Cherie Hodges believes in thepower of focusing attention on children,thinking that when given the rightamount of attention and care, childrenhave no limits to what they canaccomplish. That is why the self -described “community liaison” is tryingto bring the organization BigBrothers/Big Sisters, which pairs aneedy child with a “big brother” or “bigsister” as a mentor, down to the RioGrande Valley.
“There is an extreme need here inthe Valley. We have the highest rate ofteen pregnancy, drugs and alcohol abuseand this is one of the poorest areas in thecountry,” Hodges, a McAllen resident,said. “By helping this organization andbuilding it in the area, it is a way ofgiving back to the community”
Hodges came to the Valley fromMidland where she saw the success of thementoring group. After wondering whythe Valley didn’t have a local branch, sherealized that if she wanted something tobe done, she had to do it herself.
“When I came here, I found out thatthere was not an organization,” she said.“I’m trying to bring it here because Iknow it would help to improve the area.”
Big Brothers/Big Sisters has beenworking for more than 100 years. It isone of the Top 10 charities according to
Forbes magazine.The program is for kids 18 and
under who are in families with a singleparent, come from a low social-economic status, or need more focusedattention.
There are two formats to theprogram. One is school-based where thebig brother or sister visits the child’sschool for an hour a week. The other iscommunity-based.
“I personally prefer thecommunity-based, because you havemore opportunities with your child andmaybe have more fun,” Hodges said. “Itis not necessary to spend a lot of money.Just time to have fun.”
MOVING FORWARDA local organization has to receive
a lot of support from contributors. Thelargest concern is funding, and afinancial goal of $150,000 has beenestablished to get this project started.
Hodges and her border directorhave met on several occasions to discusssuch issues. During the summer, theywill hold “Jean Day,” where employeesof participating health systems areallowed to wear jeans on a designatedday as long as they contribute $2 to achosen charity like Big Brothers/BigSisters.
She believes that there are a lot ofresources out there to contribute to this
PAN AMERICANTHE
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 Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n J u n e 1 5 , 2 0 0 6
See BRANCH page 3
National organizationhopes for local branch
Conference addresses plight of uninsured population
THINK TANK - Raul Yzaguirre (left) leads a panel which included Dr. JohnLumpkin (center) and U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes (right) at UTPA May 22.
Luke Koong/The Pan American
By CAROLINA SANCHEZThe Pan American
HONORING - The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall arrives to the Valley at the end of this month for public viewing. Thewall is a smaller version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
www.utm.edu/staf/leeb/Vietnam/wall.htm
For many people without healthinsurance, a simple ailment like the flucould spell death. At best, weeks ofdistress.
The plight of the uninsured in thenation is being felt, especially by theHispanic population. Of the 45.8million individuals without healthcoverage, nearly 14 million areHispanic.
Last month, experts who have longresearched the uninsured congregated atThe University of Texas-Pan Americanto host the National Uninsured LatinosConference and address the growingneed for healthcare reform.
“It’s time we’re no longer, in thiscountry, silent about the millions ofAmericans who are suffering because ofuninsurance,” Roland Arriola, vicepresident of External Affairs, said at theconference.
“We’re not going to acquiesce
anymore to the apathy that we seearound us on this issue,” he added.
MORE EQUALS LESSClose to 18,000 people are dying
each day due to a lack of healthcoverage.
In the United States, more moneyis spent on healthcare on a per capitabasis than any other country in theworld. However, spending all thatmoney has not yet produced equivalent
By LUKE KOONGThe Pan American
See UNINSURED page 4
Jorge Gonzalez remembers thenames of all his friends who lost theirlives in the Vietnam War. When theDignity Memorial Vietnam Wall opensfor public viewing on June 30, he doesnot know how he will react to seeingthose names again.
“I can not tell you that I’m lookingforward to seeing their names, but in away I’m looking forward to seeing theirnames,” Gonzalez, volunteercoordinator for the event, said. “I’m
apprehensive about how I’m going toreact.”
However, Gonzalez said he knowshe is not the only Veteran feelinganxious about the event, but insists itwill be a good experience.
“They are going to benefit fromthis. The entire community will benefitfrom this,” he said. “We need somethinglike this to happen to us here in theValley.”
Getting the wall to the Valley hasbeen no easy feat. The process startedabout two years ago, when DignityMemorial, a company who owns 1400
funeral homes and cemeteries across theU.S., first submitted an application onbehalf of the Valley.
According to Charlie Minjares,Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall venueleader, though they were accepted thefirst time, certain events caused them tocancel the stop in the Valley. However,they applied again last year and wereonce again accepted.
“It had never been done herebefore so I figured what better way topay tribute than to post one here,”Minjares, who managed the wall when
By SANDRA GONZALEZThe Pan American
See WALL page 4
UTPA receives $46million for con-struction, expan-sion of facilities
Dodge Arena preparesfor Rob Thomas,Jewel June 25
SSeeee ppaaggee 88
Complete coverageof 2006 World Cupin Germany
SSeeee ppaaggee 55SSeeee ppaaggee 33
A&ENews Sports
1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539
(956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122
http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican
55th Year – No. 29
The PANAMERICAN isthe official 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 orgratuitous personalattacks. Letters areprinted at thediscretion of theeditor and mustinclude the writer’sname, class/titleand phone number.
