcommitment: to provide career-related summerwork experience for interns, to form a team ofstaff members to guide and oversee the internsdevelopment, and to pay a consecutive salary tothe intern, as well as an annual sponsorship feeper intern.

Located in Austin, the central office servicesall students from south of Waco to the Valley,said Grant. But its connections with Valley kidahave been sporadic and rife with confusion.

When asked if she services students fromUTPA, Grant replied, “As far as I know, wehaven’t had any students from UTPA, but wouldlove the opportunity to work for them and helpthem with their career planning anddevelopment.”

At UTPA, Career Placement Services (CPS) isdedicated to serving students at all points in theirundergraduate and graduate academic careers.

As stated in the mission statement, CPS isresponsible for connecting university studentsand alumni with prospective employers. In orderto fulfill this responsibility, the organization iscommitted to providing high quality services thatenable students, throughout their academiccareer, to explore career options, developeffective job search skills, and ultimately obtaincareer related employment or admission to aprofessional or graduate school upon graduatingfrom UTPA.

According to Enedelia P. Kidd, Director ofCPS, INROADS contacted her to see if UTPAwanted to collaborate with the organization ayear ago. After information was exchanged sheaccepted.

“After some time, students came and told meINROADS was charging them 30 dollars to usetheir services but the organization alreadyreceives donations from corporations,” said Kidd.

According to Kidd, the students didn’t need topay the $30 fee since CPS assisted UTPAstudents with finding jobs and internships forfree.

“I’m here to help the student and to protect thestudent,” said Kidd.

Because of this confusion, INROADS and theCareer Placement Services at UTPA lost contact.

Grant, when asked about the 30-dollar fee thatwas not made clear to the CPS staff a year ago,said, “The 30-dollar fee was for the Talent Pooltraining which also included breakfast andlunch.”

When asked if there was any other fee that thestudent would have to pay consideringINROADS is a non-profit organization, Grantreplied, “The only other fee is optional, only ifthe students wishes to join the INROADS studentassociation during the year.”

Kidd was notified of the response and said thatshe would be more than happy to contactINROADS once again.

For further information, visitwww.INROADS.org, or contact Daniel Guerreroat 1(800) 390-1905. CPS is located at UTPA inthe student services building in room 147 or canbe reached my phone at (956) 381-2243 fromeight a.m. to five p.m. Monday through Friday.

Internship Websitepromises opportunityBy ADRIANA MARTINEZThe Pan American

A hive of killer bees is due toarrive in the Valley next fall.

Hidalgo, the Rio Grande Valleytown known for “The World’sLargest Killer Bee,” a spectacleseen in shows such as the OprahWinfrey Show, is welcoming a newgroup of killer bees to a newhockey arena.

The Rio Grande Valley EventsCenter will be the home of TheKiller Bees, the newest team in theArizona-based Central HockeyLeague. The hockey team will dropthe puck for pre-season games inOctober.

The arena will not only house thehockey team, but also bring morethan 150 events per seasonincluding concerts, and familyshows.

CityManager JoeVera III saidthat the hockeyarena willimprove thequality of lifeof the residentsof the Valleybecause it willbring showssuch as Disneyon Ice, neverbefore seen inthis part ofTexas.

Construction and development ofthis arena took five years. Hidalgocity officials were interested insimply building a civic center forthe town, but after extensiveresearch they decided to join forcewith the Texas Municipal FacilitiesCorp., and the InternationalColiseum Co., according to Vera.

“We started looking at building acivic center,” Vera said. “Afterresearching and visiting companiesof both centers and coliseums, wecame in contact with RickKozuback in the Central HockeyLeague and got interested.”

The construction phase for the$20 million project started in June2002, and a number of companieshave aided the project. About 15-20architects from PBK, a Canadiancompany, come down every otherweek to run the project, with thehelp of local architect Eddie Vela

and Williamson Construction Co. ofPharr. Vela said it has taken fiveyears of implementation to try tomake the project a reality.

The multipurpose arena has acapacity of 7,000 people for regularevents, and can seat up to 5,500 forhockey games. Wane Davis, thevice president of GlobalEntertainment Marketing System,said the company thought the arenawas a good fit because it can houseboxing matches, arena football,basketball, tennis, and soccer.

“It will enhance the culture of theValley because it will bring indifferent types of events the Valleydoes not have,” Davis said. “It willgive the Valley a since ofcommunity pride with external andinternal events.”

