October 26, 2006

The University of Texas-Pan

American University Student

Leadership Academy, primarily known

for providing its members with tools

for personal and professional success,

will try to help improve the lives of

others Oct. 28, which is Make a

Difference Day.

For last year’s Make a Difference

Day project, the SLA traveled to Rio

Bravo, Mexico to repaint a school. This

year they plan to help enrich the lives of

many Valley children by lending a hand

to renovate the Boys and Girls Club

facility of Alamo/San Juan.

“It is the perfect place that would

benefit not only the community but the

children who participate at the club,”

said Maricela De Leon, a senior market-

ing major and SLA member. “I believe

that helping the Boys and Girls Club is

not only a good cause but a great com-

munity service event.”

Make a Difference Day, which was

created by USA Weekend Magazine, is

an annual event aimed at encouraging

people to make an impact in their com-

munity by volunteering time and energy

to help those in need. De Leon said the

Madalyn Ochoa is contemplating

selling her used SUV and purchasing a

brand new Chevy Tahoe for

Christmas.

“I really love the look on the

Tahoe. It fits me well,” said Ochoa, a

junior biology major from McAllen.

What many fans of popular sport

utility vehicles such as Tahoes and

Suburbans are not aware of is this: a

recent trend at The University of Texas-

Pan American is the theft of side mirrors

from these vehicles.

“It is not something that we are just

experiencing here, it is Valley-wide,”

said Joe Loya, assistant UTPA police

chief.

The GM vehicle side mirrors that

are the target of theft are not the stan-

dard kind. They are the high-tech mir-

rors with built-in directional lights that

light up to the command of a turn sig-

nal.

“They are hot items since they take

little effort to take off,” Loya said.

This little effort can give the thief a

good amount of profit. Side-view mir-

rors with built-in directional lights run

anywhere from $300-$500 apiece; a set

of two can yield up to $1,000, according

to Loya.

“Usually they are sold to people

who have missing side mirrors or to

local junk yards,” he explained.

As of January of this year, there

have been nine reports of stolen side

mirrors at UTPA but no thief has been

caught. According to police reports, 40

percent of the car accessory theft takes

place in parking lots F and G, located

east of HPE I and the tennis courts,

respectively.

“We are asking officers to patrol

these areas, and we are increasing

patrols in the areas,” said Loya.

He added that the police depart-

PAN AMERICAN

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By TERESA TORRES

The Pan American

Students setto ‘Make aDifference’

By MARIA MAZARIEGOS

The Pan American

Car accessory thefts on the rise at UTPA

See THEFT page 11

Governor’s race meets mixed student interest

With as much controversy as this

year’s gubernatorial candidates have

generated, the significance of the race

itself has been enough to stir discord at

The University of Texas-Pan American.

Or has it?

The 2006 Texas election, to be

held Nov. 7, has incumbent Rick Perry

facing off against democrat Chris Bell

and independents Carole Keeton

Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman.

Samuel Freeman, a political sci-

ence professor at the university, thinks

that although some of this year’s quirky

candidates have attracted attention, this

is no indicator of how much interest stu-

dents have in political issues presented

by each contender.

“University students are notorious-

ly poor in going out to vote,” he said.

“Many of them have jobs aside from

going to class, and they feel cynical

toward politics because they can’t dedi-

cate enough time to study government.

They think it doesn’t affect them.”

However, Debra Cardona, also a

political science professor, thinks that

general dissatisfaction with government

among college students can lead to a

heightened awareness of politics.

“Some students are likely voters

based on their political background,” she

By ANA LEY

The Pan American

See VOLUNTEER page 11See GOVERNOR page 11

1201 West University, CAS 170

Edinburg, Texas 78539

(956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122

http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican

56th Year – No. 10

The Pan American gladly accepts letters fromstudents, staff and faculty regarding newspapercontent or current issues. The Pan Americanreserves the right to edit submissions forgrammar and length. Please limit submissionlength to 300 words. The Pan American cannotpublish anonymous letters, or submissionscontaining hate speech or gratuitous personalattacks. Letters are printed at the discretion ofthe editor and must include the writer’s name,classification/title and phone number.

O c t o b e r 2 6 , 2 0 0 6

PAGE 2

News EditorSandra [email protected]

A&E EditorFrank Calvillo

[email protected]

Design EditorErika [email protected]

IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

THE PAN AMERICAN

THE

PAN AMERICAN

The Pan American is the official studentnewspaper of The University of Texas-PanAmerican. Views presented are those of thewriters and do not necessarily reflect thoseof the university.

Available Nov. 2Big hair, wacky clothes- Get the scoop on a 1980s-themedprom that will benefit independentfilmmaking

READERFORUM

Designers

SecretaryAnita Casares

Roy [email protected]

Laura C.Gomez

[email protected]

Gregorio [email protected]

Brian Carr

Javier Cavazos

Leslie Estrada

Patrick KennedyAna Ley

Kristyna Mancias

Maria Mazariegos

Angela Salazar

Trey Serna

Reporters and Photographers

Advertising [email protected]

DeliveryThursday at Noon

AdviserDr. Greg Selber

Ad ManagerCarolina Sanchez

Asst. Ad ManagerLillian Villarreal

Sports EditorLuke Koonglkoong2004

@yahoo.com

Photo EditorOnydia [email protected]

EditorClaudette Gonzalez

[email protected]

Distinguished Speaker- Get full coverage of actor LouisGossett Jr.’s visit to UTPA

Letter to the editor

Community Bulletin By: Leslie Estrada

To the editor:

Mr. Edward Elguezabal states

in his article “Students lobby for new

graduation venue”:

“In addition, (Francisco) Alday

said his grandmother, who is wheel-

chair-bound, would have trouble get-

ting to and around the Field House.

‘The venue does not count with

the proper accommodations for hand-

icapped individuals to see the ceremo-

ny comfortably,’ he said.”

I would like to inform Mr.

Elguezabal and Mr. Francisco Alday

that his grandmother would probably

not have trouble getting to and around

the Field House.

We have a VIP section right

behind the graduates that is reserved

for individuals with disabilities.

There are two ramps located on the

east side of the field house, a general

ramp and the ramp which the gradu-

ates use to enter.

There is a group of us, “volun-

teers,” who are constantly on the look

out for anyone we see that might have

trouble getting in. We assist them in

and escort them to this VIP section.

They are protected from individuals

bumping into them and they have a

clear view of the graduates.

This section is filled during

every ceremony. As the graduates

exit, Dr. Cardenas makes her way to

our VIP section and greets our guests

that are seated in this area.

I would appreciate it if Mr.

Elguezabal or Mr. Alday would vol-

unteer to work the VIP section so they

would know first hand about our

accommodations for our handicapped

guests. In addition, they might want to

check our graduation website for

more information on the VIP section.

Esmeralda N. Guerra

EO/AA Officer/ADA

Coordinator

Office of the President

381-2100

If you feel ready for a change

this Halloween and would like to

experience something new, then the

place for you to be Oct. 28 is EROS’

Horror Culture Fest.

This event will be hosted at

Salamandra, located one mile south of

Shary Road on Old 83 in Mission, and

will consist of many interesting com-

ponents, according to EROS co-

founder Alberto Gomez.

“This event will consist of an

occult art show, a shock fashion

showcase by local designers, a cos-

tume contest and music, among other

things,” said Gomez, a sophomore

public relations major at The

University of Texas-Pan American.

Gomez said EROS, a company

that promotes music, art and culture,

tries to put a cultural and artistic spin

on every event they hold.

“We have a concept for every

occasion. [We] try to implement inno-

vative and fresh ideas which make

every event a unique experience,” he

said.

Gomez added that this is not just

another party. It is a cultural fest

where people can have fun and learn

about local artists.

“I think it is important for people

to understand our concept,” said

Gomez. “Our goal is to pass the mes-

sage to young people of being more

art- and culture-oriented.”

Along with the preparation of

this event, EROS is in the process of

opening an organization on campus

also called EROS.

The organization will be dedi-

cated to helping UTPA artists and is

open to anybody interested in joining.

“The organization is formed by

students and has the task of uniting

the artistic community on campus,”

said Gomez. “Its purpose is to pro-

mote artistic events inside and outside

the university.”

Gomez added that he would like

to invite everyone to assist the Horror

Culture Fest and other EROS events

as well.

For more information about the

Horror Culture Fest and other events

please call Gomez at (956) 655-8370,

visit www.erosculture.org, or e-mail

to [email protected].