Letters policy
June 15 2006
PAGE 2
THE
PAN AMERICAN
News EditorSandra Gonzalezsandra_panamerican
@yahoo.com
A & E EditorMeredith LaGrone
Sports EditorDaryl Gonzales
Graphics EditorFranco CaballeroFranco.Caballero
@gmail.com
Photography EditorOnydia Garza
DesignersRoy Bazan
Laura C. [email protected]
Advertising Mgr.Rafael [email protected]
Reporters
Frank Calvillo
Javier Cavazos
Roderick Dorsey
Adriana Garza
Luke Koong
Krystina Mancias
Fernando Martinez Pechs
Carolina Sanchez
Trey Serna
PhotographerJoey Cortez
AdviserDr. Greg Selber
SecretaryAnita Casares
DeliveryWilliam Watts
Thursday at Noon
IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF
THE PAN AMERICANWho will it be?Read coverage of the visits from candidates forprovost/vice president for academic affairs andcomments from the campus community.
Javeria Farooqi,junior advertising major
Destination: San Franscico
Statues grace the columns outside of theExploratorium, a science, art and human perceptionsmuseum located close to the Golden Gate Bridge andwithin the Palace of Fine Arts. The museum wasopened by Dr. Frank Oppenheimer in 1969.
Located to the right is a view from the Japanese TeaGarden located in Golden Gate Park. It was firstdeveloped in 1894 as part of the California MidwinterInternational Exposition and is the oldest publicJapanese garden in the United States.
Available June 29
SUMMER T h e P a n A m e r i c a n
R E A D E R F O R U M
Celebrity authorsFind out why big-name stars have tried their handat writing literary works and why results havebeen surprising.
Cartoon
Students, faculty and staff:Summertime is here and The Pan American wants to know what you are doing all
summer. Whether you’ve traveled to far-off destinations or stayed at home drawing, wewant to know all about it. Please e-mail any poem, short story, travel photos, art work, orcartoon to [email protected]. Your submission could end up in the nextsummer edition of the paper.
-The Pan American summer staff
When Javier Rolando Garza first heard about
the mini-term being offered at The University of
Texas-Pan American, he saw an opportunity.
”I think it’s pretty good because, of course,
because of the hours; because you get that quick
hour,” said Garza, who took College Algebra during
the mini-term. “It’s not too bad if you take one class.
You just have to dedicate yourself to that one class
versus a few classes during the semester.”
Garza, a sophomore currently enrolled in the
cooperative pharmacy program, plans to attend the
University of Texas-Austin said that if he were still
here, he wouldn’t mind taking another mini-term
course to get ahead.
The UTPA mini-term, in existence for three
years, took place from May 15-June 2. Though it
unfolds in a condensed time, Dennis McMillan, asso-
ciate vice president for enrollment and student servic-
es, said these classes are no shortcut.
“It’s the same amount of instruction that you
receive in a fall semester and a spring
semester, but it’s all condensed down to 2 1/2 to 3
weeks,” McMillan said. “It’s pretty
intense so it takes a student that’s willing to put in a
lot of work in a short period of time
in order to earn credit for one class.”
The courses are so rigorous, in fact, that students
are only allowed to take one per term.
While the last enrollment report, taken on May
17, stated that 472 students were enrolled in the mini-
term, this number is a bit less than what was expect-
ed. This year, the mini-term originally offered 28
classes but eight were cancelled due to low enroll-
ment.
McMillan pointed out that the mini-term classes
were initiated to give students a unique
opportunity. With UTPA students graduating on aver-
age within five to seven years, he and other adminis-
trators want to improve these rates and help students
graduate more efficiently with the help of initiatives
like the mini-term.
“We wanted our students to have another oppor-
tunity to earn credit and make progress toward their
degree,” McMillan said.
However, mini-terms present a unique challenge
to professors who teach them. In regular length
semesters, teachers use weeks as timelines for the
next subject. In the mini-term, they’re forced to use
days. However, Fuat Firat, a professor of management
marketing and international business, said he has
some ways to compensate for the loss of time without
compromising his lesson.
Firat, who taught Principles of Marketing during
the mini-term, said that you have to choose projects
that are doable in the short time available.
“It’s very difficult to do, but you want them to
have the same learning experience that they would in
a regular semester,” he said.
Guo believes the mini-term is an interesting
concept and provides students with a chance to get
ahead.
For many music majors at The University of
Texas-Pan American the hardest part of completing
their homework is trying to find a place to practice.
Students in the music department often have to
search for any secluded area to hone their skills
because of a severe lack of facilities on campus.
“We have students practicing outside, battling
heat and bugs or in the lobby of the Fine Arts
Auditorium because there is such a shortage of prac-
tice rooms here on campus,” said Dahlia Guerra,
chair of the department.
However, finding a place to rehearse may not
be a problem for much longer. With the university
receiving $46 million for a new fine arts complex on
the main campus, and the expansion of UTPA’s Starr
County campus, the lack of space will be addressed.
The projects are part of nearly $2 billion secured for
state universities and colleges with Tuition Revenue
Bonds or TRBs.
“We are really excited about the new facilities
we’ll be getting and what it means for the campus
and the community too,” Guerra said.
Legislation passed by the Texas Senate in May
will give the university a fine arts center able to seat
anywhere from 4,500 to 7,000 people for a variety
of events from athletic competitions to concerts and
guest speakers. Importantly, the new complex will
also contain practice rooms and classrooms for the
growing campus.
“We really felt the need to push for these funds
because the university is growing, and this space is
needed to encourage growth as well as benefit the
community by attracting cultural events,” state Sen.
Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, a member of the Senate
finance committee, said.
The science and business colleges had also
requested funding but were not included in the leg-
islation. According to Hinojosa, he had a difficult
time picking which requests were most vital to
lobby for.
“Since I was given the opportunity to make
sure UTPA would receive these funds - which we’ve
been wanting for years - I decided it was best to
secure the funding for the largest portion which was
for the events center,” explained Hinojosa.
Now that the money has been secured,
Hinojosa said the university will benefit from the
effort.