According to both Vera andDavis, club seats and suites are

almost soldout, whileseason ticketsare stillavailable forthe public.Differentcompanies,businesses,and law firmsaround theValley havepurchased thesuites andclub seats, buttheir namescannot berevealed,

according to Davis.The coliseum will not just benefit

the City of Hidalgo, but the entireValley by providing jobs, Vera said.

“We are excited about the arenaand the support by the community,”Vera commented. “It will generatejobs, and the taxes will benefit theentire area.”

The good weather in the Valleyhas permitted the construction ofthe arena to proceed quickly,according to Davis. Duane Stark,vice president of WilliamsonConstruction Co., has estimated thefinishing touches of the buildingwill conclude in mid-September,making the arena ready for use inOctober.

“The building is something thepeople will be very proud of andlook forward to using it in thefuture,” Davis predicted.

Killer Bees in their houseBy ARIANNA VAZQUEZThe Pan American

We are excitedabout the arena andthe support by thecommunity. It willgenerate jobs, andthe taxes will benefitthe entire area.

“

“

- Joe Vera III,Hidalgo City Manager

After 14 games, the University ofTexas-Pan American baseball team hasused some scrappy offense andinnovative pitching to post a 7-7 recordwhich is an improvement over last year’s2-12 start.

Last season, the Bronc’s notched adismal 15-38 record while generatingonly 16 home runs, and crossing theplate 206 times off 177 RBI and 424 hits.

However, this season UTPA’s offensehas generated 7 home runs, 79 RBI’s,racked up 89 runs and 131 hits.

This year’s offensive output is 30-45percent of last season’s offensive totalsin a little over a quarter of the schedule.

In the won-lost category, the orange-and-green have already notched 46percent of last year’s total wins in only14 games.

Pan Am’s pitching has also seenimprovement. Last year, Bronc pitching

February 27, 2003 sports Page 14

UTPA BASEBALL SCORES AND STATS

Feb. 23Ark.-Monticello (5-5) 0 0 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 - 6 10 3UTPA (7-7) 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 - 5 6 3

Pitchers: Arkansas-Monticello - N Johnson; J Bowen(5); D Keen (6). UTPA - J Duhon; T Sorden (4); JGibson (7). Win-J Bowen (1-0) Save-D Keen (1) Loss-J Duhon(0-2) Time - 2:55 Attendance - 325HR UTPA - M Garza

Feb. 22 Game 2 Ark.-Monticello (4-5) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 1 4 1UTPA (7-6) 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 - 2 6 0Pitchers: Arkansas-Monticello - J McClain; J Johnson(7). UTPA - B DiOrio; J Gibson (7). Win - J Gibson (1-1) Loss - J Johnson (0-1) Time -1:58 Attendance - 329

Feb. 22 Game 1Ark.-Monticello (4-4) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 3 6UTPA (6-6) 0 1 0 2 0 3 9 0 X -15 13 1

Pitchers: Arkansas-Monticello - B Goswick; LJohnson (6); S Watkins (7). UTPA - J Lopez; J Saenz(8). Win - J Lopez (1-0) Loss - B Goswick (2-1) Time -2:40 Attendance - Not ReportedHR UTPA - M Garza

BattingG AB H R HR RBI AVG

L. Alamia 9 26 13 7 0 3 .500J. McCoy 14 34 14 11 0 7 .412M. Garza 14 59 23 11 3 13 .390Tony Ortiz 14 54 19 10 0 8 .352Juan Saenz 9 25 7 0 0 4 .280Note: based on at least 25 at bats.

PitchingG IP W-L ERA SO BB

John Lopez 3 11.1 1-0 0.79 9 8Ben DiOrio 4 19.0 2-0 1.42 12 6Aaron Guerra 4 20.2 2-2 3.92 8 8Note: based on at least 10 innings pitched.