“I would appreciate it ifMr. Elguezabal or Mr. Aldaywould volunteer to work theVIP section so they wouldknow first-hand about ouraccommodations for our

handicapped guests.”

- Esmeralda N. GuerraEO/ AA officer/ ADA coordinator

Photo Submission By: Onydia Garza

CAT NAP - A kitten takes a nap on top of some fellow cats as another lookson. It might appear to be just a random picture of a kitten, but, it is so muchmore. It is the small things about our campus and community (like nappingkittens) that give us character. They are the kind of things that someone whodoesn’t attend UTPA wouldn’t see. If you see something sweet on campus orin the community, snap a picture. It could be in next week’s edition of The PanAmerican.

The grass and air at the playground

may be a better learning experience than

any educational video game can ever

provide.

According to a study done by the

American Academy of Pediatrics, chil-

dren need unorganized spontaneous free

play just as much as they need in-class

learning.

According to Alejo Salinas, a lec-

turer in the College of Education at The

University of Texas-Pan American, to a

child every experience is a learning

experience, whether it be playing out-

side or playing video games.

“Children learn a lot from their

senses. Playing outside is a concrete

learning experience and everything out-

doors can be a lesson of some sort,”

said Salinas. “Actually seeing and feel-

ing real things are a more valuable

experience than just watching it on

TV.”

The more advanced we get in tech-

nology, the less likely parents are to let

children have outdoor unscheduled free

time. Parents sometimes think that the

new get-smart video game, ballet classes

or karate classes they send their kids to

will help them be more successful. But

in reality, these things are not factors in

helping a person become successful, the

AAP study indicated.

It also suggested that children

who were free to play outside devel-

oped healthier lifestyles compared to

kids who played mostly get-smart

video games, or had lots of enrich-

ment activities or classes to help them

excel.

“The development of healthy kids

doesn’t only depend on the activities

they do but on whether they’re truly

interested in the activity,” said Nancy

Students no longer have to suffer

alone over confusing notes or worry

about cramming the night before an

exam. The Supplemental Instruction

Program (SIP) provides study help and

guidance to any student needing clarifi-

cation or a new perspective.

The SIP, offered by the Learning

Assistance Center, is in its first semester

at The University of Texas-Pan

American and offers weekly review ses-

sions for students taking notoriously

challenging classes.

Nancy Salinas, a senior psychology

major from McAllen, leads two psychol-

ogy study groups in the SIP, and does not

want students to feel that she will be re-

teaching the class.

“I help the students study better by

answering questions and giving them

tips,” said Salinas. “I’ve had students tell

me that they score an average of 10 points

higher on tests, and have a better general

understanding because of my help.”

Although Salinas excels in psy-

chology, she appreciates the program’s

help in chemistry.

“I don’t know that I would have

gotten through chemistry without the

program,” said Salinas. “I find myself

not understanding the material in class,

and this helped me survive.”

Juan Ovalle, SIP coordinator, feels

that the program differs from the typical

idea of tutoring, in that students help fel-

low students.

“It is more like a study session with

someone who not only is in the same

class as the students but has also taken

and passed the course previously,” said

Ovalle. “A Supplemental Instruction

The world of the paranormal is a

topic most people try to avoid. Thoughts

of ghosts, spirits and the supernatural

have frightened the minds of children

and adults alike for centuries.

However, just as there are individ-

uals who chase tornadoes, there are also

those who look for the signs beyond the

norm.

The University of Texas-Pan

American is home to a one-month-old

ghost hunting organization. Although

the group has no official name yet, mem-

bers of the organization have been quite

active.

For Becky Reyes, a senior anthro-

pology major, her curiosity has carried

over from her time living in Ohio.

“I lived out in the middle of

nowhere where we were surrounded by

ghost stories and certain sites where you

could see things,” Reyes, now an

Edinburg resident, said.

Reyes and fellow ghost chaser

Margaret Rivera, a junior art major,

came together to form the new organiza-

tion as a result of one of Rivera’s classes

and their shared interests in the paranor-

mal.

Reyes’ and Rivera’s interests have

developed into a curiosity to investigate

local ghost stories. Reyes said the appeal

stems lies in coming in contact with the

unknown.

“You get to see something that is

totally out of this world and beyond real-

ity,” she said. “Actually looking for

something like that is fun.”

Rivera, an Edinburg resident,

enjoys the spontaneity of the subject.

“It’s something you don’t see every

day, something out of your hands, out of

the mundane. It’s a force that exists

without you,” she said. “You live your

life and you have control over the envi-

ronment. Every now and then, some-

thing weird happens, but this is totally

By LUKE KOONGThe Pan American

See GHOSTS page 12

Daylight-saving time comes to an end Oct.

29 at 2 a.m, so don't forget to turn your

clocks back one hour

News in brief:NEWSStudents gather to hunt ghosts, spirits

See TUTORING page 12

Program provides study help

By LEZETTE VILLARREALThe Pan American

See CHILDREN page 12

Kids need outdoorplay for developmentBy CELINA A. GILPATRICK

The Pan American

“Children learn a lot fromtheir senses. Actually seeingand feeling real things aremore valuable experiences

than just watching it on TV.”

- Alejo Salinaslecturer in College of Education

HAUNTED - The Alton bus crash site where 21 children were killed in 1989 is one of the places Margaret Rivera, a junior artmajor, says there has been paranormal activity. Rivera is co-founder of a new campus group of ghost hunters.

Margaret Rivera

Bio 1401

Bio 2403

Bio 2404

Eng 1302

Math 2306

Hist 2313

Math 1334

Pols 2313

Pols 2314

Psy 1310

Psy 4320

Soc 11313

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W 3:30-5TR 3:30-5

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MWF 10:45 am

MW 1:15-2:45

TR 9-11 am

MWF 1:30

MWF 12-1:30

W 3:30T 3F 3

M 2:45

W 11:45

T 4W 1R 12

LAC 108

Sci 3.342

LAC 106

LAC 122

MGC 1.318

LAC 122

MGC 1.414

LAC 122

SBS 109SBS 107SBS 107

Lib 409

Lib 409

Lib 409

Page 4 NEWS October 26, 2006

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October 26, 2006 NEWS Page 5

Victoria Ibanez wants world peace.

No, she’s not a beauty pageant contest-

ant. She’s a girl who wants her friend -

who is at war - to come home.

As acting president of the Student

Peace Organization, the junior political

science and sociology double major has

set her sights on promoting change in

American policy.

“It’s very important to me that our

country participate in things that are

influential but in a peaceful way,” she

said.

The group has 85 members, and

Ibanez said they obtained temporary

recognition from the national organiza-

tion about a week and a half ago.

However, they have wasted no time

holding an event.

On Tuesday, Frank Enriquez,

District 28 candidate for Congress, gave

a speech in SBS 101 where he spoke

about his plans for promoting peace in

the United States.

“I’m a veteran. I’ve got a brother in

Iraq, and it is my feeling that we have

lost our way in the United States,” he

said. “Let’s get the war over and let’s get

our families home.”

Ibanez added that the country

should stop entering conflicts which

they have no business interfering in.

“We should not be attacking or

invading countries where there’s not a

proper reason for it,” she said. “If we’re

antagonizing other nations, that’s a prob-

lem.”

According to Ibanez, current U.S.

policies do not promote peaceful rela-

tions or fair democracy.

“We’re preaching democracy, but

we’re not practicing,” she said. “We’re

invading countries for reasons that pres-

ident Bush feels inclined…[and] for

imperial reasons.”

SPO’s first meeting will occur Nov.

2 in SBS 207 from 5:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.

At this time, they will be electing offi-

cers and discussing upcoming evens.

Ibanez said SPO plans on hosting

more speakers including war veterans,

family members of fallen service peo-

ple and politicians, according to

Ibanez.

In the long run, she hopes the

group has a bigger impact than what

may meet the eye.

“Our organization is going to do its

part and maybe that will spawn another

organization to be formed or it can

inform students at our university and

inspire them to do something on their

own,” she said. “No one can make a

huge difference on their own. It takes

cooperation from other people.”

While some may argue that local

organizations do little in the long run,

Zar Castillo, a junior computer informa-

tion systems major, says every little bit

helps.

“Commitment to creating an

impact will in fact make a difference.

Whether it’s to one person or a hun-

dred,” he said. “Compare it to a water

ripple effect.”