“If we want to compete with other first-class
universities in the state and nation and put UTPA on
the map, we need more facilities like this. Education
is the great equalizer and necessary for the success
of the region,” he said.
The senator added that while some legislators
feel TRBs are a bad idea because they borrow
money on state credit, they really are a misnomer
since the money isn’t repaid directly from tuition.
Tuition is simply used as security for repayment of
the loan.
“The idea of borrowing on credit is never
ideal, but these TRBs don’t raise tuition rates,” state
Rep. Veronica Gonzales said. “Anything that
lessens the burden on college students or encour-
ages new students to attend college is definitely
important and worthy of borrowing money for sup-
port.”
Along with funding UTPA’s fine arts complex,
the project will also benefit the Starr County campus
expansion with $6 million going toward the con-
struction of classrooms at the Rio Grande City site.
“Sen. Judith Zaffirini, who is in charge of the
TRB committee, was very committed to getting the
money for the Starr county campus,” Hinojosa said.
“The multi-purpose events center was the costliest
project at UTPA, so it was better to secure those
funds first. The other monies can be appropriated
during following sessions.”
Gonzales added that the expansion in Starr
County is critical in encouraging new students to
attend college since it provides facilities nearer to
those who would otherwise have to commute or find
housing closer to campus.
“Sen. Hinojosa did a great job on the finance
committee securing these funds and I believe the
TRBs are a good idea and would support future
projects for any monetary needs at UTPA,” said
Gonzales.
The nearly $40 million for the complex has
generated plenty of excitement throughout the
College of Arts and Humanities.
“We’ve needed these funds and the center for
a long time and are really glad to finally be receiv-
ing them,” Wallace Tucker, interim dean of the col-
lege, said. “This expansion will benefit UTPA and
the city of Edinburg.”
The multi-purpose events center could be used
to house not only university-sponsored events, but
private events like touring companies for dance and
theatre, and concerts as well. Over time the center
may even be able to attract big-name artists much
like the Dodge Arena in nearby Hidalgo.
The University of Texas-Brownsville campus
is also getting a piece of the funding $33.8 million
for a 136,000-square-foot Science and Technology
Learning Center classroom building.
By JAVIER CAVAZOSThe Pan American
Summer mini-term closes amid mixed reviews
UTPA granted funds for new construction
PLACE TO BELONG - Isabel Martinez, a soph-omore music major, plays her saxaphone out-side the practice rooms due to lack of space.
Onydia Garza/The Pan American
By ADRIANA GARZAThe Pan American
BRANCH kind of cause, but she needs help to find and obtain
them.
“It is very important to get help from all the
people we can,” she said. “I am looking for
influential people who want to participate with us,
so they can guide other people to help.”
Hodges would like to target The University of
Texas-Pan American to help get the program started.
“After we have enough money and we are
ready to go, I will start recruiting students and
faculty that would like to help,” Hodges said.
She is optimistic that this project will become
a reality.
“I’m very confident that we are going to bring
this organization to the Valley. People in the Valley
have big hearts and are always willing to help and
serve,” Hodges said. “It is just a matter of informing
them about this program so they can get involved.”
Anyone 19 years or older who has been a
Hidalgo County resident for more than a year can
help out. However, volunteers must undergo a strict
application process that includes a physical and
psychological test, criminal background check, and
a series of interviews, to ensure the safety of
children. Interested individuals can reach Hodges at
(956) 227-5929.
See MINI-TERM page 4
continued from page 1
N E W ST h e P a n A m e r i c a n
Mini-term Enrollment Figures 2004 - 2006
Source: Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness
808
1077
472
Candidates for provost/vice presi-dent for academic affairs will bespeaking June 19-23 for a seriesof open forums from 1:30p.m.-3p.m in the Library Media Theater.
News in brief:
Page 4 NEWS June 15, 2006
UNINSURED continued from page 1 WALL continued from page 1
it made a stop in El Paso three years ago, said. “The
opportunities are limited as far as these types of
attractions coming down here.”
The only problem once accepted is getting the
manpower needed to handle an event of this
proportion. According to Minjares, it takes about
200 volunteers to make the 24-hour event happen.
Though they have secured approximately 60
volunteers, they are still far below what they will
need. Gonzalez said he hopes community members
will find it in their hearts to help by donating time
or money to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars care
of the Dignity Memorial Wall.
“I would really impress upon the community
to help out with it. It’s costing approximately
$30,000 to bring the wall down here,” he said.
While Gonzalez said the Rio Grande Valley
has been very supportive of wars and veterans, few
people other than the men and women who have
fought know the realities of war.
“The parents and friends and relatives of those
men and women who have volunteered need to
realize that there is a lot of danger in fighting these
wars. We as a society are very sheltered,” he said.
Gonzalez is all too familiar with the dangers of
war. Along with being a Vietnam veteran himself,
Gonzalez’s son Jorge J. Gonzalez, a 2005 graduate
of The University of Texas-Pan American, will be
shipping out for another tour in Iraq around the
same time the wall comes to the Valley. However,
Gonzalez said he has confidence in his son.
“I won’t think so much about it. He’s in very
good hands,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez added that he taught his son love of
country early on, but is not so sure every child has
that value instilled in them early on. He hopes the
wall will be a learning experience for them.
One experience Gonzalez hopes to on day
have is visiting the original Veterans Memorial Wall
in Washington D.C., but added that the Dignity
Memorial Wall is pretty close. However, he said he
will have to make sure his job doesn’t get in the way
of him truly appreciating the experience.
“Somewhere during the four days I’m going to
have to give myself some time and reflect on the
names on that wall,” he said.