UTPA BASEBALL STATS

Date Opponent Result SiteFeb. 1 SWT W 11-3 HFeb. 2 Sch. (DH) W 13-4 HFeb. 2 Schreiner W 7-1 HFeb. 10 Lamar (DH) L 10-16 HFeb. 10 Lamar W 3-2 HFeb. 11 Lamar L 2-9 HFeb. 14 California L 5-20 AFeb. 15 Nebraska L 1-9 AFeb. 16 SWT. L 3-12 AFeb. 19 Inc. Word (DH) L 8-12 (10) HFeb. 19 Inc. Word W 4-0 HFeb. 22 Ark.-Monticello (DH) W 15-0 HFeb. 22 Ark.-Monticello W 2-1 HFeb. 23 Ark.-Monticello L 5-6 H

Date Opponent Site TimeFeb. 26 Texas Tech A CanceledFeb. 27 Texas Tech A CanceledMar. 1 TAMUCC (DH) H 4 p.m.Mar. 2 TAMUCC H 1 p.m.Mar. 4 Reynosa (Exhib.) H 7:30 p.m.Mar. 7 TAMU A 7 p.m.Mar. 8 TAMU A 7 p.m.Mar. 9 TAMU A 1 p.m.Mar. 11 Sam Hou. St. H 7 p.m.Mar. 12 Sam Hou. St. H 1 p.m.

UTPA/Al Ogletree Classic (March 14-16)Mar. 14 Iona vs. Illinois H 3 p.m.Mar. 14 Prairie View H 7 p.m.Mar. 15 Iona vs. Prairie View H 3 p.m.Mar. 15 Illinois H 7 p.m.Mar. 16 Illinois vs. Prairie View H NoonMar. 16 Iona H 7 p.m.

Mar. 17 Iona H 7 p.m.Mar. 18 Iona H 2 p.m.Mar. 25 SWT A 6:30 p.m.Mar. 26 SWT A 4 p.m.Mar. 28 Dallas Baptist H 7 p.m.Mar. 29 Dallas Baptist H 7 p.m.Apr. 1 Texas A&M-Kingsville H 5 p.m.Apr. 5 TAMUCC (DH) A 1 p.m.Apr. 6 TAMUCC A 1 p.m.Apr. 8 Texas A 6:30 p.m.Apr. 11 Oral Roberts A 7 p.m.Apr. 12 Oral Roberts A 3 p.m.Apr. 13 Oral Roberts A 1 p.m.Apr. 15 Oklahoma St. A 6:30 p.m.Apr. 16 Oklahoma St. A NoonApr. 22 Texas A 6:30 p.m.Apr. 23 Texas-San Antonio A 1 p.m.Apr. 30 Texas-San Antonio (DH)H 5 p.m.May 2 Southeastern LA A 6:30 p.m.May 3 Southeastern LA A 3:30 p.m.May 4 Southeastern LA A 1 p.m.May 16 NMSU (DH) A 2/8 p.m.May 17 NMSU (DH) A 2/8 p.m.

UTPA Baseball Schedule

Men’s Basketball TeamLeaders

PointsG Pts Pts/G

K. MITCHELL 29 424 14.6Allen Holcomb 29 308 10.6Eric Montalvo 29 262 9.0 P. Thompson 29 243 8.4T. Sitnikovas 29 237 8.2

ReboundsG Reb RB/G

A. HOLCOMB 29 217 7.5T. Sitnikovas 29 130 4.5P. Thompson 29 121 4.2

AssistsG No A/G

JAMES DAVIS 28 104 3.7Kevin Mitchell 29 96 3.3Eric Montalvo 29 56 1.9

Women’s Basketball TeamLeaders

PointsG Pts Pts/G

ALEX GRAVEL 24 331 13.8Naima Williams 27 292 10.8Jennifer Piwonka 27 208 7.7Julie Porter 27 169 6.3Amanda Carlow 27 156 5.8

ReboundsG Reb RB/G

JULIE PORTER 27 155 5.7Naima Williams 27 150 5.6Jennifer Arriola 27 109 4.0

AssistsG No. A/G

J. PIWONKA 27 85 3.1Amanda Carlow 27 80 3.0Alex Gravel 24 50 2.1

UTPA BasketballStats

By ED CHRNKOThe Pan American

See IMPROVEMENT page 13

Broncs getting better

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539(956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122

http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican51st Year – No. 18

EditorMatt Lynch

mlynch@panam.edu

Layout Designers

Ashley Brooks

Gabriel O. Hernandez

Reporters

Hilda Barrientes

Amelia Garcia

Dulce Gonzalez

Aaron Lozano

Adriana Martinez

Clarissa Martinez

Jennifer Tapia

Celeste Y. Tello

Arianna Vazquez

Photographer

Daniel Aguilar

Circulation

Joe Rodriguez

Advertising

Dagoberto Perez

Advertising Coordinator

Juanita Sanchez

Adviser

Dr. Greg Selber

the PAN AMERICAN is theofficial studentnewspaper of TheUniversity ofTexas-PanAmerican. Views presentedare those of thewriters and do notnecessarily reflectthose of theuniversity.