Ibanez said once those who have a

message come together, they can impact

a great population.

“What needs to happen is the

American people need to get together

and demand change. They’re not saying,

‘This is wrong, we need change now,’”

she said. “We need to get together

because it’s our right as American citi-

zens.”

“[The Student Peace Organization

wants] to promote peace and have a

place for students to come together and

make a difference. People are just stand-

ing by and doing nothing,” she said.

“When people get together and promote

change, that’s when something gets

done.”

Student organization sets sights on peaceBy SANDRA GONZALEZThe Pan American

Onydia Garza/The Pan AmericanSYMBOLISM - Frank Enriquez, District 28 candidate for Congress, shows off abald eagle, which he said was a representation of peace, Tuesday in SBS 101.

La Academia de Liderazgo de

Estudiantes (SLA) de la Universidad de

Texas-Pan American, principalmente

conocida por proveer a sus miembros

útiles para el éxito personal y profesion-

al, tratara de mejorar las vidas de otros

en Oct. 28, que es el Día de Hacer la

Diferencia.

Para el proyecto del año pasado, el

SLA viajo a Río Bravo, México para

repintar una escuela. Este año tienen

planeado enriquecer las vidas de muchos

de los niños del Valle dándoles la mano

para renovar las facilidades del Club de

Niños y Niñas de Álamo/San Juan.

“Es el lugar perfecto que no solo

beneficiara la comunidad sino también a

los niños que participen en el club,” dijo

Marcela De León, estudiante de mer-

cadotecnia y miembro del SLA.

El día de Hacer la Diferencia, el

cual fue creado por la revista USA

Weekend Magazine, es un evento anual

dirigido para animar a las personas a

crear un impacto en su comunidad dando

su tiempo y energía siendo voluntarios

para ayudar a quienes lo necesitan. De

León hablo acerca de los puntos especí-

ficos del proyecto.

“Los voluntarios pintaran el gim-

nasio y las paredes exteriores, reparar

los baños y todo lo aquello que necesite

arreglo,” ella dijo.

Comoquiera, el proyecto principal

será el construir una cerca alrededor de

la cancha de básquetbol. Las condi-

ciones actuales, de acuerdo a Leo

Barrera quien recluta estudiantes para el

evento del SLA, son peligrosas ya que

las canchas están localizadas junto a una

calle de transito pesado.

Mientras renovar las facilidades en

un día puede verse como algo ambi-

cioso, Amy Martin, coordinador del

SLA, siente que se puede lograr.

“Yo no creo que vayamos a tener

problemas completando todo lo que

necesita hacerse,” dijo, agregando que

Home Depot nos ayuda a facilitar la

tarea donando materiales.

El SLA no limita la oportunidad de

solo arreglar la facilidad, sino también

miembros están colectando papeles de

construcción, resistol y crayolas entre

otros útiles escolares para los niños que

atiendan al club.

“Estoy nerviosa de que no

podamos recolectar suficientes útiles,”

dijo Deidra Jonson, miembro de SLA y

estudiante de mercadotecnia.

Hay por lo menos 12 organiza-

ciones de UTPA recolectando útiles

escolares para el proyecto.

Cualquiera que desee donar útiles

escolares, aun tiene tiempo de hacerlo,

agrego Jonson. El SLA estará

recolectando útiles hasta Oct. 28. Para

ser voluntario del proyecto del Día de

Hacer la Diferencia del SLA, diríjase a

sus oficinas en University Center, cuarto

104.

Un cambio para el beneficio de la comunidadPor TERESA TORRESTraducido Por MERCEDES CANTUThe Pan American

EN ESPAÑOLEl tiempo de ahorro de luz empieza al final deOct. 29 a las 2 a.m. No se les olvide retrazar susrelojes una hora.

Noticias en breve:

Amy MartinDANDO LA MANO - Judy Davila y Tanya Longoria ayudan a pintar una escuelaen Rio Bravo, Mexico, en el Dia de Hacer la Diferencia del 2005.

&&&&RTSRTS N T E R T A I N M E N TN T E R T A I N M E N TEditor’s Pick:

Must-see movie

It’s 11 p.m. Nicholas Kietzer just got

off work and he’s ready to kill somebody.

Kietzer, 22, is a part-time student at

The University of Texas-Pan American and

a full-time cook.

“I’ve got a busy schedule. I work

when other people are relaxing,” he said.

“When they’re sleeping I’m killing Orcs.”

Kietzer is one of nearly seven million

subscribers to Blizzard Entertainment’s

wildly successful World of Warcraft, a

massively-multiple online role-playing

game (MMORPG) released in 2004.

The game, which takes place in the

virtual world of Azeroth, allows players to

fight, make friends and work to secure the

land for either the good Alliance or the evil

Horde. The online world is a meeting

ground for the throngs of players who

spend countless hours accumulating

money and experience points to enhance

their character’s status.

Characters are selected from eight

different races, nine different classes and

two different factions. Among the selection

choices are humans, orcs, night elves,

dwarfs and trolls. The point of the game is

to enhance one’s avatar while completing

missions throughout the world of Azeroth

in battles with upgradeable weaponry and

tactics. Oftentimes, however, finishing

missions takes the help of other players.

According to a local video store

employee, who asked to remain anony-

mous as per company policy, the draw to

Warcraft is the camaraderie it instills.

“A lot of it is that people get hooked

playing with friends,” he said. “It has an

effect on life. You get into the story of the

game, but you also get to be someone com-

pletely different. It’s addictive.”

This addictive quality has pulled

Warcraft into the forefront of MMORPGs.

The game’s popularity was lampooned in

this seasons “South Park” premiere. The

episode, titled “Make Love, Not Warcraft,”

followed Stan, Cartman, Kenny, and Kyle

as they checked out of life to launch a col-

lective attack on an on-line nemesis.

It took the boys months of continuous

play to accomplish the feat, which is true to

the game’s rigorous demands. According to

one online account, “the highest level, most

complex dungeons and encounters are

designed to take raiding guilds months of

playtime and many attempts before they

succeed.”

Gregory Gilson, an assistant profes-

sor at The University of Texas-Pan

American’s philosophy department, finds

this level of devotion to on-line gaming

extremely interesting.

“I heard that you can buy on-line

money and items from other users on

eBay,” Gilson said. “It’s like there is an

exchange rate with the real world.”

Gilson, who does not play

MMORPGs, says the phenomenon res-

onates with ideas found in Hillary

Putnam’s “Brain in a Vat,” which essential-

ly argues that we could be nothing more

than brains and spinal chords.

“In modern terms it would be like we

are essentially brains in vats with mad sci-

entists or game providers or what have you

providing everything we know,” Gilson

said. “It’s the same principal that you see in

the movie ‘The Matrix.’”

According to Edward Castranova,

associate professor of telecommunications

at Indiana University in Bloominngton

who has written several research papers on

the MMORPG “Everquest,” the games

will lead to different things for the Internet.

“Telecommuting, which now

involves working on the home computer

and e-mailing reports to the boss, will

eventually become ‘going to work’ in a vir-

tual office, and holding face-to-face meet-

ings with the avatars of co-workers,” he

said.

Supernatural video game becomes new obsessionBy BRIAN CARRThe Pan American

Local haunted house brings real-life horror to patrons

Halloween is just around the corner

and with it comes trick-or-treating, witches,

monsters and a must-visit to Scream Factor

X, a haunted house in downtown McAllen.

Scream Factor X has been in business

for three years now; each night this season

has been a record night compared to past

years.

“The response from the public has

been huge,” said Marc Fantich, president

and CEO of Fantich Media, who owns the

ghostly building. “Lines get pretty long, but

people don’t seem to mind waiting up to

three hours to get in the house.”

Students like Onesimo Romero, a jun-

ior biology major at The University of

Texas-Pan American - who has gone to the

haunted house - know what it’s like to wait

for such a long time.

“I went last week and there was a

huge line,” Romero said. “I had to wait

about two hours before being able to enter,

but it was definitely worth the wait.”

The house is three times as long as

any other haunted house, and it takes cus-

tomers about 15-20 minutes to get through.

“It is twice as big as last year,” said

Fantich. “In past years, we’ve only used

half of the building, now we are using all of

it.”

Even though there have never been

any major accidents, people do occasional-

ly get so scared, they run out before even

starting to go through the maze.