Just as the names of the fallen are etched into
stone on the moving memorial forever, Gonzalez
said he hopes all visitors to wall eternally remember
this experience.
“We probably have a large number in the
Valley who will never be able to go to Washington
to see the real wall,” he said. “It is something that
you will never get any other place.”
Anyone interested in volunteering for the
event is asked to call Gonzalez at (956) 585-8160.
results. According to Raul Yzaguirre, former CEO
and president of the National Council of La Raza,
turning in profits may be a major reason health
insurance still isn’t universal.
“There’s more incentive to let something turn
into a disease rather than prevent it,” Yzaguirre said
to conference attendees. “It’s not only the efficiency
of it, but the justice of the system that bothers us.”
Yzaguirre pointed out that assistance programs
like Medicaid do little to ease the
burden.
“For singles and childless couples, in 42 states,
you literally can be penniless and you are ineligible
for public health coverage,” said Ron Pollock,
executive director of Families USA and one of the
conference’s speakers.
HARD WORK DOESN’T PAYA common misconception is that individuals
lacking health coverage are often illegal aliens or
unemployed. However, almost 82 percent of the
uninsured come from working families.
“It’s very clear, we’re talking about people
working everyday, working hard for a living,
working for their part of the American Dream, but
living sicker and dying younger,” Dr. John Lumpkin,
senior vice president and director of the Health Care
Group for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said
during his address at the conference.
According to Pollock the uninsured population
will see no end to their struggle unless politically
speaking, things change.
He pointed out that interest groups play a major
factor in the impending issue, noting that 16 percent
of the nation’s economy is dedicated to healthcare
and should reform threaten them, lobbyists are
pressed into immediate action. Pharmaceutical
companies alone have 600 lobbyists working in
Washington, D.C.
In addition, they want their own proposals to
take center stage. If that doesn’t happen, they either
walk away or oppose others. In the end, no one wins.
John Edwards, former North Carolina senator
and vice presidential candidate, urged attendees of
the conference to take a stand against wrongdoings in
health care and to take an active role in reform.
“All of us have the responsibility to do
something about this,” Edwards said.
TRACING THE PAST - For the duration of thewall’s visit, paper and pencils will be available sovisitors can trace the names of loved ones.
www.mclib.org/vietnammemorial
MINI-TERM continued from page 3However, Ana Maria Rodriguez, interim
provost/vice president for Academic Affairs said that
along with a drop in mini-term enrollment, there are
many factors as to why the university is considering
not having another mini-term next year.
Rodriguez said budgetary constraints in higher
education may be making mini-terms cost ineffective.
“In addition to paying for salaries of instructors,
we also pay for utilities and maintenance,” she said.
Despite the issues currently facing the mini-
term’s fate, Rodriguez said she feels they are well
worth it.
“I believe the mini-term is a good idea. There
are, however, many variables that need to be taken
into consideration in order to make it successful,” she
concluded.
The late 1990s music scene was a post-grunge era
that began giving birth to major music forces. This sum-
mer, the Rio Grande Valley will welcome two of the
biggest artists of that decade who have managed to sus-
tain careers.
Rob Thomas and Jewel, both currently promoting
new albums, will perform at the Dodge Arena on June
25, making a perfect combination for some.
“I’ve been a fan of Jewel since I was in 5th grade
and Rob Thomas since 6th grade,” said Heather Cox, a
junior English major at Texas State University, a long-
time fan of both artists.
In 2005, Thomas released “...Something To Be.”
The album’s sound strayed a bit from what he had pre-
viously created with Matchbox Twenty, but his new
sound and image pleased many. His first single “Lonely
No More,” reached the top 10 on the pop singles chart,
and his album debuted at no. one. However, at the
height of Thomas’ career, he was already somewhat of
a music veteran.
Thomas gained success as the lead singer and
principal songwriter for the band Matchbox Twenty,
whose debut album, “Yourself Or Someone Like You”
was certified 12X platinum in the United States.
In a bit of foreshadowing of Thomas’ solo effort,
the singer co-wrote a song with Carlos Santana in 1999
entitled “Smooth,” which made Thomas a star in his
own right and gave a boost to Matchbox Twenty sales.
The band followed Thomas’ success in 2000 with the
album “Mad Season,” and in 2002 with “More Than
You Think You Are.”
Despite a well-established fan base, the band’s
third album didn’t do as well as the previous two. After
much touring and promotion, the group decided to take
a break, giving Thomas the opportunity to record his
first solo project.
Thomas’ appeal to fans like Cox is both obvious
and personal.
“I can relate to his personal background. He’s a
real person,” Cox said. “He has catchy melodies and his
voice is the sexiest male voice I’ve ever heard.”
Thomas and Jewel are just two in a series of big
names which have come to the Valley in recent months.
Dodge Arena Publicist Yahira Flores feels the
assortment of recent acts is one to be proud of.
“We’re actually considered small to mid-size but
we have an amazing market. We’re competing with
markets from NY and LA and still bringing down great
shows,” she said.
Caren Casas, a senior advertising/public relations
major from The University of Texas-Pan American,
received news of the show as a birthday surprise.
“I was really excited about getting the tickets,”
said Casas, a Jewel fan. “I’m more of a fan of her old
stuff, but I still do enjoy her very much.”
While Thomas was first introduced to success
with his band, his opening act, Jewel, is no stranger to
the solo scene. She became a hit with her unique folk-
pop sound and vocal range.
Her debut album, “Pieces of You,” was released in
1995. While the album didn’t see much success at first,
it eventually spawned the hit singles “You Were Meant
For Me” and “Foolish Games.” This year, Jewel has
made a return with the album “Goodbye Alice in
Wonderland,” a collection of songs that returns to her
earlier sound.
