Cpl. Henry McFarland had last seen his wife, Kayla, when she was five months pregnant, her bump barely showing as he prepared for his tour in a combat zone.

The UTPA sophomore put his business management degree and family life on hold when his Harlingen based reserve unit became activated for duty in Afghanistan.

“I knew I was going to miss so much,” McFarland said. “I was going to miss all the late nights and early mornings. I was going to miss holding him and feeding him.”

He recorded himself reading a book for his unborn child and tried to be as involved as he possibly could in the pregnancy before he left his home in Harlingen.

“I knew I was going to be a father, and I thought about my wife a lot,” McFarland recalled. “Over there you just don’t always have the time to think about home. To make it back, you have to think about your Marines and getting the job done.”

Once in Afghanistan he received constant updates from Kayla, which he checked on the camp computers between convoy missions through his unit’s area of operations. Each email containing an attached portrait of Kayla would change as his son grew in her womb.

McFarland was on patrol clearing military supply routes of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) the day Kayla went into to labor and had to go through an emergency C-section to deliver his son. When he returned to base, he opened the email that contained the grainy photo of the baby they would name after himself.

He placed the small picture under his flack-jacket, the photo now part of the armor protecting him from enemy shrapnel. The child would

remain a pixelated image to McFarland until the moment he held the 3-month-old baby in his arms for the first time.

THE LONG ROAD HOMEDuring its tour The Lone Star

Battalion provided security for Camp Leatherneck, the largest Marine-controlled base in the southern Afghan province of Helmand.

Capt. David Moran, inspecting commander for the South Texas unit, described the mission as being important for all aspects of Marine combat operation in Afghanistan. Without their help, military routes that supplied isolated bases throughout the area would be cut off.

The constant patrolling, however, exposed the Marines to the threat of IEDs every time they left the camp. According to Moran, the company had five different convoys hit by enemy explosives throughout their deployment.

One blast in particular stood out in the mind of Lance Cpl. Dylan de la Rosa, who like McFarland, stopped attending UTPA when the unit was activated.

“We had not seen many IEDs during the first few weeks,” the platoon radio operator recalled, “but towards the second month we started to see more action in the area.”

The IEDs, which varied in size and complexity, were buried in the ground along their routes and either detonated by insurgents or activated by the Americans as their vehicles rolled over them.

De la Rosa was in the second-to-last vehicle, providing security for the first part of the convoy as they crossed a dried-up riverbed, when the vehicles triggered the unit’s first experience with an enemy detonation. A plume of dust and smoke rose out of the ground as the lead Humvee lifted off the ground.

LocaL marines return to

famiLies and schooL

www.panamericanonline.comVolume 68, No. 6 October 6, 2011

Story and photosBy Reynaldo LealThe Pan American

father and son — Cpl. Henry McFarland holds his 3-month-old son Henry McFarland IV for the first time at his reserve unit’s homecoming in Donna, Saturday. His U.S Marine platoon had just returned from a seven month deployment to Afghanistan. See marines || Page 4

October 6, 20112Opinion

The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. We reserve the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. We cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@gmail.com.

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THE PAN AMERICAN

Vol. 68, No. 6

Francisco Rodriguez/THE PAN AMERICAN

I can always see it coming. It starts with a slight tilt of

the head, then narrowed eyes that accentuate a knitted brow and lips that tighten in a subtle frown.

As the realization hits, the eyes widen and that frown turns into a half-mocking, half-pitying smile that makes my stomach turn. � en they speak those inevitably condescending words: “Oh, you don’t speak Spanish?”

Yes, I’m a pocha. It’s a derogatory word that refers to people who mix English and Spanish and who are made fun of for being perceived as having left

their culture behind. As a pocha, I shoulder much of

the blame and social stigma for my lack of Spanish skills. People often seem to take it personally. � ere’s an assumption that because Spanish is so widely spoken in the Valley, I must have just refused to learn. � at’s really not the case.

I was raised primarily by my grandmother (an immigrant from Mexico) during my developmental years. You’d think she’d be all about speaking Spanish in her house, but that’s not what happened. It was English all the way. (Before you get any ideas about her being one of those I-don’t-want-my-kid-to-face-discrimination-so-I-just-won’t-teach-them-Spanish people, she’s constantly chastising me for being nearly mono–linguistic.)

Once someone’s done being patronizing, part two of the conversation ensues. “Why don’t you just learn?” they ask, every word dripping with disdain.

Well, surprisingly, it hasn’t been all that easy. � e reason is simple. People who are � uent in Spanish don’t want to listen to me try to string together a half-correctly conjugated sentence. I’ve literally had people turn around and walk away rather than try to understand my Spanglish. Polite

people will switch to English if they know it, or gracefully � nd a way out of the conversation if they don’t.

On top of that, Valleyites have become experts at shaming pochas, casting them as some kind of cultural traitors. It’s embarrassing to speak knowing that the Spanish words about to come out will be partially fumbled, roll awkwardly o� my tongue and immediately earn a raised eyebrow at best and the label “not Mexican enough” at worst. What kind of learning environment is that?

I � nally found solace in the writing of Gloria Anzaldua, a University alumna who is the premiere scholar on border theory and metizaje, the mixing of cultures. She explained the complexities of metaphysically living between two cultures on a physical border. � ere was � nally a word I could put to the frustration I felt, being half of two separate wholes, not quite one thing but not quite the other either.

� is shaming could have something to do with the humiliation our older family members experienced growing up in the Valley when children were punished for speaking Spanish in school. Oh, how the tables have turned. Except it’s not stern, ruler-happy teachers doing the shaming now. It’s

our own families and neighbors. I know I’m not the only one

who has felt this way. Why is it that, as grandchildren and children of immigrants, my cousins and I are blamed for not being taught Spanish? As though we had the authority or foresight to demand our parents make it the sole language at home.