“We have what we call the holding

area. It is where we explain the rules to our

customers,” Fantich said. “Ten percent of

the people get so scared in that room that

they run out from there without even caring

about their money or the time they spent in

line.”

Fantich’s wife Susana, an actress at

the haunted house, has several anecdotes

about customer experiences.

“People psych themselves so much at

the beginning that once they get through the

door, they are so scared they can’t go on

with the rest of the house,” she said.

The location of the haunted house has

somewhat influenced its popularity and

success. It is situated in the former Rio

Hotel, which had a long history of murders

and horrible arrests. This is where rumors

about ghost sightings originate.

“I’ve heard many rumors about ghosts

but it sounds really crazy,” said Marc

Fantich. “I don’t believe in ghosts but it sure

is very coincidental that people who don’t

know each other tell the same story.”

Rolando Martinez, manager of

Scream Factor X, said some customers

report seeing real ghosts inside the exhibit.

“People have come out saying that

they really liked the scene where a lady

smashes her baby against a wall,” said

Martinez. “I’ve heard the same story from

at least five different people, and we do not

have a scene like that.”

Fantich added that Cine El Rey is col-

laborating with Scream Factor X this year

by converting the movie theatre into a

“Voodoo Lounge.” It is a place for adults to

go enjoy a cold beer, and watch scary

movies for free, while they wait for their

kids to come out of the haunted house.

Starting today, Scream Factor X will

be open daily for the rest of the month.

Thursday is college night: any student with

a valid school I.D. can get in at half price.

Fridays and Saturdays are extreme nights,

while Sundays are family nights.

“Sundays are monster-be-good-

night,” said Fantich. “The way this works is

that if you get really scared you say “mon-

ster-be-good” and they have to stop scaring

you.”

By LESLIE ESTRADA

This Halloween,Jigsaw is pulling

out all the stops in“Saw III”EEAA

TROLLS, GOBLINS AND YOU - “Warcraft,” an addictive video game, transportsits players from modern-day society to an otherworldy land.

www.worldofwarcraft.org

The Rio Hotel is located on1710 Chicago St. in downtownMcAllen. For more informationregarding Scream Factor X, log onto www.screamfactorx.com.

The Pan American

Genisis Moreno/The Pan American

ENJOY YOUR STAY - Scream Faktor returns for another season of spine-tingling fright and blood-curdling chills. This year’shaunted establishment is the deserted “Rio Hotel.”

October 26, 2006 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 9Page 8 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT October 26, 2006

It’s the time of yearwhen dark, grey clouds

cover the sky and the once humid, sticky weather that is thenorm for the Valley is swept away in a strong burst of coolerwind. Farther north, the trees become bare and the noworange leaves crunch underneath people’s shoes.

Spirits and ghosts seem to take over forthis season and now the Day of the Dead, orDia de los Muertos, approaches bringing

with it a sense of joy and pride for a holidaythat celebrates those who are no longer with

us in the flesh.Dia de los Muertos began in the Aztec cul-

ture centuries ago. This holiday, Nov. 1 and 2,celebrates those who have died, as celebrators remem-ber and honor their souls, coinciding with All Saint’sand Souls Days.

“Dia de los muertos is both old and new world. Itwas a pre-Christian celebration that was adapted intothe Christian calendar,” said Juanita Garza, a lecturerin the History department.

This may seem like an awkward, slightly moroseholiday, but as it is celebrated in Mexico and certainregions in the United States, it can be a joyous occa-sion.

“The celebration is different in the U.S. and most-ly celebrated among Catholics. The Catholic traditionincludes going to church and praying for departedloved ones. However, Hispanics in the U.S. usually goto the graves of relatives to clean them, place flowers,sometimes bring an offering of a special food or bever-age, and to simply show respect,” Garza said. “InMexico it may also include church, but the emphasis isin the home and at the cemetery where elaborate altarsare placed to remember all the family members whohave died.”

Many Valley residents celebrate this holiday andthere are some celebrations going on to promote thisspecial time in the Valley. The city of Port Isabelis holding its 10th Annual Day of the DeadCelebration.

“The recognition of the holidayconsisted of altar displays for the firstseven years,” said Valerie Bates, themarketing director of Port Isabel.“Residents would create altars and dis-play them at the Community Gallery inthe Treasures of the Gulf Museum duringOctober and November.”

Now the celebration has expandedand has become a large one for theentire community in the Valley.

“Three years ago the celebrationexpanded to include demonstrations, vendors, a tour ofthe cemetery and an extension of Museum of PortIsabel’s ‘Telling Our Stories’ oral history program witha presentation of the history of the Day of the Dead hol-iday,” Bates said.

The festivities will conclude most appropriatelywith a viewing of “Ghostbusters” at the Port IsabelLighthouse Oct. 28 at 9 p.m. All of the events are freeand open to the public and located at the Port IsabelCity Cemetery, Old Port Isabel Fire Hall, Port IsabelLighthouse, Treasures of the Gulf Museum and thePort Isabel Historic Museum, all within walking dis-tance of each other.

Although the Port Isabel Day of the Dead celebra-tion has been held for 10 years now, the tradition ofhonoring this day began long before that.

“Early photographs of the Port Isabel Cemeterycontain evidence that the Day of the Dead was celebrat-ed here in Port Isabel since at least the 1920s,” Batessaid. “Special meals and dishes were prepared as partof the celebration as a great deal of this holiday is pri-vately shared in the home.”

It is believed that children’s souls return first andadult souls second. Graves are cleaned and families puta flor de muerto, or flower of the dead, on them to dec-orate the grave and serve as offering to the deceased. InMexican tradition, toys are placed at the graves of chil-dren and a bottle of tequila at the graves of adults.

The Museum of South Texas History also celebrat-ed this holiday last Saturday at the museum’s locationin Edinburg. The event offered performances, 15 differ-ent altars ranging from Father Hidalgo to Saint Jude,Maria Felix to Marilyn Monroe and of course personalaltars for family members and loved ones.

Students get into the celebrations as well and havelearned to do so from the tradition that was passeddown by their families.

“It’s honoring what they represented in our fami-ly,” said Geronimo J.C. Ruedas, a sophomore musicmajor at The University of Texas-Pan American. “Theywere the heart of our family. They were the people whocreated the following generations.”

It becomes a party to celebrate the lives of the peo-ple who have died.

“We have a comida [meal] where everyone getstogether and cooks and we set aside plates and flow-ers,” said Ruedas.

Many other cultures also celebrate this holiday,including those in the Philippines and China. In theFilipino culture it is believed to be more of a family

reunion than a remembrance. Families campout at grave sites and eat, play cards and justenjoy one another’s company.

In the Chinese culture, the seventh calen-dar month is known as “Ghost Month,” dur-ing which it is believed that ghosts and spir-its come back to visit those left on earth.

Since this also coincides with a verypopular holiday, Halloween, it raises ques-tions as to how the two may compare toone another. Although, both have to do

with ghosts, souls and life after death themes,they have less in common than often thought.

“Halloween is not at all related or like dia de losmuertos. Although Halloween (Holy Evening) is partof the pre-Christian tradition in that Druids believedthat the dead would rise and visit during specifictimes, it really became what it is today—a funny/scarycelebration— during the last century,” said Garza

No matter what culture, the general idea remainsthe same: to honor and celebrate those who camebefore us. To celebrate a life should be a fun and joyousoccasion and this is just one of the many ways to do so.

For more information on any of the events visit www.mosthistory.org orhttp://portisabelmuseums.com/dod/

Stor

y B

y: A

ngel

a Sa

laza

rD

esig

ned

By:

Roy

Baz

an

October 26, 2006 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 9Page 8 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT October 26, 2006

It’s the time of yearwhen dark, grey clouds

cover the sky and the once humid, sticky weather that is thenorm for the Valley is swept away in a strong burst of coolerwind. Farther north, the trees become bare and the noworange leaves crunch underneath people’s shoes.

Spirits and ghosts seem to take over forthis season and now the Day of the Dead, orDia de los Muertos, approaches bringing

with it a sense of joy and pride for a holidaythat celebrates those who are no longer with

us in the flesh.Dia de los Muertos began in the Aztec cul-

ture centuries ago. This holiday, Nov. 1 and 2,celebrates those who have died, as celebrators remem-ber and honor their souls, coinciding with All Saint’sand Souls Days.

“Dia de los muertos is both old and new world. Itwas a pre-Christian celebration that was adapted intothe Christian calendar,” said Juanita Garza, a lecturerin the History department.