Cox strongly respects Jewel’s career, her ability to
create great music and her undeniable raw talent.
“Her skills are amazing. She completely avoids
cliche,” Cox said.
Thomas and Jewel will be here June 25 at the
Dodge Arena, located at 2600 N. 10th St. Tickets
range from $29.50-$79.50 plus convenience fees and
parking. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at
7 p.m. For more information, visit
http://www.dodgearena.com.
Music superstars visit Valley
The old adage that proclaims “a picture is worth
a thousand words” rings true this summer as The
University of Texas-Pan American’s art students
showcase their unique and diverse talents through an
exhibition of work from last semester.
The works, which will be on view throughout
the summer, are currently on display at various loca-
tions throughout campus including the Library Annex,
the Charles and Dorothy Clark Gallery (located inside
the fine arts complex) and the University Gallery.
However, this year’s exhibition proves different
as it is the first time that works of undergraduate pho-
tography students will be put on display.
Karen Sanders, an assistant professor at UTPA,
is responsible for putting the show together. In a recent
statement, Sanders explained the goals she wanted her
young students to achieve.
“It is important to me that students attain a level
of proficiency, vocabulary and conceptual understand-
ing of photography through traditional and digital pho-
tographic imaging processes,” she said.
Sanders, who holds a master’s degree in fine arts
from the University
of Michigan, teach-
es both Digital
Photography and
Photography as an
Art Form at UTPA.
According to
her, the exhibition
will feature both
significant tradi-
tional photography
and current cutting-
edge digital photo-
graphic projects.
“ S t u d e n t s
learn to engage
with a wide range
of issues that influence conventional and contempo-
rary visual discourses,” Sanders said in her statement.
Hector Perez, a graphic design major, opted to
use digital photography for his work as it relates close-
ly to his major.
“Digital photography will be an important part
of my life as a graphic designer because it will help me
be straightforward as I try to communicate through
print or other
media,” he said.
The work that
Perez is exhibiting
is indicative of the
hectic semester the
UTPA junior had
and, consequently,
has a feeling of
spontaneity to it.
“My work is a
silver print for the
Photography as an
Art Form class with
Karen Sanders,” he
said. “I didn’t feel
inspired at all dur-
ing the semester because of the stress of getting it
right. I guess that’s what most of my peers felt like.”
Perez, who has been into photography since ele-
mentary school, can still recall his initial interest in the
art form.
“Sometime in elementary school, for one of my
birthdays, I begged my parents for a point-and-shoot
camera as a present and I got it. It finally stopped
working last year,” he said.
While some may be hesitant to consider photog-
raphy a true art form, Perez believes otherwise.
“Just like a painting, a picture can have many
different interpretations or none at all,” he said.
However, Perez feels that unlike traditional art,
photographs have the ability to go much deeper.
“I like the sentiment of capturing a moment in
time that you’ll never get back again. It makes the
object that is captured somehow more appealing,” he
said.
Richard Hyslin, chair of UTPA’s Art
Department, describes the exhibit as an excellent way
to further expanding the area of photography.
“With the photography exhibit we are trying to
promote and develop the photography area so it goes
beyond a single course,” he said. “This is a way for us
to get more people interested.”
The works of UTPA’s photography students will
be on display throughout campus and are free and
open to the public during scheduled hours. Gallery
hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
while the UTPA Library Annex is open during regular
library hours of operation. The works will be on dis-
play for the rest of June and the month of July.
By TREY SERNAThe Pan American
Student photos highlighted at UTPA galleries
Rob Thomas and Jewel scheduled to appear at Hidalgo’s Dodge Arena
By FRANK CALVILLOThe Pan American
Frank Calvillo/The Pan American
DRIP DRIP - Even objects as simple as outside water spoutscan become art in the realm of photography. This picture wastaken by UTPA art student Roland Simon Arriola II.
&ARTSE N T E R TA I N M E N T
T h e P a n A m e r i c a n
Editor’s Pick: Must-see movie“The Lake House”
starringSandra Bullock
& Keanu ReevesOpening Friday,
June 16
A scenic outdoor location,
authentic blues musicians and great
concessions come together for the ulti-
mate summer family event at
Harlingen’s annual Blues on the Hill
series, held at McKelvey Park.
The series, sponsored by the
Harlingen Parks and Recreation
Department, has been a hit for six
years and will continue this summer
with three performances. While the
purpose is to expose Valley residents to
a different style of music than they
may be used to, there is an underlying
cause driving the event.
“All the proceeds go to Harlingen
Parks and Recreation Athletic program
that takes the kids to track and field
competitions,” said Mike Jaramillo,
recreation superintendent for the city
of Harlingen. “It gives kids the oppor-
tunity to compete; they’re exposed to
competition and taught skills from the
early age of five.”
Jaramillo, a 1987 Pan American
University kinesiology graduate, noted
the department would like to take in
s o m e
college interns to help with the pro-
gram.
“It’s such a positive thing for the
kids,” he said.
Leslie Ross, secretary of the
Harlingen Volunteer Involvement
Council, sets up VIP tents for the musi-
cians at the event. She said the money
raised is allocated very carefully.
“Part of
the money
that we have
left over, after
putting on all
three shows for
the season, goes
back to start the next
season. However, what
we do is use the majority of
it to send kids from the
Harlingen area to a track compe-
tition that takes place during the
summer,” Ross said. “They
have to qualify locally, and
then they go on to state
competition. We pay for
their transportation,
hotel, meals and
everything neces-
sary for them to
go to the
competi-
tion.”
In keeping with the kid-friendly
cause, the event has proven itself to be
family-oriented.