� inking back on the insults and sarcasm I’ve received for being a pocha, I should be more angry at the people who have put me down thinking that it’ll somehow motivate me. � e reality is that I’m not. I know those people are just as in the wrong as critics who want English to be made the “o� cial” language of the United States or want the Spanish section taken out of the paper.

I’m not saying that I don’t want to learn Spanish. In fact, I know that I desperately need it. As an aspiring journalist, I worry about my ability to tell my community’s stories without being able to communicate with a sizeable portion of its population. I want to give voice to those untold stories, but I know I have a lot of work to do on my language skills before then.

All pochas need is some patience and a little support.

Confessions of a Pocha

By Nadia Tamez-RobledoArts & Life Editor

Correction: On page nine of the Sept.29 issue of � e Pan American, a graphic depicting Latino voter turnout mislabeled Puerto Rico and Cuba. � e correct data states that Puerto Rican voter turnout was at 29.6 percent and Cuban voter turnout was at 49.3 percent during the 2010 election.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

� e University of Texas-Pan American is the second school in the UT-System to have a K-9 drug unit on campus, according to Assistant Chief James Loya. � e University of Texas at Austin was the � rst to acquire drug-sni� ng dogs.

� e University Police Department purchased two Belgium Malinois in July as an added tool for the department. � e Malinois are commonly mistaken for German Shepherds but are thinner and lighter in color. Police o� cers Rafael De La Tejera and Molly Ralph were selected for a three-week training in order to become the University’s only two dog handlers.

“It was interesting. You mainly get to learn about the way the dogs theorize odors of narcotics,” Ralph said. “You also learn how to give commands and interpret the dog’s behavior – whether they’re working or distracted by something.”

� e response from students and faculty has been in favor of the dogs, according to Loya.

“Faculty and sta� have already said that they’re happy the dogs are here,” he said. “� e students in general at HESTEC were mainly surprised that we had them. � ey thought it was a good thing. � ey thought the

department was headed in the right direction with them.”

� is isn’t across the board however, according to Ralph, some faculty and students wonder if it’s an expense the University really needs to make in tough budgetary times.

� e University acquired the four-legged duo for an average of $7,000 to $15,000, according to the police department.

� e two dogs are named Diesel and Odin, and originally came from a vendor in Holland. � ey have already participated in presentations on campus including HESTEC last week. � e dogs have led to the arrest of a few individuals involving drug paraphernalia and narcotics.

� e police department teamed up with Residence Life for an introductory meeting to � nd out more information and become more familiar with the canines, according to Director of Residence Life Eric Booth.

“� ey’re using them to investigate legitimate concerns in the dorm rooms. But they’re not just walking through the halls,” he said. “� ey’re only using them when called.”

� e use of canines by University PD is not a new tool, however. Previously it was common to contact other agencies and request a canine intervention when needed.

“In the past we’ve had to rely on the Edinburg school district or the City of

Edinburg to provide their canine services,” Loya said. “But having them readily available to us here is a good thing.”

Attaining their own narcotic-sni� ng dogs has been a goal of the police department since Chief Roger Stearns arrived at UTPA in 2009.

“He came from a university who had dogs already. He made this a reality for us,” Loya said.

Diesel and Odin are a friendly duo, according to Loya and Ralph.

“� is is really their � rst time around big groups of people, especially like HESTEC,” Loya said. “In situations like that, the o� cers take extra precautions just to make sure.”

Part of the job of the handlers is to spend time with their assigned canine o� cer and learn to understand their behavioral patterns. In Ralph’s case, she and Odin spend on average of one to two hours a day together.

“Once we get units, then he’ll be able to ride with me,” she said. “� at means we’ll be together maybe eight to 12 hours a day.”

Eventually the handlers will have the option of taking the canine to their respective homes.

“What helps is developing that bond,” Ralph concluded. “You start to understand what’s normal and what’s not after being near each other every day, throughout the day.”

October 6, 2011 3UTPA welcomes newest addition to PD

By Roxann GarciaThe Pan American

Drug dogs to sniff out narcotics around campus

� e undergraduate degree in art is an established degree at the University, but a new twist has been implemented, after an art history emphasis was added during the summer.

Associate professor of art Richard Phillips said the new track focuses heavily on the study of Latin American art and architecture.

“In this new degree, the students take several studio art courses so that means they understand what it means to be an artist, empathize with artists, and also be able to analyze art,” Phillips said. “We have always had a demand (for the track) and we wanted to take that demand and provide students with this opportunity.”

Phillips � nished the course list that added the art history emphasis in 2009; the change was then approved by the University’s curriculum committee in early 2011 and afterward by President

Robert Nelsen and VP for Academic A� airs and Provost Havidan Rodriguez.

“When I started coming up with these proposals around the year 2008, it took three years to put it all together,” Phillips recalled. “We can focus on one (topic of art history) really well that the students are interested in and we can do better than other � agship universities by making it stronger. � ose universities usually only dedicate two faculty members to Latin American art history while we dedicate three.”

Carlos de Souza and Robert Bradley are associate professors involved with the art major. Along with Phillips, the three are experts on di� erent time periods of Latin American art history.

“� e major has a concentration in Latin American art because we have a population here that is very much Latino,” de Souza said. “We have classes on Latino art, and architecture, from the beginning of Mexican art in the pre-colonial times to the post-modern art.”

� e degree requires a minimum of

127 hours to graduate, with 24 hours focused on upper-division art history courses. � e art history emphasis in the BA in art will allow a student who graduates with the degree the opportunity to become an art historian, art appraiser, art archivist or teacher, among other things.

“� e uses of this type of profession here in the Valley are many; for example, one is that we are lacking people who understand art, who can put together shows, who can help our museums go forward, and I think that this type of degree will provide this profession,” said De Souza. “A person with a very good background in art history can work in pretty much any � eld of culture.”

As of 2010, there are currently 446 undergraduate students studying art majors at the University. Jessica Meza

is a junior and one of the two currently declared art history majors.