This may seem like an awkward, slightly moroseholiday, but as it is celebrated in Mexico and certainregions in the United States, it can be a joyous occa-sion.

“The celebration is different in the U.S. and most-ly celebrated among Catholics. The Catholic traditionincludes going to church and praying for departedloved ones. However, Hispanics in the U.S. usually goto the graves of relatives to clean them, place flowers,sometimes bring an offering of a special food or bever-age, and to simply show respect,” Garza said. “InMexico it may also include church, but the emphasis isin the home and at the cemetery where elaborate altarsare placed to remember all the family members whohave died.”

Many Valley residents celebrate this holiday andthere are some celebrations going on to promote thisspecial time in the Valley. The city of Port Isabelis holding its 10th Annual Day of the DeadCelebration.

“The recognition of the holidayconsisted of altar displays for the firstseven years,” said Valerie Bates, themarketing director of Port Isabel.“Residents would create altars and dis-play them at the Community Gallery inthe Treasures of the Gulf Museum duringOctober and November.”

Now the celebration has expandedand has become a large one for theentire community in the Valley.

“Three years ago the celebrationexpanded to include demonstrations, vendors, a tour ofthe cemetery and an extension of Museum of PortIsabel’s ‘Telling Our Stories’ oral history program witha presentation of the history of the Day of the Dead hol-iday,” Bates said.

The festivities will conclude most appropriatelywith a viewing of “Ghostbusters” at the Port IsabelLighthouse Oct. 28 at 9 p.m. All of the events are freeand open to the public and located at the Port IsabelCity Cemetery, Old Port Isabel Fire Hall, Port IsabelLighthouse, Treasures of the Gulf Museum and thePort Isabel Historic Museum, all within walking dis-tance of each other.

Although the Port Isabel Day of the Dead celebra-tion has been held for 10 years now, the tradition ofhonoring this day began long before that.

“Early photographs of the Port Isabel Cemeterycontain evidence that the Day of the Dead was celebrat-ed here in Port Isabel since at least the 1920s,” Batessaid. “Special meals and dishes were prepared as partof the celebration as a great deal of this holiday is pri-vately shared in the home.”

It is believed that children’s souls return first andadult souls second. Graves are cleaned and families puta flor de muerto, or flower of the dead, on them to dec-orate the grave and serve as offering to the deceased. InMexican tradition, toys are placed at the graves of chil-dren and a bottle of tequila at the graves of adults.

The Museum of South Texas History also celebrat-ed this holiday last Saturday at the museum’s locationin Edinburg. The event offered performances, 15 differ-ent altars ranging from Father Hidalgo to Saint Jude,Maria Felix to Marilyn Monroe and of course personalaltars for family members and loved ones.

Students get into the celebrations as well and havelearned to do so from the tradition that was passeddown by their families.

“It’s honoring what they represented in our fami-ly,” said Geronimo J.C. Ruedas, a sophomore musicmajor at The University of Texas-Pan American. “Theywere the heart of our family. They were the people whocreated the following generations.”

It becomes a party to celebrate the lives of the peo-ple who have died.

“We have a comida [meal] where everyone getstogether and cooks and we set aside plates and flow-ers,” said Ruedas.

Many other cultures also celebrate this holiday,including those in the Philippines and China. In theFilipino culture it is believed to be more of a family

reunion than a remembrance. Families campout at grave sites and eat, play cards and justenjoy one another’s company.

In the Chinese culture, the seventh calen-dar month is known as “Ghost Month,” dur-ing which it is believed that ghosts and spir-its come back to visit those left on earth.

Since this also coincides with a verypopular holiday, Halloween, it raises ques-tions as to how the two may compare toone another. Although, both have to do

with ghosts, souls and life after death themes,they have less in common than often thought.

“Halloween is not at all related or like dia de losmuertos. Although Halloween (Holy Evening) is partof the pre-Christian tradition in that Druids believedthat the dead would rise and visit during specifictimes, it really became what it is today—a funny/scarycelebration— during the last century,” said Garza

No matter what culture, the general idea remainsthe same: to honor and celebrate those who camebefore us. To celebrate a life should be a fun and joyousoccasion and this is just one of the many ways to do so.

For more information on any of the events visit www.mosthistory.org orhttp://portisabelmuseums.com/dod/

Stor

y B

y: A

ngel

a Sa

laza

rD

esig

ned

By:

Roy

Baz

an

Page 10 A & E October 26, 2006

It’s been nearly 30 years since

John Carpenter’s horror classic

“Halloween” was released in theaters.

The film’s infamous killer, Michael

Myers, has since become a staple of

the horror genre and has managed to

sustain a killer career spanning nearly

three decades.

“Movies like ‘Halloween,’

‘Nightmare On Elm Street’ and

‘Friday the 13th’ – the teenagers who

saw them then now have teenage chil-

dren, so they have that sort of similar-

ity or common interest with their

child,” said Ed Cameron, an English

professor at The University of Texas-

Pan American who teaches a class on

film studies.

The last installment of the series,

“Halloween Resurrection,” was

released on July 12, 2002. The film

brought back and killed off the lead

character of the “Halloween” fran-

chise, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee

Curtis.) Though the plot has gone in

different directions, the last film still

performed well at the box office.

“Market-wise, there’s just a fasci-

nation with a creature that can’t be

killed, and if it brings in money at the

box office, they’ll continue making

them,” said Cameron.

The cliffhanger ending of

“Halloween Resurrection” left fans

knowing another would be made; it

was just a question of when and who

would take the series under their

hands. The official “Halloween” Web

site, Halloweenmovies.com, teased

fans with an update that said,

“Halloween 9 news coming soon.”

However, the Web site only updated

every so often but never commented

further on the new film. Finally, on

June 12 an official press release was

posted announcing that the white-

masked killer would soon be slashing

his way into theatres again, with heavy

metal musician Rob Zombie writing

and directing the new project.

Zombie, best known as the cre-

ator and lead singer for the rock band

White Zombie, established himself as

a movie director with the 2003 release

of “House of 1,000 Corpses,” and its

sequel, “The Devil’s Rejects.” Some

people enjoyed the direction Zombie

took with his horror-gore films and

anticipate seeing what he can bring to

the “Halloween” series.

“I’m really looking forward to

the release of the next ‘Halloween’

movie. I want to see how Rob Zombie

directed it and see if it’s as freaky as

his other movies,” said Sarah Taguilas,

co-manager of the Harlingen Hot

Topic store, where Myers’ masks and

gear are usually sold for Halloween.

“We haven’t gotten much of that in this

year, but there’ve been a lot of requests

for it.”

In an appearance on the late-night

talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live,”

Zombie said he wants to do two things

in his version of the “Halloween” proj-

ect. His vision is to make half the

movie a prequel, explaining to the

audience what happened to Myers

when he was a child. He says his rea-

son for this is that in the original 1978

release, Myers is a 6-year-old kid at

the start of the film and suddenly, he’s

an adult going on a killing spree. The

second half of Zombie’s version will

be what he and other movie officials

are calling a “re-imaging” of the origi-

nal. Zombie hopes to bring the sus-

pense and horror back into the

“Halloween” series.

“Michael Myers jumped the

shark when you could buy a doll and

press his stomach and it played the

‘Halloween’ theme,” he said on the

late-night show.

The new film is expected to be

released in October 2007. For fans that

can’t wait until then, select theatres

across the nation will be hosting two

nights of “Halloween” horror Oct. 30

and 31 at 8 p.m., featuring a showing

of the original “Halloween” on the big

screen.

When literary works make the dicey

transition to film, the results can often be

less than satisfying.

Such is the case with Christopher

Priest’s “The Prestige,” the story of two

magicians, played by Christian Bale and

Hugh Jackman in

the film version.

The two enter into

a rivalry that lasts for years with each one

trying to outdo the other in hopes of

becoming the greatest magician alive.

The two men try to accomplish this

feat by infiltrating each other’s acts, sabo-

taging their performances and putting their

own lives in danger by trying to create the

ultimate magic trick that would forever

mystify audiences.

The movie keeps the heart of the

story, but eliminates much of the interest-

ing sub-plots which played a large part in

making the book the page turner that it

was. Sequences involving the future gener-

ations of the magicians’ families, the early

careers and more importantly, the original

way in which the rivalry came to be are all

dropped from the film version.