The Pan Americangladly acceptsletters fromstudents, staff andfaculty regardingnewspaper contentor current issues.The Pan Americanreserves the rightto edit submissionsfor grammar andlength. Please limitsubmission lengthto 300 words. ThePan Americancannot publishanonymous letters,or submissionscontaining hatespeech orgratuitouspersonal attacks.Letters are printedat the discretion ofthe editor andmust include thewriter’s name,class/title andphone number.

Letters policy

February 272 0 0 3

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Sports EditorEd Chrnko

echrnko@yahoo.com

A & E EditorAshley Brooks

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beberay25@aol.com

Graphics EditorGabriel O.Hernandez

gabo296@hotmail.com

NEWS■ INROADS . . . . . . . . 3■ Student Politics . . . . 4■ Campus Calendar. . .6

Today, 15 people in need of an organtransplant will die because there was not anorgan available for a transplant.

In 14 minutes, another person will beadded to the national organ transplantwaiting list. With such a high need here inSouth Texas, the Texas Organ SharingAlliance is trying to decrease those numbersone family at a time.

According to Yolanda Montemayor,TOSA’s Southern Region manager, SouthTexas (from San Antonio to the Rio GrandeValley) has the lowest consent rates in theUnited States for organ donation.

“As of right now, there are 1,700 peopleon the waiting list, and 1,300 of those are forkidneys,” Montemayor said.

One such patient that was waiting for atransplant was 17-year-old Jesica Santilan,the Mexican national who died in NorthCarolina this week after her operation faileddue to the use of the wrong blood type. Thathigh-profile case makes organ donation aneven more important topic for discussion,and in the Valley there is a serious discourseunfolding on the subject.

TOSA has been working in the Valley for16 years, and servicing families from RioGrande City to Brownsville. As anorganization, TOSA has been in operation for27 years.

2000 Coalition on DonationMontemayor said the need for kidney

transplants is far greater in South Texas dueto diabetes and high blood pressure, whichare common illnesses among Hispanics.

With kidney problems, there is a dialysismachine that helps the patient by functioningas a kidney until the patient has no choicebut to be put on the waiting list. But withorgans such as the lungs and heart, thosepatients must be placed on the waiting listquickly.

“There is no option,” Montemayor said.“Either they get the lung or heart transplantor they die.”

TOSA has three main operationalfunctions. One of those is communityeducation, which gives people at least ageneral idea on the subject. The organizationmust also do hospital education wherephysicians and the nursing staff are broughtup to date on donation facts.

Montemayor said that organ donation is a,“very small part,” of the medical field. Theirmost important job is to approach familieswhen brain death occurs.

“The hospital calls us and we evaluate thepatient-and not every person that diesqualifies to be a donor,” Montemayor said.“If they aren’t a candidate for organ donationthen we don’t even approach the family.”

Should the patient qualify to be a donor,the family is approached 30 minutes to anhour after the death is announced.

“It makes a difficult position to be inbecause you’re approaching families that aregoing through an emotional roller-coaster,they’re going through all the stages ofgrieving and it becomes a very sensitivetime,” Montemayor said. “So, if we go totalk to a family and they never discussedorgan donation, the majority of the timethey’re going to say, ‘Well no, we don’t

know what he wanted,’ or, ‘How dare youask us this right now.’ You never realize howimportant donation is until you are in thesituation.”

With exposure to the subject, the familydoesn’t get offended because they understandthat the discussion of organ donation is a partof the process. One of the most importantissues TOSA tries to present is the need todiscuss organ donation with families whileno one is in the hospital.

“It’s best to talk about it when there isn’t atragedy at hand because really that time isnot the best time because you’re going to bedealing with lots of emotions,” Montemayorsaid.

Dealing with Organ DonationEven Prado of Rio Grande City was going

into his junior year of high school when hediscovered he had kidney failure. Hemanaged school, college planning, anddialysis while waiting for a kidney. Pradowas on the waiting list for six months beforereceiving a kidney from his father.

“You never realize how important donationis until you are in the situation,” he said.

Along with TOSA, Prado agrees that themajority of the public is uneducated on thesubject and has taken it upon himself toinform the public.

“I was able to make an informativeinterview with Univision where I shared mystory to try to open people’s minds and toeducate them on the issue,” he said. “I alsoattended a meeting involving nurses fromValley hospitals and again shared myexperience.”