“I am glad that (the university) � nally o� ers art history as a degree,” Meza

said. “It’s hard to � nd an a� ordable university that o� ers this major. I am hoping to do research in the future as an art historian.”

Erick Gonzalez/THE PAN AMERICAN

By Daniella M. DiazThe Pan American

New art history BA now available

Tammy Ayala/THE PAN AMERICAN

K-9 - University police offi cer, Rafael de la Tejera and his new partner have been working together since August. Drug dogs are being used for special incidences in residence halls.

Degree focuses on Latin American architecture and expression

Bachelor of Arts in Art History

127 Hours to graduate

24

Upper division art history hours

Possible Careers:

Art Historian

Art Appraiser

Art Archivist

Art Teacher

446

Undergrad art students

2 Art history majors

so far

x5127 hours

to graduate

Upper division Art History hours

“It wasn’t that big of an explosion,” De la Rosa recalled. “We didn’t know what was going on until we heard someone yell ‘IED! IED!’ over the radio.”

It wasn’t the blast that shocked De la Rosa but the fact that it had been the � rst one he had witnessed. He looked over at his gunnery sergeant and started to send the causality report to get the injured Marines out of the area.

“I could hear myself call out each line of the report, and I knew I was doing it right,” de la Rosa said. “But there was always this feeling that I could not mess this up. If anything had been wrong, it be the di� erence between our guys getting helped or not.”

Several of the men had been injured in the downed vehicle, with one Marine later evacuated for traumatic brain injuries.

WELCOME HOMESaturday, however, was not a day to

look back at the tragedies of war for de la Rosa, McFarland and the other men in the company. � e long-simmering worries associated with a combat tour were drowned out by the sound of 100

Patriot Rider motorcycles, � re engines and police cars.

“All I could think about was how worried my mom had been while I was over there and how anxious she was,” de la Rosa said. “I knew she wouldn’t believe I was safe until she saw me.”

� e families, who had waited for hours under fall rain clouds, began pushing their way closer to the blocked o� section of Business 83 in front of the VFW Post In Donna.

A � urry of hugs, kisses and waving signs engulfed the men of Charlie Company, 1st

Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, as their seven-month deployment to Afghanistan � nally came to an end.

“It was a strange feeling,” de la Rosa later said. “I was sure I was going to wake up and be back at camp.”

McFarland, who was on the � rst of two charter busses, had only taken a few steps past the sliding doors before his wife found him, wrapped her arms around his waist and cried out into his chest.

“I was glad to be back, safe and holding her,” McFarland said. “� ere were so many emotions going through my mind.”

His son was only a few feet away,

guarded from the excited crowd by his grandmother and oblivious to the magnitude of the moment. As the couple made their way through the other family reunions, McFarland recalled feeling a rush of pride as he saw his son.

Kayla reached for the child and handed him to her husband for the � rst time. All the lost time faded away.

“Time almost stopped when I held him,” McFarland later said. “It was the greatest feeling. I felt like a father for the � rst time.”

LIFE AFTER WAR“I think this experience will motivate me

to really study and � nish my education,” de la Rosa said. “Not many people get to be a part of history like I was. I feel like I

should make this country better and keep serving.”

De la Rosa plans on � nishing o� his reservist contract but is not sure whether he wants to use his history degree to become an o� cer in the United States Marine Corps.

McFarland intends to take life a bit more slowly and enjoy time with his family more.

“He smiles at me and knows my voice,” McFarland said about his son. “I just want to make the memories I didn’t have before. I want to do everything I can to be with him.”

However, school doesn’t seem as daunting as it once did for the Marine. He explained that after going through

combat, a homework assignment would be far less stressful to him. He added that life in a war zone also made him more grateful for what he has now, and the opportunities he has now far outweigh those of the people he met while on patrol in Helmand Province.

McFarland and de la Rosa both intend to return to UTPA in the spring to continue their education and take advantage of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which pays for tuition, books, and housing.

“I realize that the people of Afghanistan don’t have the options I have,” McFarland said. “I can return home, go to school, and learn from professors who are free to teach me. � ey don’t have that.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

FIRST EMBRACE— Kayla McFarland hugs her husband tight after spotting him through the crowd of families and returning Marines gathered outside the gates of Donna VFW Post 10802.

RAIN OR SHINE—Family members waited for more than fi ve hours in the rain Saturday with homemade signs and other gifts before being reunited with their loved ones. No amount of rain could make them leave the packed parking lot.

HOMECOMING— Lance Cpl. Dylan de la Rosa speaks with family and friends after returning home. “I was sure I was going to wake up back at camp,” he later said of the homecoming.

MARINEScontinued from Page 1

NEWSOctober 6, 20114

The Pan American will cover the Occupy McAllen protest Friday starting at 6 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce. Follow the action on our Twitter, @thepanamerican.

October 6, 2011Page 5 ADVERTISEMENTS

30-50% OFF COSTUMES

10-15% OFF ACCESORIES

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STUDENTS & TEACHERS

Friday:

UTPA TailGate Party 5PM-9pm Lot F

Midnight Madness 9:30Pm Fieldhouse

Octo

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10Oc

tobe

r 11

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ber

12Oc

tobe

r 13

Octo

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Monday:

Spirit of Leadership 11aM-12:30PM SU sage

Spirit Patrol 11aM-2PM Various Locations

Bongo Ball Mania 4PM-10PM Quad

Tuesday:

Athletics Photo Meet and Greet 12PM-1pm east patio

Bronc-Up @ The Union 10AM-2pm SU Commons

Ally Training 2pM-5pm SU Sage

Bucky's Boot Scootin' Boogie 6PM-9pm UC Circle

Wednesday:

Career Services Roadshow 12PM-1pm SU commons

Bronc Zumbathon 6PM-8pm Quad

Thursday:

Spirit Rally 12Pm-1pm Quad

Student union ladies night 5Pm-7pm su commons

Volleyball Game (UTPA vs. Utah Valley) – PINK- OUT 7PM Fieldhouse

Octo

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9

Sunday:

Paint the campus green 3PM uc lobby

Saturday:

Volleyball Game (UTPA vs. North Dakota) 2PM Fieldhouse

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15

2011October 9 - 15

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONSCONTACT THE OFFICE OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AT (956) 665 - 2660.