Visually, the movie is quite stunning

to watch and at just more than two hours in

length, proves to be quite an exhilarating

ride with enough twists and turns to make

any person feel as if they’re on a roller-

coaster.

Perhaps one of the film’s best attrib-

utes, if not the biggest, is the performances

generated by the two leads. As dueling

magicians, Bale and Jackman both give

inspired performances that show the pas-

sion, drive and determination of each char-

acter.

Both men have had big-screen suc-

cesses (Bale with “Batman Begins” and

Jackman with the “X-Men” series.)

However, very rarely is either actor given

the opportunity to play against their tough-

guy exteriors by taking on roles that are

purely character-driven.

The only problem that remains are the

actual characters themselves.

At first, one roots for the two strug-

gling magicians as they try to find their

niche in such an unpredictable craft. Yet as

time goes on, the two men become increas-

ingly self-centered and obsessed, only

focused on outdoing each other, and in turn

develop complete disregard for their loved

ones and the people they entertain.

This works against the film, as both

men turn into heavy characters with very

few redeeming or heroic traits. As a result,

the movie audience is left with no one to

side with or root for, instead finding them-

selves simply watching two unlikable char-

acters destroy each other. This is a flaw that

continues until the film’s conclusion.

The supporting cast, which includes

Michael Caine, Scarlett Johannsen and

David Bowie, spends most of the duration

of the film appearing and then disappearing

for large periods of time.

Of the three, only Caine, one of cine-

ma’s most trusted actors, fares well. He

appears as a retired magician, giving a per-

formance filled with authenticity for both

the profession and the time period. The

same can’t be said for Bowie who, as a

reclusive scientist, is stuck with a rather flat

role thanks to a lack of character develop-

ment. Johannsen, giving the film’s worst

performance, is embarassingly miscast as a

British magician’s assistant who shuffles

between the two men.

Directed Christopher Nolan, the man

behind the mind-boggling “Memento” and

the re-vamped “Batman Begins”, “The

Prestige” may be a loose adaptation of the

much better Priest novel. But as a film in its

own right, it is a never-ending cinematic

bag of tricks.

By TREY SERNAThe Pan American

‘Prestige’ casts spellover movie audiences

SLEIGHT OF HAND - Christian Bale (left) embarks on a life-long rivalry with HughJackman (right) for the title of world’s greatest magician in “The Prestige.”

By FRANK CALVILLOThe Pan American

HORROR REVISITED - The decision to re-release John Carpenter’s “Halloween” into select theaters this October comeson the heels of the announcement that rock musician Rob Zombie will direct the latest edition of the cult series.

Rob Zombie to direct latest‘Halloween’ installment

www.gonemovies.com

Courtesy of Yahoo movies

For more information on the‘Halloween’ series, please visithttp://www.halloweenmovies.com

October 26, 2006 NEWS Page 11

VOLUNTEER continued from page 1

group has its work cut out.

“The volunteers will paint the gym-

nasium and exterior walls, fix the rest-

rooms and anything else that would need

improvement,” she said.

However, the main project will be

building a fence around the basketball

court. The current conditions, accord-

ing to Leo Barrera, a SLA graduate and

student recruiter for the event, are

unsafe because the court is next to a

busy street.

While revamping the facility in one

day may seem overly ambitious, Amy

Martin, SLA coordinator, feels it can be

done.

“I don’t think we will have any

problems completing everything that

needs to be done,” she said, adding that

Home Depot is making the task a little

bit easier by donating supplies.

The SLA is not limiting the scope

of its community service project to just

fixing up the facility; members are also

collecting construction paper, glue

sticks, crayons and other school supplies

for children who attend the club.

“I’m nervous that we won’t be able

to collect enough supplies,” said Deidra

Johnson, SLA member and senior mar-

keting major.

However, SLA is not alone in its

search for supplies to donate. At least

12 other UTPA organizations are col-

lecting school supplies to help with the

project.

Anyone wishing to donate supplies

still has time to do so, Johnson added.

The SLA will be collecting supplies until

Oct. 28. However, according to Barrera,

making donations is not the only way to

contribute to the project.

“We have about 80 volunteers for

the renovation project, but I’m pushing

for more,” he said.

To volunteer for the SLA’s Make a

Difference Day project, stop by their

office in the University Center, Room

104.

GOVERNOR continued from page 1

ment has not identified any suspects.

“It is hard to say if it is students or

not. Everybody can be a suspect,” said

Loya.

University police urge the college

community to report any suspicious

activity in the parking lots. Caution-wor-

thy behaviors include people simply

hanging out in the parking lot near a

vehicle with directional side mirrors.

“Suspicious activity is obvious,”

said Loya. “You see people get out of

their vehicle and they have an agenda,

they know in what direction they are

going. Someone who is hanging around

the parking lot by these vehicles does not

seem right. It’s gut instinct.”

Recommendations to avoid being

the victim of theft are to be cautious of

where one parks and to park in well-lit

areas. Alberto Aguirre, a 2006 Suburban

owner, said he is taking many precau-

tions in light of the news.

“I come in the evenings, so I usual-

ly will park in the meters to avoid the

walk but mostly because I don’t want

anything happening to my car,” said

Aguirre, an engineering graduate student

from McAllen.

Any suspicious activity or theft may

be reported via telephone at (956) 316-

7151 or via e-mail at

[email protected].

said. “It’s harder to pinpoint the level of

awareness students have of government

than it is to determine how dissatisfied

they are with it.”

She also feels that determining a

level of dissatisfaction could be directly

related to how much of an increase there

is in college student voter turnout.

“However, this could be a double-

edged sword,” she explained, showing

agreement with Freeman’s view. “A

feeling of dissatisfaction could also lead

to a feeling of inefficacy, which could

lead to less people voting.”

Cardona thinks that many students

appear apathetic about government

because they are in a transitional period

from adolescence to adulthood.

“Many college students are still

flexing their political muscle,” she said.

“College is a good time to teach them

how to become informed and understand

the importance of politics in their lives.”

And Freeman feels the political

process should concern the college com-

munity before any other age group, since

policy changes go into effect by the time

students reach adulthood.

“The stakes are much higher for

college students, and a lot of them don’t

realize that,” he said. “Although voting

is not enough to make a difference in

government, it is the first step in getting

involved in political affairs.”

Noe Alonso, a junior biology

major, thinks that this year’s election is

more publicized than past ones, and cer-

tain candidates are making more of an

effort to raise political awareness.

“I don’t have much interest in [the

gubernatorial] election, but national

elections are important to me,” said

Alonso, a McAllen resident. “I do read

up a bit about the candidates online and

look at their speeches, but I think stu-

dents are more interested in the Bush

administration than anything…students

like to bash Bush more than anything

when they talk about politics.”

Juan Colmenero, a senior political

science major, agrees that students are

more aware of candidates running for

office this year. However, he feels that

appealing to the general public is a tactic

used by candidates to distract attention

from pressing political issues.

“You’re back to Roman times here,

because people are getting all hyped up

because they share similar tastes with a

candidate,” said Colmenero, a La Joya

resident. “They aren’t appealing to an

educated mass, which is definitely a

negative thing.”

Colmenero believes immigration

and poverty matters are issues the Valley

should be focusing on, since “any deci-

sion made up north will affect us, and a

lot of candidates are trying to keep us

from thinking about this.”

On Oct. 10, Friedman caused a stir

when he came to UTPA and spoke in

the Student Union Theater. On Friday,

Bell will try his hand at a college crowd

when he gives a speech in SBS 107 at

11:45 a.m.

THEFTcontinued from page 1

The Law Offices of Daniel S. López, P.C.

DWILICENSE SUSPENSIONOCCUPATIONAL LICENSEBOND REDUCTIONMISDEMEANORS

Call (956) 424-1600 to find out whether you are a candidatefor a reduction to a lesser offense.

Amy MartinFOR A CAUSE - UTPA student Freddy Guerra paints a wall at a Rio Bravo, Mexico, school last year as part of Make aDifference Day, held Oct. 28 every year. This year members of the Student Leadership Academy and others will be donatingtheir time to the Boys and Girls Club facility in Alamo.

Page 12 NEWS October 26, 2006

out of your control.”

So far, one of the places the group

has visited is the Alton bus crash site

where a school bus was hit by a Coca-

Cola truck in 1989 and sent off the road

into a caliche pit; 21 kids died in the

tragic accident. Viewers have reported

seeing what looks like a bus still sitting

in the water, even thought the actual

vehicle was already pulled out of the

water. There have also been reports of

individuals sitting on the cliff near the

road.