Montemayor stated that the decision todonate is made by the individual. Aside fromdiscussing it with family, there are stickersthat read ‘DONOR’ that can be placed on adriver’s license, and there is also the donorcard, which is signed by the individual alongwith two witnesses. Both of these areconsidered legal documents.

Despite the fact that these are legaldocuments, family members still have theoption of declining organ donation. Legally,the organization can still continue with thedonation, yet Montemayor said that it is arisk that TOSA is not willing to take.

Richard Pinon, TOSA’s hospital and donorservices coordinator, said in South Texas,the extended family tend to have difficultywith the subject of donation, and often has aneffect on the final outcome.

“With the myths of donation, we try totake people to a comfort level where theyunderstand the process and that they aren’timpeding the sanctity of the body becausethat’s the belief,” Pinon said.

Another myth that TOSA must dispel often

is the religious views toward the subject.“Over the past five years we’ve taken great

strides in making sure that the churchescome out to speak on behalf of organdonation,” Montemayor said. “There is notone recognized religion in the United Statesthat opposes organ donation.”

Montemayor and Pinon both agree thatthere is an understanding and acceptancegrowing around South Texas.

“Now because we’ve done so muchcommunity education—even if they still sayno, they’re calm about it,” Montemayor said.“The whole thing has evolved into them stillsaying no, but at least they have knowledgeabout it.”

Community AwarenessIn efforts to inform the community on this

issue, TOSA and its volunteers attend healthfairs, do civic and community organizationpresentations, as well as spreading the wordto high school students involved in healthclasses, Health Occupation Students ofAmerica, and Reserve Officers’ TrainingCorps.

TOSA, along with several nationalorganizations has various projects to increaseawareness. In November, the National DonorSabbath is held where all churches across thenation speak out on behalf of organ donating.

“April is the nationwide Donate Lifemonth,” Montemayor said. “We take greenribbons and place them along Business 83with the help of volunteers.”

Each May, donor families gather for adonor quilt ceremony. During this ceremonyfamilies’ come together to talk about theirloved one and create a patch that will bindthe quilt together. This creates an opportunityfor loved ones to grief and celebrate life. Thequilt is kept in TOSA’s San Antonio office.

“We don’t want to get away from theunderstanding that these families have beenthrough such tragic situations,” Pinon said.“Because they’ve donated—they havetouched the lives of many people.”

In the end, Pinon and Montemayor saidthey hope to drastically decrease the dramaticstatistics they deal with daily. Slowly, TOSAis on its way to accomplish their goal. Thispast year, there have been 22 donor familiescompared to the 12 in 2001.

“Although the donors and recipients areconnected through grieving—recipientsknow that someone had to die for them to geta second chance at life. The donor family—they’re the true heroes because they had tothink past their moment of grief to give lifeto someone else,” Montemayor said.

For further information on organ donorawareness or volunteer opportunities, call630-0884.

By EDWINA P. GARZAThe Pan American

Organ topic gaining importance

• One individual donor can provide organs, bone, andtissue for 50 or more people.

• Donation is not considered until all efforts to save thepatient’s life have failed.

• Organs & tissue for donation include the heart; liver,tendons, lungs, skin, pancreas, corneas, bone, kidneys,intestines, and heart valves

Organ Donation Facts

The University of Texas-PanAmerican women’s basketball teamscored its highest point total of theseason, defeating Division II IncarnateWord 77-68 Tuesday night at theFieldhouse before a crowd of 255supporters.

The win improved the Lady Broncsto 6-21 on the season while droppingthe Crusaders to 15-10 for the year.

Five UTPA players scored in thedouble-digits as the team shot aseason-best 52.5 percent from thefloor in attaining the season high. Thewomen hoopsters also tied a season-low in the turnover category byallowing only nine, and this was oneof the keys to their second win in thelast three games.

Senior forward Alex Gravel led theLady Broncs with 20 points, andupped her all-time scoring record to1,204 points. Five-foot-seven guardJennifer Piwonka netted 16 points andsenior center Naima Williamscontributed 11 to solidify her hold onsecond place on the UTPA all-timescoring list with 1,157 points. AmandaCarlow and Jennifer Arriola eachadded 10 points in the victory.

“It’s a pretty good achievement. I’mproud of myself. I’ve been here forfour years and worked hard so it’s areally good achievement for me,”Williams said on her scoring mark.