THE PAN AMERICANTHE PAN AMERICAN October 6, 2011 October 6, 2011 Page 7Page 6

Instant Queue

Gamers Club (2011)

While it is no secret that Netfl ix has split its two services, streaming movies and DVD-by-mail, into separate businesses with different fees, one fact that may have been lost in Netfl ix CEO Reed Hastings’s Sept. 18 blog post is the fact that the company will also be offering video game rentals to the list of services.

While certain Netfl ix customers are not pleased with changes the company has recently announced, others think the video game rental will be a good addition.

“I think it’s going to be very good for the company,” UTPA Gamers Club President Daniel Salinas said. “If you just want to try it, I think it’s a good idea, see if you like it. Try it out for that one month. And if you like it, then you can purchase it.”

Salinas, who is working on his master’s degree in theatre, thinks it is a good deal for the company and consumers who enjoy video games. But its benefi ts may even extend to places that sell video games, such as GameStop. With 14 locations Valley-wide, including one along University Drive, the video game retail company has a strong presence in the area.

“If a person likes the game they might go buy it at GameStop or something,” he said. “They could work in conjunction with each other. If they don’t like it, they won’t buy it. It’s also good for the consumer. They can try the games out before they buy them. It helps both parties equally.”

While Salinas has a positive view on the matter, other members of the Gamers Club, such as Vice President Adrian Ponce, don’t think it is a good move.

“Personally, I don’t like using Netfl ix or GameFly or things like that to rent games,” the junior English major said. “To me, gaming is like a feeling. You’re either going to like it or you don’t. And I will actually go out and buy a game and if I don’t like it, I’m a true believer in buyer’s remorse. I might sell it, but then again I might not.”

Ponce, who had his fi rst Nintendo Gameboy when he was four, considers himself a “gamer.” He points out that most dedicated players prefer to

Recently Watched Movies You’ll Love Games Queue Recently Rented Games You’ll Enjoy

own games and learn them thoroughly.

“A gamer will spend time with a game and learn all of its ins and outs, everything about it,” he said. “Secrets, other passages you might be able to take, unlock-ables and things like that as opposed to a casual gamer who will just play the game for its fun value and story and either put it away or sell it right away.”

Freshman English major J.V. Requena, also a member of the Gamers Club, shares a similar view.

“I actually like to own the games,” he said. “If I have to turn it in before I beat it, it really sucks. I would rather just have the game there and I can take a break from it, but I know I have it there to beat later.”

In addition to the fact that some prefer owning games as opposed to renting them, Netfl ix also faces the issue of console availability. As of now, only Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 games are being offered for rental, even though there are many more consoles out there that dedicated gamers enjoy using. When compared to companies that offer similar video game rental services, such as GameFly, Netfl ix’s variety pales in comparison. GameFly offers more than 7,000 titles on a variety of consoles, such as PS3, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, GameCube, Nintendo DS and Gameboy Advance. They also allow users to check out two video games at a time.

“I consider myself a gamer because I have a bunch of game systems,” Ponce said. “Like Nintendo, Super Nintendo, N64, Xbox, Wii, Gameboy, Gameboy Ad-vance, Gameboy DS, I’ve been everywhere. I don’t think I’ve ever sold a game ever. And it’s hard to choose a favorite system because each one has its own game that’s special. And for everybody that’s a different game.”

While Netfl ix seems to be facing opposition from some dedicated gaming fans, to others it doesn’t affect their view of the company at all.

“It’s very similar to GameFly,” Margaret Rivera, the other VP for the Gamers Club, said. “It doesn’t really affect my opinion. For me, it’s not a big deal. I always know someone who has the game anyway.”

But Rivera, who is pursuing a master’s degree in anthropology, sees the point her fellow club members make.

“If you really love the game or the genre, you’re going to keep it,” she said. “For example, some of the Final Fantasy VII games, the original discs, are going for $100. If they own them, they don’t want to sell them.”

This is another observation that should not go unnoticed when comparing Netfl ix to GameFly. With GameFly’s unique “keep feature,” users are allowed to buy the games they rent, which could make all the difference for dedicated gamers.

Netfl ix breaks into gaming industry, Mixed reviews received concerning new gaming rental service offered by company

Writer: (screenplay)

Synopsis:

Screenshots:

Synopsis cont...

Motion Picture Rating ( )Rated PG-13 Parents Guide:

Runtime: 133 minSound Mix: DTS ( )Color: ColorAspect Ratio: 1.85 : 1

Susan Gonzalez

as Datasat Digital Sound MPAA)MPAA)See all certifi cations »

View content advisory »

THE PAN AMERICANTHE PAN AMERICAN October 6, 2011 October 6, 2011 Page 7Page 6

Instant Queue

Gamers Club (2011)

While it is no secret that Netfl ix has split its two services, streaming movies and DVD-by-mail, into separate businesses with different fees, one fact that may have been lost in Netfl ix CEO Reed Hastings’s Sept. 18 blog post is the fact that the company will also be offering video game rentals to the list of services.

While certain Netfl ix customers are not pleased with changes the company has recently announced, others think the video game rental will be a good addition.

“I think it’s going to be very good for the company,” UTPA Gamers Club President Daniel Salinas said. “If you just want to try it, I think it’s a good idea, see if you like it. Try it out for that one month. And if you like it, then you can purchase it.”

Salinas, who is working on his master’s degree in theatre, thinks it is a good deal for the company and consumers who enjoy video games. But its benefi ts may even extend to places that sell video games, such as GameStop. With 14 locations Valley-wide, including one along University Drive, the video game retail company has a strong presence in the area.