Visiting sites like the one in Alton

can bring a flurry of emotions.

“There’s a somber affect that it has

on people, a very grim feeling that you

get,” Rivera said. “Some people might

get sad, because you have to respect

what happened. It’s no place to make

jokes, although some people might do it

to ease their fears.”

Reyes said her cynical nature helps

when searching for true paranormal

events.

“I’m more of a skeptic, so it helps

me view what is real and what’s not,”

she said. “Some people might mistake it

because they’re looking so hard that

they’ll mistake anything.”

Reyes and Rivera both said the best

way to avoid making mistakes is to do

extensive research work before ever set-

ting out to explore a site.

“If you go blind, you won’t know

what to look for,” Reyes said.

Some of the equipment they always

take includes video cameras with

infrared capabilities, walkie-talkies, a

tripod, candles and emergency kits.

Compasses also come in very handy.

“If there’s electromagnetic inter-

ruptions, then you know something is

going on, so you just stay in that one

spot,” Reyes said.

She added that it was very impor-

tant to carry those specific pieces of

equipment, especially the tripod, to

ensure that what they find is truly para-

normal.

“Sometimes you get mistaken and

shake too much that you get something

odd, but it’s really your fault because

you’re moving around too much,” she

said.

Rivera wants to try to get a

recorder to pick up electronic voice phe-

nomena. The theory is that ghosts can

speak to individuals on certain frequen-

cies, frequencies a recorder is capable of

picking up.

“When I hear ‘get out’ clearly on a

tape, that’s when I’m leaving,” Rivera

said.

She also said safety is always the

main concern for any outing, whether in

a physical or spiritual sense.

“Most people use prayers. Some

use St. Michael. It depends on your reli-

gion,” Rivera said.

Rivera herself follows Holy Death,

which she plans on calling upon on

Friday when the ghost hunters head out

to the Toluca Ranch in Progreso. The

land used to accommodate a war hospi-

tal, which dated back to the late 19th

century.

“There’s got to be some residue of

their energy there leftover,” she said.

“Hopefully we’ll encounter some of it,

but not on a dangerous level.”

TUTORING continued from page 3

leader may take a different approach to

helping students learn how to become

better students for the class, how to

improve their study habits, their notes,

or how to read their books.”

Being both a student and an

instructor has given Salinas an added

advantage. In addition to better under-

standing chemistry, she is also gaining

valuable work experience teaching

psychology.

“I’ve learned that there is no prob-

lem with getting help because no one is

all-knowing, and the guidance has

helped me keep up with the professor in

class,” she said. “Working with the pro-

gram is helping me get relevant work

experience and I’ve found that you rein-

force what you’ve already learned when

you teach.”

Participation in the SIP is com-

pletely voluntary, and the program has

the capacity to help many students

throughout the university.

“Students may attend sessions any-

time they want to as long as the sessions

are being held. It is a student service

although it is limited to specific cours-

es,” said Ovalle.

Some of the courses offered

include biology, math, psychology, and

sociology.

So far, the program has worked

with about 389 students, but has the

potential to help more than 1,000,

according to Ovalle.

The success of the SIP is still being

evaluated, as it’s still in its first semes-

ter; however, nationally the added help

has improved students’ chances of pass-

ing their classes.

“Right now I don't have any project-

ed ‘success rate’ since we’re just starting,”

said Ovalle. “Nationally, I think I read or

heard somewhere that the pass rate of stu-

dents in the program is about 15 percent

higher than those who don’t attend.”

GHOSTS continued from page 3

CHILDREN continued from page 3

For more informationregarding supplemental instruc-

tion, call (956) 381-3588.

STUDY TIME - Nancy Salinas, a senior psychology major, reads her textbook during a Supplemental Instruction session. Inaddition to receiving help with chemistry, Salinas is also leads a psychology study group with the program.

Onydia Garza/ The Pan American

Casas, a junior bilingual education

major. “A parent should let the child have

somewhat of an input in the activities

they want to do.”

In addition, Casas, an Edinburg res-

ident, said parents should listen to chil-

dren and allow them to have playtime

activities of their choosing.

“If a child wants to play outside,

let them have fun,” she said. “It’s

healthier than sitting in front of TV

playing video games.”

Elizabeth Quintinilla, assistant

director of the Child Development

Center, said children should just be chil-

dren.

“A mother knows how long a

minute can be to a child, so spending 15

minutes outdoors with a child can be

healthy for both of them,” Quintanilla

said.

Salinas added that allowing chil-

dren to spend time outdoors with

supervision is a little something a par-

ent can do to help their child develop

better.

“Instead of playing with your chil-

dren indoors, take them for a walk or let

them run around and be kids,” said

Salinas. “It’s an excellent experience

for the kids.”

“It’s something you don’tsee every day, something outof your hands, out of the mun-dane. It’s a force that existswithout you..”

- Margaret Rivera,junior art major

Anyone interested in the para-normal should contact Reyes orRivera at the Gamer’s Club cubicleon the second floor of the UC.

October 26, 2006 SPORTS Page 13

Volleyball team loses eighth in a row, fall to 4-21Lady Broncs’ errors lead to downfall

Staying positive and giving 100 percent effort is what the Lady Broncs are doing to over-

come their eight-game skid. UTPA fell to South Dakota State University Friday and to North

Dakota State Saturday. Errors proved to be the determining factor as the team fell in three

straight sets in both games.

Oct. 6-7, the Lady Broncs hosted the SDSU Lady Jackrabbits but suffered two losses in

three straight sets. Friday night’s game had the same outcome as UTPA fell 30-14, 30-27 and

30-16, making the record 4-21 on the season.

UTPA started off slow in the first frame but came back strong in the second. They fought

hard but the Lady Jackrabbits’ powerful offensive was a little too much. SDSU finished with a

.442 hitting percentage with 53 kills and only seven errors.

With the Lady Broncs having had just six home games this year, no one can deny that

the number of road games has had an impact.

“Road games are definitely not easy, and it does take a toll on your body,” said senior

Karen Lyons. “We’re trying to salvage what is left of the rest of the season, and we’re all try-

ing to have fun on the court.”

Saturday night the green and orange traveled to North Dakota State for a rematch against the

Lady Bisons, but fell short as NDSU picked up the win in straight sets, 30-20, 30-16 and 30-20.

The Lady Broncs led in all categories including kills, total attacks, assists and digs but

errors proved to be costly again. Sophomore Kellie Philips led UTPA with 16 kills and seven

digs and Lyons collected a match-high 15 digs.

This season has been tough especially for head coach Dave Thorn, who only wants to

see his team succeed. Through it all he has been supportive and remains hopeful.

The Lady Broncs will travel to Beaumont to face Lamar University and then be back at

the Field House Nov. 7 for their last home game of the season. It will also be the final home

game for seniors Heather Bravo and Lyons.

“The last home game will be the final chapter in my volleyball career, so of course, I want

it to end on a positive note and with a win,” said Bravo, the 5-foot-6-inch libero.

Footballers set for competition at Region IV tournamentMen advance after 2-1 victory over UTB

A South Texas showdown at high noon last Saturday yielded an invitation for the Broncs

to advance to the Region IV soccer tournament to be held from Oct. 27-29 in San Marcos.

The game between men’s Lone Star South division rivals The University of Texas-Pan

American and The University of Texas at Brownsville sent the Broncs to the postseason for the

second time in the team’s two-year history.

The intensity of the game was evident as the top spot in the division was on the line. A

quick goal by Jose Ramon, followed by the game-winning goal of Eder Islas, a sophomore

kinesiology major, secured the Bronc victory and guaranteed their spot in the tournament. The

Broncs defeated UTB 2-1.

UTPA will now go on to face 12 of the toughest teams in the state, including soccer

Goliath Texas Tech University, ranked number one.

The Broncs have their first game on Friday at 6 p.m. against Texas A&M University, fol-

lowed by a second match against TCU Saturday. The teams are bracketed into four groups of

three teams. If UTPA can emerge with the most points in their respective bracket, it’ll move on

to the next round Sunday.

Although only one team will emerge as champion, the last two teams will both be in a for

a treat as they both receive invitations to the National Intramural-Recreational Sports

Association’s National Soccer Tournament.

Bronc Soccer Club President Luis Aguirre, a criminal justice major from Alamo, said, “We

all think that we have a good chance of winning the tournament.”