UTPA exploded for an early 24-8lead with 9:58 left to play in the firsthalf, but IWU fought back by goingon a 20-4 run to tie the game 28-28.Junior center Shamieka Buckley andsenior guard April Walker led the

Crusader surge with six points apiece.Five-foot-ten sophomore guard AmyMueller led the IWU with 16 pointsfor the game.

After the Crusader run, Pan Amsettled down and went back to work.Gravel hit a three-pointer for a 33-30with 1:28 remaining in the first halfand UTPA held on to go into theintermission with a narrow 37-32 lead.

“We had to pick up our intensityand knew that if we did, we wouldwin the game,” Houston nativeWilliams said.

In the second half, Pan Amfashioned a nine-point 58-49 lead overIWU that was capped by junior Mary

DeCock’s three-pointer with 9:13remaining.

The Lady Broncs went on a 9-2 runto take a seemingly commanding 64-51 lead with 5:40 left to play,but IWUclosed the gap to come within sixpoints when senior guard MichelleViverette converted a three-point playto cut Pan Am’s lead to 65-59 with3:56 remaining.

However, that’s as close as theCrusaders would get. UTPA outscoredIWU 12-9 in the last three minutes ofthe game to pick up its second win inthree games and improve the homerecord to 4-9 at the Fieldhouse.

The University ofTexas-Pan Americanbaseball team almostrecorded a sweep of theArkansas-MonticelloBoll Weevils lastweekend.

But after Saturday'sdoubleheader wins,UTPA was stopped shortin the series finaleSunday, losing Weevils6-5, to make its record7-7 for the year.

“We didn't play goodfundamental baseball,”head coach WillieGawlik said. “Wehad errors thathurt us, and didn’tget serious untillate in the game.”

It wasn’t untilthe third inning ofthe game Sundaythat the BollWeevils (now 5-5)scored and took a2-0 advantage. Inthe top of thefourth frame, theyadded one run tomake the score 3-0.

Having alreadyplated a run in thefourth, the visitorshad anopportunity to putthe game out of reachwith two outs and thebases loaded, but UTPAsophomore JonathanMason made a catch incenter field for the thirdout.

UTPA’s first score ofthe day came in thebottom of the forth onfreshman LouieAlamia’s hit to centerfield that platedsophomore Tony Ortiz.

The Weevilsresponded with anotherrun in the fifth, and theBroncs were down 4-1.

But UTPA respondedas senior Jerome McCoystole second base to puthimself in scoringposition. Withsophomore Marco Garzaat the plate, McCoyadvance to third on apassed ball. Garzafinally has his chance tohit and took theopportunity to fire a shotinto left field to scoreMcCoy, closing the gapto 4-2.

After the Weevilsadded two insurance

runs in the seventh, theBroncs had one lastchance with two outs inthe ninth inning. After awalk put McCoy onfirst, the senioradvanced to third on anerror.

Senior Bruce Kennedyslapped a grounderthrough the infield tohelp McCoy score hissecond run of the dayand close the lead to 6-3.

One batter later, Garzabelted a two-run homerover the left-field wallto pull the Broncs within

a single run. But the UTPA rally

would fall short assophomore catcher MattEichel grounded out toend the game.

Jason Duhon took theloss on the mound forUTPA.

“We didn't pitch welland we playedinconsistently,” Gawliksaid. “The key to win isto play very consistentthroughout the game.We just didn't getserious until late in thegame.”

UTPA’s chance tocompete against a Big12 team, Texas Tech,went by the waysidebecause the recent coldsnap made travel tonorth Texas difficult.

The team will play athome this weekend,March 1-2 against TexasA&M-Corpus Christi.March 1 will feature adoubleheader againstTAMUCC which willbegin at 4 p.m., whilethe series finale willbegin at 1 p.m. March 2.

February 27, 2003 sports Page 15

UTPA downs Incarnate Word

UTPA comeback falls short asArkansas-Monticello wins 6-5

By JUAN FLORESThe Pan American

Photo by Daniel Aguilar/The Pan American

CROWDED: Alex Gravel (5) tries to get position on an Incarnate Word defender during Tuesday night’s 77-68 win for UTPA.

Broncs take 2 of 3from Boll Weevils

Lady Broncs tally season highs in points and shooting percentage,while tying a season low in turnovers en route to sixth win of season

Photo by Daniel Aguilar/The Pan AmericanUP AND AWAY: Lady Bronc Naima Williams shoots against Incarnate Word Tuesday.