“If a person likes the game they might go buy it at GameStop or something,” he said. “They could work in conjunction with each other. If they don’t like it, they won’t buy it. It’s also good for the consumer. They can try the games out before they buy them. It helps both parties equally.”

While Salinas has a positive view on the matter, other members of the Gamers Club, such as Vice President Adrian Ponce, don’t think it is a good move.

“Personally, I don’t like using Netfl ix or GameFly or things like that to rent games,” the junior English major said. “To me, gaming is like a feeling. You’re either going to like it or you don’t. And I will actually go out and buy a game and if I don’t like it, I’m a true believer in buyer’s remorse. I might sell it, but then again I might not.”

Ponce, who had his fi rst Nintendo Gameboy when he was four, considers himself a “gamer.” He points out that most dedicated players prefer to

Recently Watched Movies You’ll Love Games Queue Recently Rented Games You’ll Enjoy

own games and learn them thoroughly.

“A gamer will spend time with a game and learn all of its ins and outs, everything about it,” he said. “Secrets, other passages you might be able to take, unlock-ables and things like that as opposed to a casual gamer who will just play the game for its fun value and story and either put it away or sell it right away.”

Freshman English major J.V. Requena, also a member of the Gamers Club, shares a similar view.

“I actually like to own the games,” he said. “If I have to turn it in before I beat it, it really sucks. I would rather just have the game there and I can take a break from it, but I know I have it there to beat later.”

In addition to the fact that some prefer owning games as opposed to renting them, Netfl ix also faces the issue of console availability. As of now, only Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 games are being offered for rental, even though there are many more consoles out there that dedicated gamers enjoy using. When compared to companies that offer similar video game rental services, such as GameFly, Netfl ix’s variety pales in comparison. GameFly offers more than 7,000 titles on a variety of consoles, such as PS3, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, GameCube, Nintendo DS and Gameboy Advance. They also allow users to check out two video games at a time.

“I consider myself a gamer because I have a bunch of game systems,” Ponce said. “Like Nintendo, Super Nintendo, N64, Xbox, Wii, Gameboy, Gameboy Ad-vance, Gameboy DS, I’ve been everywhere. I don’t think I’ve ever sold a game ever. And it’s hard to choose a favorite system because each one has its own game that’s special. And for everybody that’s a different game.”

While Netfl ix seems to be facing opposition from some dedicated gaming fans, to others it doesn’t affect their view of the company at all.

“It’s very similar to GameFly,” Margaret Rivera, the other VP for the Gamers Club, said. “It doesn’t really affect my opinion. For me, it’s not a big deal. I always know someone who has the game anyway.”

But Rivera, who is pursuing a master’s degree in anthropology, sees the point her fellow club members make.

“If you really love the game or the genre, you’re going to keep it,” she said. “For example, some of the Final Fantasy VII games, the original discs, are going for $100. If they own them, they don’t want to sell them.”

This is another observation that should not go unnoticed when comparing Netfl ix to GameFly. With GameFly’s unique “keep feature,” users are allowed to buy the games they rent, which could make all the difference for dedicated gamers.

Netfl ix breaks into gaming industry, Mixed reviews received concerning new gaming rental service offered by company

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Abdelhamid Riani always dreamed of attending a university in the United States, even though a college education is free in his home country of Tunisia.

He was recruited by � e University of Texas-Pan American his freshman year to play tennis. Living nearly 6,000 miles away from family was hard at � rst. He wished he could visit more often, but � ight fares have limited him to only two visits in the past three years. And one of them could have stopped him from coming back to campus.

“I always wanted to leave home,” Riani said. “To take that responsibility and build my career, but as soon as I left, I wanted to go back. I’ve got to make my country and family proud. I have a new philosophy on life.”

Riani felt fortunate to be able to visit home last December. He was aware of the troubles stirring in Tunisia - the North African country borders Algeria, Libya and the Mediterranean Sea - but was not prepared for what was going to break out.

Protests erupted and spread throughout Tunisia, caused by unemployment and lingering political restrictions. � e furor soon sparked in

other countries, such as Libya, Egypt, Syria, Bahrain and Yemen, causing the Arab Spring.

According to most media outlets, citizens felt humiliated by their own government due to corruption, abuse of power and police brutality among other problems. During the daily presidential addresses, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, commonly known as Ben Ali, tried reassuring the citizens, but they saw things di� erently, thinking he had taken advantage of them. People made use of technology and social media to spread the news.

“Facebook was the � rst source of information for us,” Riani said. “We knew everything through Facebook.”

� e outbreak of protests was not out of left � eld, as it may have seemed outside the region. � e Tunisian government didn’t want information to leak, but the citizens got so fed up that they decided to post writing, video and photos online.

“It all started with the guy burning himself, and people from his city could not stand that. � ey lashed out. � ey didn’t care anymore. � ey weren’t scared anymore,” said Riani, recalling the now famous self-immolation of a merchant on December 17, 2010 after his wares were con� scated. “� ey were

like, ‘You know what, man? If you want to kill us, kill all of us. We can’t handle this sh*t anymore.’”

Riani recalls people marching down the streets, raiding, breaking cars and burning houses in his hometown of Sousse. Gunshots could be heard in the streets.

“Luckily it was never really close to our house,” Riani said. “But you could hear people shooting. � at was scary.”

Riani had booked a return � ight for Jan. 14, but all international � ights were halted when President Ben Ali left the country. Riani tried rebooking his � ight for the next day, but the president was still missing, and no � ights were allowed out. Fortunately, Riani was able to get passage two days before school started back in the States. � e travel lasted a day and a half, and he arrived the day before school started Jan. 18.

“I was so lucky,” Riani said. “I had to sleep at the airport.”

Although Riani feels his family lives in a safe place, he still worries about them. He thanks the guy who invented Skype because it makes it much easier to not only talk to them, but see them.

Riani plans on graduating with a bachelor’s degree in � nance next December before continuing with his

master’s. He hopes one day to return to Tunisia, regardless of the recent problems the country has faced.