Chris Maley, program director for
KHID-FM, public radio 88.1, said one
of the main reasons they hold the event
at McKelvey Park is to allow parents to
have a blues experience.
“We try to make it family-friend-
ly,” said Maley. “Parents with kids
don’t always get the opportunity to see
blues musicians in their regular ven-
ues, such as bars, when they have kids
to take care of.”
Maley added that one of his moti-
vators for keeping the event going is to
expose kids and adults alike in this
region to a different cultural element.
“It’s a perfect opportunity if
you’re into the roots type of music,
blues or jazz and want something total-
ly different from the norm of country
or Tejano,” he said. “Not that there’s
anything wrong with that, but there’s
more out there. Plus, if you have young
children, they get exposed to a totally
different culture. That’s one of my
biggest reasons for getting involved in
this: to
expose people to the blues genre.”
There are three shows every year
for Blues on the Hill: one the weekend
of Mother’s Day, one the weekend of
Father’s Day and one in August.
However, Maley said he hopes there
will be a fourth added in upcoming
years.
“There’s a possibility of maybe
adding a date some time toward the
fall, but that’s something in the
works,” he said. “So many people
would like to attend as we approach
winter.”
The second event for the series
will be Saturday from 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
and will feature headliner Tutu Jones,
the son of Dallas-based R&B guitarist
John Jones. Jones grew up among
some of the frontrunners in the blues
world and has been exposed to the
genre throughout his life. His solo
debut album, “I’m for Real,” was
released in 1994, and he has followed
it up with two more albums: “Blue
Texas Soul” and “Staying Power.”
For more information on the
Blues on the Hill series, visit
Harlingen.com or call Harlingen Parks
and Recreation at (956) 216-5950.
There is no cost for the concerts; the
Parks and Recreation Department sim-
ply asks attendees not to bring in any
outside food or drinks, as all the money
raised comes from concession stands.
Ross reiterated that the event is
great summer fun for the whole family.
“Even though it’s summer, we
always seem to have a great breeze
coming from the hill,” she said. “The
main thing is that it’s a really great
family event and free to the public.
There’s nothing excluding anyone
from being there.”
Page 6 A & E June 15, 2006
The blues fly south for summerHarlingen spices up McKelvey Park with jazz seriesBy MEREDITH LAGRONEThe Pan American Blues on the Hill
InformationJune 17
6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Featuring the music of Tutu Jones
August 196 p.m.-10 p.m.
Featuring the music of Jimmy Thackery
“That’s one of my mainreasons for gettinginvolved in this: toexpose people to theblues.”
-Chris Maley, KHID-FMprogram director
PLAYING HARD -Dallas-based gui-tarist Tutu Joneswill headlineSaturday’s install-ment of Blues onthe Hill. Seen atright, Jones playsat theEcaussinnes,Belgium “SpringBlues Festival.” David Baerst
El fútbol no es un simple juego de 22 jugadores,
dos porterías y un balón. El fútbol por difícil que
parezca, puede cambiar el entorno de todo un país. El
deporte mas popular del mundo puede enlazar países,
detener guerras, destruir fronteras, unir pobres y ricos,
el fútbol puede cambiar todo.
En años anteriores el fútbol ha demostrado ser un
extraordinario enlace de paz y unión entre países con
historial de guerra y conflicto. En la copa del mundo de
Francia 1998 los Estados Unidos disputo un partido de
primera fase ante Irán y el mundo nunca olvidara el
intercambio de regalos y buena vibra entre las dos
naciones que hasta ahora siguen en conflicto por culpa
de sus mandatarios desubicados. Otro encuentro entre
países hermanos en copas del mundo que desarrollo
gran expectación fue el partido de Alemania del Este en
contra de Alemania del Oeste en el mundial de 1974.
Este partido fue uno de los detonantes para la unión
definitiva del pueblo Alemán, quince años después se
vendría abajo el muro de Berlín. Este simple deporte
puede cambiarlo todo.
La décimo octava edición de la copa del mundo
Alemania 2006 comenzó el nueve de Julio con una gran
ceremonia de apertura, seguida del debut del equipo
anfitrión. La Alemania de Jurgen Klinsman jugando
con mucha actitud venció a Costa Rica con marcador
de 4-2 con dos tantos de Miroslav Klose, uno de Lahm,
y una espectacular anotación del medio de contención
Frings. Por el equipo “Tico,” Wanchope se destapo con
dos anotaciones.
El pasado 11 de Julio, el equipo tricolor
comandado por Ricardo Antonio Lavolpe sumo su
primera victoria del torneo al vencer por 3-1 al mejor
equipo asiático Irán. En la primera mitad del encuentro
el equipo Azteca salio al campo con mucha presión. El
equipo titubeaba por momentos y el juego colectivo no
generaba jugadas de peligro. El primer gol Mexicano se
dio en un tiro de esquina por medio de Omar Bravo
(Chivas). Para el segundo tiempo, Lavolpe le dio al
equipo mas variantes y llegada con la entrada de
Antonio Naelson “Zinha” (Toluca) y de Luis Perez
(Rayados de Monterrey). En el minuto 76 del encuentro
una gran pifia de la zaga Iraní produjo el segundo gol
de México, cuando Naelson filtro un pase a Bravo en el
borde del área. Tres minutos después, en jugada
individual “Zinha” gambeteo y mando un servicio por
derecha que Mario Méndez centro para que
nuevamente “Zinha” remata de cabeza
espectacularmente para firmar la victoria Mexicana en
la ciudad Alemana de Nuremberg. El próximo partido
del equipo Mexicano será el próximo Viernes en
Hannover ante su similar de Angola.