We didn’t pitchwell and we

playedinconsistently.The key to winis to play very

consistentthroughout the

game.

““

- Willie Gawlik , head baseball coach

By ED CHRNKOThe Pan American

See LADY BRONCS page 13

THURSDAYFebruary 27, 2003

An Inside Look:

■ News ............................................2■ A & E............................................7■ Sports ........................................16

T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n

Page 4

CCaammppuussVOICE

Are youconcerned

about safetyin Valley

night clubs?

CAMPUS

■ BORDER BOLT

In Weslaco ashort high-speedchase earlyWednesdaymorning ended ina cabbage fieldwith the driverfleeing on foot.Police originallyattempted to stopthe car forspeeding. Whenthe driver wascaught, officialsrealized he hadsix illegal aliensin the vehicle,including twohiding in thetrunk. The driverwas arrested andthe aliens weredetained byBorder Patrolagents. The caseis still underinvestigation.

■ WAKEUP CALL

An Edinburgschool bus wasinvolved in anaccidentWednesdaymorning beforeschool bells rang.The bus collidedwith a FordMustang on thecorner of MonteCristo and TerryRoad. Threestudents and thedriver of theMustang weretaken to McAllenMedical Center.Two of thestudents werefromEconomedesHigh School andthe other fromMemorial MiddleSchool.

Celeste Y. Tello/The Pan American

EMPHATIC— FormerCongressman Kika de laGarza speaks to UTPAstudents Wednesday. The Valley native servedin politcs on many levelsfor over 30 years, andwas one the first high-profile Hispanics tomake it big in govern-ment

Kika de la Garza made his first visit tothe UTPA campus as a guest speaker thispast Tuesday where he stood in front ofstudents for a casual exchange ofquestions and answers.

De la Garza is a Mercedes native whograduated from Mission High School. Heenlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 andserved until 1946. In 1952, he was electedto the Texas House of Representatives,where he served six consecutive terms. In1964, de la Garza was elected to the U.S.House of Representatives for the 15thdistrict of Texas and served his last termin 1997.

Dr. Jerry Polinard was responsible forbringing de la Garza to UTPA to share hisexperience with students, and he hopes togenerate more visits from variouspoliticians.

“We thought we’d have an opportunityhere to inaugurate a series of programs

that we’ll call ‘conversations with,’”Polinard said. “This actually goes back, Iran into Kika last fall at the senatorialdebate held in Brownsville and hementioned that he had never been invitedto talk overall at the campus. I justthought ‘Gosh what an opportunity for ourstudents to have an opportunity with aperson with that wealth of experience.’”

With de la Garza’s interest in speakingat UTPA and Polinard’s invitation, itwasn’t long before the students wouldhave a chance to ask their former staterepresentative questions.

For Polinard, de la Garza’s visit is thefirst in what he hopes will become a seriesof visits from different political figures.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to use this as aspringboard to bring other speakers to thecampus over time,” Polinard said. “Atleast one per semester.”

De la Garza was willing to come toUTPA and said that he will travel

Longtime politicospeaks on campusBy CELESTE TELLOThe Pan American

The University of TexasBorder Health Office issponsoring a diabetes awarenesscampaign targeting young kidsin school.

The Office, which is part ofThe University of Texas-PanAmerican, is hosting a diabetescampaign March 3-7 in an effortto educate school children aboutthe dangers of the disease. TheSchool Education andEnrollment Project (SEEP)targets 4th-grade students acrossthe Rio Grande Valley. Incidenceof the disease among Hispanicsis greater than with any otherethnic minority, reaching as highas 20 percent in the Valleyaccording to recent scientificstudies.

This campaign will beconducted through 31 school

districts and will reach anestimated 21,000 4th-graders.According to Eddie Quintanilla,health education coordinator forBorder Health, the diabetesawareness campaign is targetingthem because they are moresusceptible to receivinginformation.

“It is proven that students inthe 4th grade are more receptiveto information,” said Quintanilla.

The campaign given to thesestudents will feature lesson plansgiven to the teachers regardingdiabetes at least two weeks priorto March 3. The teachers willhave time to review them beforepresenting them to their students.If they have any questionsregarding the lesson plans theteachers have been informed thatthe school nurses are available toassist them when presenting thelessons to the children.