“Today the country is obviously so much better without the ruling of a dictator. However, security is not back yet,” Riani said. “We are looking forward to building a good relationship with the new government after the elections next month.”

Two days before the lights of the Albert L. Je� ers � eatre were to dim on the opening scene of “King Lear,” the backstage costume shop was alive with the hum of sewing machines and chatter of crew members.

Hands busily ironed out creases in fabric and rhythmically sewed jewels into place.

“All the blood came out really well,” said wardrobe head Kate Dirrigl, examining an orange costume.

While audience members took in the Shakespearean tragedy during University

October 6, 20118

PICKSOF THE WEEK

ICKSOF THE WEEKSpeaker

Theater

Music

Action

Speaker

Music

Theater

The Edinburg Dance Theatre will perform “Peter and the Wolf” at the UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium on Friday at 6 p.m. Admission is $8 or free with UTPA ID.

The Department of Music will host pianist Koji Attwood at his fi rst South Texas performance in the Fine Arts Auditorium Tuesday. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and is free of charge.

Protestors with Occupy McAllen will march Oct. 6 from McAllen Chamber of Commerce to Archer Park at 6 p.m. Demonstrators will meet at the starting point at 5:30 p.m. Follow #OccupyMcAllen

UTPA Art Department will host a panel Tuesday with Costa Rican performance artists Elia Arce and Belgian artist Mark Cloet at 6 p.m. in the UTPA Fine Arts Building C, Room 103. The event is free.

By Nadia Tamez-RobledoThe Pan American

DUKE OF DRAMA - Senior Charlie Palacios applies his stage make-up to become the Duke of Cornwall before a dress rehearsal at Albert L. Jeffers Theater. The production of “King Lear” will run through Sunday.

Before the curtain falls

SEE LEAR || PAGE 9

Remembering RevolutionBy Norma GonzalezThe Pan American

Student recalls turmoil at home

Reynaldo Leal/THE PAN AMERICAN

Stories You Haven’t Heard

Read “Stories You Haven’t Heard” online every Tuesday.

PRIMARY WITNESS - Senior Abdel Riani lived through the beginning of the “Arab Spring” in Tunisia last year. The uprising in his home country triggered similar revolutions throughout the Middle East.

Behind the scenes of

“King Lear”

Norma Gonzalez/THE PAN AMERICAN

Remaining show times for King Lear:Oct. 6 through Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre andOct. 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 general admission and free with UTPA ID.

� eatre Productions’ � rst performance of the semester last night, preparation during rehearsals and live shows began about two hours before spectators set foot in the theater for the cast and crew.

“In productions like this, it’s takes a whole array to put it together,” said theatre major and “King Lear” stage manager Roque Vera. “When we put on live shows, it almost uni� es the entire theatre area.”

For Dirrigl and the costume crew, that means being on hand to take care of any wardrobe malfunctions that happen to the 27 actors during the play’s run, problems that can range from broken zippers to di� cult stains left behind by stage blood.

“� ere’s a lot that can go wrong in a little amount of time,” the 19-year-old said, mentioning a closure that fell o� an actress’ dress during a rehearsal. “Goneril almost gave the audience a free show.”

Vera said the University’s production of “King Lear” turns away from pu� y-sleeved Elizabethan adaptations in favor of costumes and props that are more true to the era in which the play is set. � at also means that audiences won’t see armored knights or even envelopes.

“You don’t want big, poofy costumes when they didn’t exist in pre-Christian Britain,” he said. “Every detail is crucial to making the play work like the director wants.”

As wardrobe head, Dirrigl must ensure that every out� t goes on the right actor during each costume change.

“Once a show goes up, it’s really out of the designer’s and director’s control and into the crew’s,” she said.

WORK TO DOIn the sawdust-scented air of the wood shop

behind the stage, senior Eric Sanchez cleaned up and prepared to head home Monday after a day of working on the set.

“It’s pretty much from scratch,” he said about building the stage. “Now, [we’re] painting, little things here and there. We’re making sure the platform is all nice and neat.”

� e Mission resident said the shop crew would be around to make any repairs to the set needed during the week, but the real work will begin again after “King Lear” wraps up on Sunday.

“Once they’re done with the production, that’s

when we strike,” he said. “We take down in a day what it took us weeks to do.”

� ough Sanchez only became an o� cial member of the theatre team last week, the TV/� lm major has been helping construct the set since crew members began their work in August.

“I don’t really consider it a job,” said Sanchez, a former video game store employee who has been vying for a work-study position with the theater shop for about six months. “I quit my other job to be here, so that says a lot.”

With about an hour and a half before Monday rehearsal’s curtain call, Dirrigl had walked into the main dressing room across the hall.

“Luis, you already know that you need more old age, right?” she asked 22-year-old Luis Moreno.

Moreno attempted to add 18 years to his face for a role as the Earl of Kent. Space in front of a wall-length mirror became scarce as a cadre of actors applied eyeliner and foundation before their run-through.

“To do it right, it almost takes close to thirty minutes,” he said while painting black lines along the contours of his cheeks. “It’s pretty strenuous work considering I’m not very good at makeup.”

� e junior theatre major began preparing for his role upon being cast in May.

“You’re pretty much entering a whole new world,” he explained. “I just hope to put on a good story. It’s a lot of work, patience, perseverance, and you need a lot of love for it.”

Vera said there is always a chance something could go awry, he has learned to think on his toes.

“It just happens, but that’s the beauty of live theater,” he stressed. “I think the most important thing is to realize that it takes everybody doing their job to put on this show.”

October 6, 2011 9LEARcontinued from Page 8

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DISHONORED - Junior Xavier Aguilar, a communication studies major, plays the role of Edmund. His character is Gloucester’s illegitimate son.

FADING OUT - (L-R) Gloucester, is blinded by Reagan, daughter of Lear, in UTPA’s production of King Lear. Gloucester is played by philosophy professor Thomas Pearson and Reagan is played by Summer Flowers.