El equipo de Bruce Arena, no tuvo una gran
actuación como se esperaba. La Republica Checa le dio
a los Estados Unidos una gran lección de fútbol y juego
colectivo. Con anotaciones de Jan Koller y de Tomas
Rosicky el equipo de Europa del Este se impuso por 3-
0. El próximo encuentro de los Estados Unidos será el
siguiente Sábado ante la temida Italia de Francesco
Totti y Alessandro del Piero.
En la universidad de Texas-Pan American hay
una gran expectación por el mundial de fútbol y la
mayoría de los estudiantes no dejan de asistir a clases
por los partidos. Gran parte de los estudiantes y
profesores han podido ver muchos de los encuentros de
este emocionante torneo en las televisiones que se
encuentran en el edificio popularmente conocido como
“Student Union.”
Por otra parte, fiestas entre amigos se realizan día
con día para ver los 96 cotejos de la primera ronda de la
Copa del Mundial. Un grupo de estudiantes Chilenos
que realizan sus masters en administración invitan a
todos los estudiantes de la universidad que quieran ver
los partidos. José y Jaime González esperan a los
interesados en Bronc Village departamento 1119.
Por FERNANDO MARTINEZ PECHSThe Pan American
June 15, 2006 SSPPOORRTTSS Page 7
Men’s basketball coach eager to host camp for RGV youth
GOT TIPS? E-mail The Pan [email protected]
Comienza la fiesta del futbol Mundial
The hiring of University of Texas-Pan
American head men’s basketball coach Tom
Schuberth was an attempt to improve a program
lacking much recent achievement. Fortunately for
UTPA, Schuberth plans on planting his seeds of
success months before the season starts.
The former assistant head coach at the
University of Central Florida will be hosting two
summer basketball camps in June at the UTPA
Field House. The fee for each camp is $95 per
participant, with a $50 deposit required up front.
The first camp, titled Mini Bronc Camp, will
be held June 19-22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Boys and
girls ranging from ages five to nine years old will
be eligible to join the festivities.
“It’s our first camp here at UTPA,” said
Schuberth. “It’s more for the younger kids,
involving basketball skills, games, and the little
things that they really enjoy getting into.”
The second event, the Future Bronc Camp,
will be exclusively for boys ages 8-17, June 26-29
at the same time frame as the first camp (9 a.m. to
2 p.m.). Schuberth explained that this particular
camp will be more skill-oriented, “focusing on
developing their individual skills as well as team
concepts.”
Schuberth, who spent 24 years as an assistant
coach at various collegiate programs, became the
13th head coach in men’s basketball history at
UTPA on April 21. One of his long-term goals is to
turn around a program that finished 7-24 last
season. But according to the coach, he wants to
begin his quest for success on a good note not only
with the university, but also with the fans and
community as well.
“It’s my first year here, and I want to get off
to a good start by providing it (the camp) for the
community,” he proclaimed. “I’m hoping we get a
good response. Right now it’s been a little slow
with the new staff jelled in place.”
Schuberth and his staff have made strides to
inform the public about the upcoming summer
camps, including sending out brochures and
contacting area middle and high schools. But
Schuberth insists that getting off to a late start
advertising the camp might hinder the number of
participants in this year’s summer sessions.
“Next summer, with the privilege of having
more time to work with, we’re really going to
promote the summer camps and try to get a great
turnout,” he added.
Schuberth is certainly no stranger to summer
camp involvement. He has been either a host or
participant of them for over 30 years. “I attended
camps in grade school, while being an active
facilitator during my coaching years,” he replied.
He went on to express how the summer
programs received a great response from the
Orlando community during his coaching tenure at
Central Florida.
“Orlando is a metropolitan area where we had
a lot of eager young people to choose from,”
Schuberth explained.
He continued to elaborate on the impact
camps will have on youth, explaining how young
people have the opportunity to not only learn
basketball, but ultimately develop lifetime
friendships.
“I still stay in touch with people that I met
through the camp circuits that I’ve known for over
25 years,” Schuberth boasted.
Recruiting for the future is another
underlying purpose of the camps, according to the
Bronc basketball coach. “We hope to bring young
people in here that would have such a positive
experience, that they would consider attending
UTPA,” he said.
“I think that’s one of the goals (of the camp),
not just making the kids better basketball players
and having a fun time for the 3-4 days they’re here,
but maybe this will influence their college decision
reflecting long-term goals far beyond just a four-
year plan; more like a 40-50 year decision.”
He added that the camp’s goal is focused on
portraying value in the basketball program and,
more importantly, the university as a whole.
Current men’s basketball players will take
part in the camps, but according to Schuberth,
“there will only be a couple of guys involved,
probably two or three of them to be exact, because
they are the only ones who attend summer school.”
Schuberth believes that involving the student-
athletes is essential because of the positive
influence they can instill into youth.
“The most important aspect of the program is
the players,” he continued. “They are the ones who
make up the livelihood of the camp. I want the
young people to get to know the student-athletes
and interact with them. It develops good
camaraderie between them, and it shows a sense of
responsibility among the student-athletes.”
By RODERICK DORSEYThe Pan American
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE
EVERY DAY.
FACE CHALLENGES.
HELP OTHERS.
Los ojos del mundo en Alemania 2006
Soccer is not just a sport that consists of 22
players, two goals and one ball. It is the most
popular sport in the world, one that can bring
countries together, stop wars, destroy borders
and join the poor and rich. Its power is endless.
In past years, soccer was an extraordinary
banner of peace and union between countries
with war and conflicting histories. In the 1998
World Cup the United States participated with
Iran in a first-round match, after two decades of
trouble. The world will never forget the
exchange of gifts and fine ambiance that these
two conflicting nations showed one another
before their match-up as they set their
differences aside.