Diabetes, kids paired in eventBy DULCE GONZALEZThe Pan American

See SPEAKER page 5 See DIABETES page 4

It was Senior Night and a capacitycrowd packed the UTPA Fieldhouse forthe home finale of the 2002-2003 men’ sbasketball campaign, as the Broncs weretrying to avenge a loss earlier this seasonto the Centenary Gentlemen. Howeverthey came up short and lost 78-76.

“We want to go out, just mainly havefun and think about why we came out toplay basketball,” senior guard KevinMitchell said.

James Davis another senior guard, wasready for the season to be over, “ I can’tspeak for everybody, it’s been afrustrating year.”

The Broncs started the game on a 9-2run led by Mitchell and the Broncfaithful went into a frenzy as the teamextended the lead to 21-10 with 8:35 leftin the first half.

The Gents were not ready to acceptdefeat yet and came roaring back to tiethe game up at 30 going into theintermission.

The Gentlemen came out the secondhalf with something to prove, led bytheir star forward Andrew Wisniewskiwho was in foul trouble in the first half.They manufactured a lead of 63-49 with7:07 left, that’s when the Broncs hadseen enough and went on a 16-6 run toclose the gap to 69-65 with 2:50remaining.

In the final seconds of this thrillerwhich went down to the wire, juniorforward Allen Holcomb had anopportunity to tie the game with twopressure free throws, but only made oneout of two and the Broncs dropped adevastating heart breaker. Holcombended the game with 17 points and

ripped down seven rebounds. Head Coach Bob Hoffman said “Eric

Montalvo played one of his best games,he hit some big shots.” Sophomore guardEric Montalvo finished the game with 20points and 10 rebounds for his seconddouble-double of the season.

"The guys came out with a lot ofenergy and enthusiasm, they fought likecrazy and played hard until the end,"head coach Bob Hoffman said about theeffort of his team.

Mitchell played every minute of thefinal home game of his Bronc career; heended as the high scorer with 26 points.

“There was excitement, drama andsuspense, it was a wild game,” Mitchellsaid.

The Broncs fell to 10-19 with thedefeat. UTPA will close out their seasonon the road against Morris Brown inAtlanta, Ga. on March 1 at 5 p.m.

SENIOR NIGHT

Before the Broncs played their homebasketball finale, the University ofTexas-Pan American wanted to recognizethe senior’s men basketball players fortheir hard work and dedication.

The ceremony acknowledged KevinMitchell, Tomas Sitnikovas, Gabe Cortezand James Davis, awarding them withtheir jerseys and appreciation for whatthey have done for the Bronc family;following the festivities the four seniorsstarted their last career home game.

After the loss to Centenary the playersreflected on what being a Broncbasketball player meant to them.

"Coach Hoffman taught me a lot, notjust about basketball but about life,"Mitchell said. "This year was hard, Ihave memories that will last forever."

He went on to say, “therewere many things thisseason that gave uschallenges, we cametogether and tried toovercome.”

Gabe Cortez who walked-on as a freshman but seldomplayed, ended his final seasonas a Bronc with a bang, makinghis first ever collegiate startagainst Centenary.

"Hoffman and his family werereally great to me, I don’t think anyother coach would have given me achance," he said.

"I had teammates from all overthe world and got to travel all overthe country, it was a greatexperience." The senior thattraveled half across the world tobecome a Bronc player TomasSitnikovas said. "We learneddiscipline, time management andhow to take care of business, theteam had great chemistry. Myteammates are my friends and Iwill have contact with themforever."

“They are all good kids, theyalways gave it their all,” headcoach Hoffman said. “It was apleasure having them on my team.”

Guard James Davis summed it upbest when he said, "basketball is justa game, the important thing is I gotmy education, my teammates made itspecial."

So four Bronc seniors havelearned wisdom is not measured bythe total points on the scoreboard,but in the lessons taught throughlife experiences and relationshipswith people.

■ Women’s Basketball . .15■ Stat Page. . . . . . . . . . .14■ Sports Clipboard . . . . .13

PAGE 16

SPORTS

Photos by EdChrnko/The PanAmerican

DISH: Sophomore Eric Montalvo(left photo) passes the ball asDerrick East fills the lane duringthe UTPA home finale againstCentenary Monday night.

Right photo: Junior Allen Holcombgoes up for a shot againstCentenary on Monday night. TheBroncs dropped their seasonhome finale against the Gents78-76, giving UTPA a 10-19 record.

Gents drop Broncs in home finaleBy NADER M. SIAMThe Pan American

Broncs drop to 10-19 on season, seniors recollect on UTPA careers