Tammy Ayala/THE PAN AMERICAN

Tammy Ayala/THE PAN AMERICAN

October 6, 201110

Aunque por el momento no se han categorizados como una organización, varios adultos se han unido para poder informar e ilustrar las dificultades en la historia Latino Americana por medio de un documental.

Algunos de los organizadores son estudiantes de la Universidad de Texas Pan-Americana, otros son del campus vecino South Texas College y unos simplemente no asisten a la escuela. Sin embargo, por mientras ellos se denominan por el nombre ‘Hijos de Ahuizote.’

Al inicio del mes de octubre, se dio la oportunidad de presentar un documental sobre las matanzas estudiantiles que se tomo cabo en Tlatelolco durante el año de 1968. Sin embargo, como estos estudiantes no son parte de UTPA, no pudieron anunciar el evento como se merecía.

“Nuestra meta es presentar

estas temas a la gente por parte de arte y películas,” dijo Pedro Rodríguez, estudiante especializado en antropología. “La gente de descendencia Mexicana tiene que darse cuenta que son conectados a estas peleas.”

Uno de los motivos por el cual no hubo muchos asistentes a este evento fue por causa de publicidad, ya que los organizadores no son estudiantes de esta universidad. Pero los pocos que si asistieron estuvieron muy agradecidos por la oportunidad de ver este material histórico.

“Es un gran servicio tener eventos especiales como este,” dijo Gary Mounce, profesor de Política Latino Americana. También mencionó que el evento se convirtió en algo muy casual en donde todos comentaron sobres las películas presentadas.

El movimiento estudiantil involucró estudiantes de la universidad, profesores, amas de casa y muchos mas de la comunidad.

La gente solo quería mas democracia y libertades, pero el gobierno no quería la posibilidad de que ruinen las olimpiadas. Las películas eran un cojunto de fotografías y videos de ese día. Tomaron el punto de vista de gente que sobrevivió y diferentes entrevistas de testigos.

El evento de Tlatelolco abrió las puertas de un movimiento democrático en México, que fue olvidado.

“Hoy en día no sabemos a quién culpar, solo podemos culpar al presidente,” mencionó Héctor Guzmán, quien es estudiante especializando en matemáticas. “Los cuerpos desparecieron el próximo día, diez días después las olimpiadas empezaron como si no hubiera pasado nada.”

Los Hijos de Ahuizote esperan continuar con eventos como este y crecer en popularidad, teniendo en meta darle voz a eventos que no se han dado a luz tal como “La Matanza Estudiantil.”

No se olvida

Por Norma GonzalezThe Pan American

Francisco Rodriguez/The Pan american

Mientras sus primos jugaban, ella observaba sus tíos cantar soñando con un día hacerlo profesionalmente. Fue en reuniones familiares en donde Anna Tiradose inició en el canto y así, desde muy pequeña, comenzó con hacer su sueño realidad.

Anna Karen Tirado Torres nació en la ciudad de San Antonio, Texas. Al poco tiempo se mudaron a la ciudad de Reynosa, Tamaulipas, en donde tuvo sus primeros años de crianza.

Por buscar un mejor futuro para la familia, el padre de Anna tomo la decisión de mudar la familia al Valle de Texas, y emprender una nueva vida en los Estados Unidos.

Es aquí en donde Anna descubrió su pasión hacia el canto, iniciando el camino de conquistar sus sueños. No fue hasta los 10 años de edad que ella comenzó con el género regional Mexicano.

Por ello llego a ser parte del mariachi “Nueva Era” de la preparatoria Valley View. Atreves del grupo musical conoció su primer triunfo: ganaron el primer lugar a nivel nacional.

La música es algo que Tirado lleva en la sangre, es su máxima forma de expresión, comenta la joven cantante. Ha tocado el violín desde los 11 años y participado en concursos a nivel nacional.

Determinación y constancia, informa Tirado, han sido las herramientas que ha usado a su favor.

Participó dos veces en un programa conducido por Marcos Valdes para la cadena Univisión. La primera vez no gano, pero la segunda vez obtuvo el primer lugar, en donde demostró su persistencia.

A igual manera, a principios del 2011 Anna recibió la oportunidad de representar el Valle de Texas en la ciudad de Los Ángeles, California, participando en el programa “Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento.”

El programa fue conducido por la actriz Liliana Arriaga, “La Chupitos,” y por un grupo de jueces formado por conocidas personalidades del medio del espectáculo. Estos reconocidos personalidades fueron constituidas por Héctor Suárez, actor, Pepe Garza, locutor y productor, y Paty Manterola, ex integrante del grupo Garibaldi.

Al interpretar la nota musical “Sin El,” de Marisela, Anna recibió aplausos y una ovación por parte del público. Las críticas recalcaron como ella hizo la canción suya al crear su propia versión.

“(Me gustó) la forma en cómo cantaste el tema, muy a tu estilo. Es difícil salirse de la versión de Marisela, que es tan escuchada,” informó Tirado, sobre las palabras dichas por parte de Garza. “Han venido muchas muchachas a cantar ese mismo tema aquí y desafortunadamente no han podido lograr su propia versión. Tu lo hiciste. Te felicito.”

El apoyo de su familia y las ganas de seguir luchando cada día por su sueño han llevado Tirado a representar el Valle de Texas, llegando a pisar grandes escenarios.

Anna actualmente cursa su tercer año en la Universidad de Texas-Pan American y estudia la carrera de teatro. Le gusta el canto y la actuación, además forma parte del coro de la iglesia de San Juan.

Al preguntarle qué es lo que más le gusta del teatro Tirado respondió- “Todas las emociones trasmitidas a la gente, las historias detrás. Todo lo que envuelve la televisión es algo fascinante. Es un gran arte y una manera de llegar a la gente.”

Sin duda alguna Tirado es un ejemplo a seguir.