Another match between brotherly nations
that brought great expectation in 1974 was the
encounter of East and West Germany. This
match was one the first steps in bringing unity to
the German people. Fifteen years later, the
Berlin Wall came down and Germany was one
nation once again.
The 18th edition of the FIFA World Cup
began last Friday with an amazing opening
ceremony followed by the debut of the host
nation. The Germans of head coach Jurgen
K l i n s m a n
competed with a
lot of
determination in
defeating Costa
Rica by a score
of 4-2. Klose,
Lahm and
Frings scored
for Germany,
w h i l e
W a n c h o p e
representing the
C e n t r a l
A m e r i c a n
nation scored
twice.
T h e
M e x i c a n
national team
under the
guidance of
R i c a r d o
A n t o n i o
Lavolpe gained
its first victory
in Germany, over Iran last Sunday. Mexico
defeated the Persians by a score of 3-1. Antonio
Naelson “Zinha”
(of Toluca) and
Luis Perez
(Rayados de
Monterrey) gave
the Aztec squad
better possession
of the ball, and
attacking ability.
In the 76th
minute of play,
after a dreadful
error by the
I r a n i a n
d e f e n d e r s ,
Naelson was able
to filter a pass to
Omar Bravo that
led to Mexico’s
second goal.
Three minutes
after Bravo’s
goal, Naelson
gave another
electrifying pass
to Mario
Mendez, who crossed again to Naelson, who
headed it back in the net for the third goal for
Mexico. Mexico’s next match will be tomorrow
against Angola.
The United States on the other hand did not
fare so well in its World Cup debut. The Czech
Republic gave the stars and stripes team an
amazing lecture of first-class soccer and
collective play. Jan Koller and Tomas Rosicky
were important factors in the 3-0 victory for the
Eastern Europe nation. The next United States
encounter will take place Saturday against
dominant Italy of Francesco Totti and
Alessandro del Piero.
Local InterestThere has been enormous expectation for
the event at The University of Texas-Pan
American. Many students and faculty gathered
at the Student Union to watch the thrilling action
of the FIFA World Cup.
Others gather with groups of friends on a
daily basis watching the first round’s 96
matches. A group of Chileans graduate students
working on their administration master’s
degrees invite all students of the university who
want to see the games. Jose and Jaime Gonzalez
await all interested parties in their Bronc Village
apartment 1119.
A newly formed baseball team has arrived to the
Rio Grande Valley, and after court controversy and
newspaper headlines is playing ball this summer. For
five seasons, Edinburg Baseball Stadium was home to
the Central League’s Edinburg Roadrunners but after
months of legal battles the Roadrunners were forced
out overe the winter and the Edinburg Coyotes of the
United League Baseball moved in.
The Coyote season kicked off against Valley rival
Rio Grande Valley Whitewings on May 17 and were
able to pick up their first win of the season, 6-2 in front
of 3,500 fans. Former Roadrunners field manager
Vince Moore signed on with the Coyotes and was
determined to make the best of the situation.
“It’s been a change because I’ve been part of the
Roadrunner family since 2001 and now that the family
has moved on its kind of hard to swallow, but I knew I
had to think about my career," said Moore, who was a
successful player for the team before becoming
manager. "It was difficult but it turned out good in the
end."
The Coyotes are 21-4 on the season. On June 5
the Coyotes dropped their first game of the season to
the San Angelo Colts, ending a 17-game winning
streak. In the Coyotes inaugural season the streak came
as a surprise to all, including Moore.
"To be honest with you yes, I was shocked,” he
said. “That’s something real tough to do in baseball.
Baseball is a strange game, it’s a game of inches and to
have 17 games where all those inches are in your favor
is hard, its tough. It was real strange to be in that
situation."
The ULB has six teams, including the Coyotes. A
17-game winning streak can only mean two things,
that the Coyotes are extremely good or that the other
teams in the ULB are not that good.
"Well we started off hot. We have a great pitching
staff, which helps us a lot. We’ve played some teams
that have good hitting but are lacking in pitching," said
Moore. "I feel that we have the whole package and
maybe some of the other teams have some work to do
as far as pitching, but the potential is there for all the
teams."
After the first loss the Coyotes seemed to be back
on track with two wins but the Alexandria Aces had
different plans as they pulled out a 9-2 victory over the
Coyotes on June 8.
If some Coyotes look familiar that’s because
several are former Roadrunners, like outfielder Eric
Gonzalez of La Feria and pitchers Julio Ruiz and Eric
Montoya. This has been a huge factor in the success to
ball club this season.
"Having these former players is definitely
beneficial because I managed them last year and I got
a chance to know what type of guys I was dealing
with,” Moore said. “And I just put a few other guys
around and they knew what it took for me as a manager
and I knew what they were going to give me every
night on the baseball field."
The Coyotes are currently on a six-game road
that started Tuesday at Alexandria for a three-game
series. So far the Coyotes have proved successful
despite the problems that surrounded them early in the
season.
With a little more than two months remaining in
the 90-game inaugural season there’s sure to be much
for excitement from the Coyotes.
Inaugural season off to amazing start for the Coyotes By KRYSTINA MANCIASThe Pan American
FIFA World Cup living up to expectationsBy FERNANDO MARTINEZ PECHS The Pan American
Onydia Garza/The Pan American
TURNING TWO - Edinburg Coyote shortstop Jermy Acey in process of turning a double play against theAlexandria Aces last week at the Edinburg Baseball Field.
S P O R T SEditor’s Pick - Game to watchT h e P a n A m e r i c a n
Marquez Atwa
Mexico vs. AngolaFriday at 2 p.m.
Can be viewed on ESPN
Mexico gets off to great start while the U.S. struggles to find first win of the tournament
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