“En la vida uno se va a topar con desilusiones, al igual que grandes cosas,” Tirado dijo. “Pero no se den por vencidos, y si se caen aprendan a levantarse y cuando se levanten lo hagan con mas fuerzas. Los sueños si se cumplen. Querer es poder.”

Por Maria Victoria Alanis The Pan American

“Los sueños si se cumplen”Jóvenes se unen para

concienciar de la Matanza Estudiantil

Reynaldo Leal/The Pan american

La CaNtaNte - Ana Tirado continÚa luchar por sus sueños de ser cantante. Al momento sigue sus estudios en teatro en la Universidad de Texas - Pan American.

Anna Tirado, el comienzo de una estrella

October 6, 2011 11

The UTPA women’s volleyball team arrived home from their three-game road trip Tuesday at 5 a.m.

Neither arriving in the early hours of the day nor the frequent road trips has affected the Broncs.

This three-game road swing was different, though, because it was the first non-tournament trip.

The Broncs split Great West Con-ference matches, winning 3-2 at Chi-cago State and dropping a 3-0 contest to NJIT. UTPA reeled off a non-conference 3-2 victory at Prairie View A&M to complete the trip.

After the team has played 16 of 19 games this season on the road, head coach Brian Yale is just glad his girls get to enjoy a little bit of a home stay for once.

“The wins have definitely helped our confidence. The road trip was tough, but it’ll be nice to be home for a couple of games,” Yale said. “(Being home) is definitely a huge plus for us

right now.”The Broncs (1-1, 5-14) play

their next six contests at the Field House, starting with the Houston Baptist Huskies on Saturday at 2 p.m. and ending with New Mexico Oct. 23. Three of those matches are GWC games, and the rest are non-conference play.

The Huskies are 14-5 on the sea-son and 2-0 in the GWC, presenting a bigger task for the Broncs since they swept UTPA last season.

“It’ll be a challenge,” Yale said. “They’re 2-0 (in the conference), and they beat NJIT, who we lost to. We got our challenges ahead, so getting one win (on the road trip) was good for us.”

The Broncs enter the game against the Huskies having taken four of their last five matches, and both wins dur-ing the recent road trip came in five sets, so it’s safe to say the women have a positive streak going.

In the match against the Prairie View A&M Panthers, UTPA, down 0-2, forced a fifth set which it won

15-7 to take the game 3-2. The women have also learned the valu-able lesson of playing away from the Field House.

“We were in some hostile gyms and getting called names, there were some atmospheres that it took the girls a little bit of time to get ad-justed,” Yale said about playing on the road. “But it was nice to see them rally together and finish.”

They have also received great contribution from some key play-ers, which should help against the Huskies.

Statistically Ijanae Holman leads the Broncs with an average kills per set of 2.46. Juri Franzen is tops with 3.98 digs per set, and Shauna Miller averages 7.48 assists per set so far.

“(Holman) is taking on a bigger load this year than in the past, and has shown a lot of toughness,” Yale said. “Franzen, being a newcomer, has been learning the ropes of be-ing a libero and with a new team. Miller is just a freshman, and she is working hard to learn the system

UTPA will host its Women’s Athletics Fundraiser Gala on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Shary Mansion in Mission. The event theme is “Black Tie and Tennies” and is an attempt to promote women’s athletics while at the same time raising funds for scholarships.

“The main thing is trying to raise funds for the women’s scholarships and to bring community leaders back on campus for support,” Athletic Director Chris King said. “In this occasion, all the funds that are raised

will be going directly to women’s scholarships.”

Guests are encouraged to wear formal attire along with a favorite pair of tennis shoes. The event will feature live music, a fashion show in which the women’s basketball team will showcase their new Nike uniforms, and both live and silent auctions. The mistress of ceremonies will be Channel 5 News anchor Letty Garza.

The University held this event a few years back but eventually broke off with all the new faces joining the athletics department.

“There was success with this event a number of years ago, but once I arrived here, things fell apart,” King said. “We want strong female community leaders to attend so they can mentor our female athletes as well.”

A few of the items to be auctioned include an AT&T Cotton Bowl

Classic gift certificate for two, an opportunity to travel with the men’s basketball team in November, four Houston Rockets game tickets plus hotel accommodations, and two San Antonio Spurs basketball tickets. There are over 60 items to be auctioned off at the event, which carries a $50 admission. There will be lots of festivities, but the athletic department wants to make it clear that through all the lights and glamour, it’s still about the athletes.

“The Women’s Athletic Fundraiser is an event to get exposure for our seven women’s athletics in which only two of them currently have locker rooms,” said Chelsea Blakely, director of corporate sponsorships and ticket sales and a former Bronc volleyball standout. “We want a better experience for our athletes and part of that is having better facilities

for them. I played volleyball here, so I know what it is to be an athlete here at UTPA.”

Women’s athletics currently has close to 100 female student-athletes that compete for the Broncs throughout the year, and the department plans to fully fund as many as possible, as allowed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

UTPA has many other fundraising programs implemented and scheduled for later this year.

“All of our fundraisers go to the entire department, such as the BAIT fishing tournament and the second annual Pull for Broncs Baseball skeet shoot baseball fundraiser scheduled for Oct. 15,” King said. “There will be a few others throughout the year as well, but we wanted to do something special for the women.”

Women’s Athletic Fundraiser to take place Saturday

Volleyball begins long homestand

By Alex E. Peña The Pan American

By Michael Saenz The Pan American

Practice makes Perfect - Freshman Michelle McNamee works on her serve during Wednesday’s practice. The Broncs will play their next home game Saturday against Houston Baptist at 2 p.m.

cOrdially invited - The Women’s Athletics Fundraiser will take place Saturday, Oct. 8 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Shary Mansion in Mission. Tickets are $50.

UTPA hosts Houston Baptist this weekend

Norma Gonzalez/The Pan american

courTesy of The aThleTic DeParTmenT

Formal wear for fitness

THE PAN AMERICAN October 6, 2011Page 12