The advent of the new basketball

season at The University of Texas-Pan

American has brought with it the ambi-

tions of two talented teams, the hopes of

fans everywhere, and the drive to suc-

ceed from two very determined coaching

staffs.

Heading up the newly assembled

men’s basketball coaching staff is Tom

Schuberth, a man with over 24 years of

coaching experience and a vigor for win-

ning. Schuberth feels that his most

important characteristic is his ability to

“adjust and adapt” his game strategy in

order to defeat opponents. With his long-

term goal of sending the UTPA Broncs

to March Madness, Schuberth looks to

hit the ground running, and to quickly

add notches to the team’s win column.

Assisting Schuberth in this year’s

quest for the United Basketball League

championship are three fresh faces to the

university. The first new assistant coach

is Lance Madison, no stranger to many a

championship game. During his history

as a coach, Madison helped UT-San

Antonio gain the Southland Conference

Championship, and assisted with the

Redlands Community College Cougars’

three Bi-State West Conference

Championships.

“I’m used to winning, and I expect

to win,” Madison said.

Also joining the new coaching staff

is Ben Johnson, a fresh graduate from the

University of Minnesota who scored over

1,000 points in his college career. Johnson

feels that his age will be a key factor for

encouraging the guys on the team.

“They know that I’ve been there

myself, and I can relate to them,” said

Ben Johnson, who was a starter for both

Northwestern University and the

University of Minnesota.

Brad Enright has also been enlisted

to help lead the Broncs to a winning sea-

son this year, after they won just seven

times in 2005-2006. Enright comes to the

university after helping the Paris Junior

College Dragons earn the 2005 NCAA

National Championship. He believes his

experience can offer the team “a different

perspective and alternatives.”

Adding to the many new assets of

the team, Enright brings with him much

experience in recruiting, as he helped

assemble squads at both Paris Junior

College and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Aiding the coaches are Grant

Leonard, new administrative assistant,

and Darren Johnson, new graduate man-

ager. Leonard is a William Penn

University graduate who served as

recruitment coordinator for Washington

College. He has proven himself as an

experienced basketball player, and off

the court, Leonard was a member of the

Academic All-Region Team. As a player,

he helped Washington College win 32

games.

Darren Johnson is charged with

many responsibilities including super-

vising all team managers, setting up

practices and being in charge of media

equipment. He brings his coaching expe-

rience from “across the pond” as assis-

tant coach of the London Tower’s

Basketball Team in England.

“I want to do the best job that I

can,” Darren Johnson said.

LADY BRONC STAFFReturning to lead the Lady Broncs

into victory this year is the university’s

most successful women’s basketball

coach in institution history, DeAnn

Craft. This year marks Craft’s fourth

season with the program, and the first

season that she will be able to help the

Lady Broncs compete for a league

championship.

Craft has had many years of head

coaching experience besides those gar-

nered here at this university. She served

as head coach of Lamar University’s

Lady Cardinal Basketball team. After

joining up with UTPA, Craft’s first two

seasons were the most successful sea-

sons ever seen by a women’s basketball

team here at the university, including 14

wins two years ago. Now she looks to

take on a young team this year and turn

it into a success.

Assisting Craft in making this sea-

son a victorious one are three coaches.

The first is Jill Davis, in her fourth sea-

son in Edinburg. Over the past three sea-

sons, Davis has benefited the Broncs by

using her expertise on perimeter play to

guide players, and by working hard on

the recruitment of incoming talent. Prior

to joining UTPA, Davis worked under

Craft at Lamar.

Coaching in her third season is

Keelah Wilson, who as a player once

averaged 14.8 points per game as a lethal

competitor on the court. She brings

enthusiasm for winning to the team,

along with knowledge of rebounding.

Here, she works with recruitment, the

coaching of low-post players, and is

working strenuously toward building a

video library for the team.

Sept. 7, a new assistant coach was

added to the women’s basketball coach-

ing staff, Chelsea Bell. Bell spent the

previous two seasons with the Lady

Broncs as the administrative assistant.

During her time as a student-athlete, she

served two tours as team captain for the

University of South Alabama women’s

basketball team. The addition of Bell

gives the staff four highly trained and

experienced minds that can be put

together to formulate a winning game

plan for the coming season.

Combined, these coaches will pit

all of their strengths and skills against

those of UTPA’s opponents on and off

the court. Winning games is not the only

priority. The coaches are also very con-

cerned about the academic welfare of

their players.

Working diligently in the presea-

son, both coaching staffs believe that the

teams are well prepared for their season

openers in two weeks.

Edinburg native Karla Hernandez

has gone through a lot during her

tenure as a cross country runner at The

University of Texas-Pan American.

After having her fourth coach leave

during this year, her senior campaign,

Hernandez has shown that she can bat-

tle against the odds to become one of

the top runners for the Lady Broncs.

Having been a runner for three

seasons, and well on her way to finish-

ing up her fourth, Hernandez has shown

the rest of the athletes, as well as the

coaching staff, that she deserves to be

here.

In addition to being one of the top

athletes for the Lady Broncs in all four

of her cross country seasons,

Hernandez has also been a standout in

academics.

“One of my biggest accomplish-

ments I have achieved during my tenure

here at UTPA is being on the Bronc 3.0

Club for seven consecutive semesters,”

Hernandez said.

Student-athletes learn many

things, on the field and off, and

Hernandez is no different.

“I have learned that you must be

patient,” Hernandez said. “I am on my

fourth coach already.”

With the constant coaching

changes, Hernandez has also picked up

many different techniques of running

from each individual coach through the

years, which may have contributed to

her success.

“I have learned a lot from each

coach and have learned a lot about

them,” she said. “Every year I have

learned a different technique of running

and of coaching, which will eventually

help me when I start to coach.”

Hernandez has run just about

every race there is during her time as a

Lady Bronc, but has focused more on

longer distance races, hence her partic-

ipation in the cross country seasons.

Hernandez attended high school

locally before enrolling at UTPA. Being

able to run and pursue a college career

while staying in her hometown has

been a plus for Hernadez “Being closer

to my family and friends helps a lot,”

Hernandez said. “My biggest inspira-

tion in my life is my mother Gloria, my

grandmother Fely and my high school

coach [Milton] Galloso. They have

always supported me with my running

no matter what, and it is great to always

have them there.”

As a former Edinburg High

School runner, Hernandez has also

found herself running with athletes at

UTPA that she had competed against in

the past.

“At first it was weird because

there was a lot of rivalry between us,”

Hernandez admitted, “but then I just

welcomed them.”

Having run at the university for

so long, Hernandez has found many

things that she likes about UTPA and

competing.

“I have enjoyed hanging around

my friends, from the veterans like

Ashley Perez to the rookies like home-

town rival Rose Escovedo,” Hernandez

said. “They’re not only my teammates,

they’re like my sisters and are all awe-

some runners.”

With her senior season almost

over, Hernandez has accomplished a

lot. She has become a leader for the

Lady Broncs and feels that they can do

more this season, because there are

great runners coming up behind her.

“This year we have one of the

best teams,” Hernandez said. “All the

girls are very well trained. We are all

coming in 45 seconds apart from

each other in every race. All of us are

working hard, and with three of our

top runners leaving - Lorraine Garcia,

myself, and Ashley Perez - I believe

that any of the young runners can take

our spots and lead without a problem.”

Page 14 SPORTS October 26, 2006

By RACHEL REIDA

The Pan American

Bronc basketball gets facelift for ‘06-‘07

Karla Hernandez

Senior runner looks back on collegiate career

By PATRICK KENNEDY

The Pan American

LeonardSchuberth Enright B. Johnson Madison D. Johnson Bell Wilson Davis Craft

Upon first look, William Starns, a

freshman graphic arts major at The

University of Texas-Pan American,

looks nothing like the wrestling stars of

the World Wrestling Entertainment. He

doesn’t have to; he’s an independent

wrestler.

Starns has always been interested

in becoming a wrestler, but found him-

self strapped financially while pursu-

ing his dream.

“Since I was younger I wanted to

get into wrestling, but I never had a

real outlet in the general area,” Starns

said. “I had heard of a school in San

Antonio but the tuition was several

thousand for six months and I just

couldn’t come up with that kind of

money.”

After being pointed in the direc-

tion of some local wrestlers who at the

time were in training at a local gym, he

met Sergio Tamez, current vice presi-

dent of the Pro Wrestling Syndicate

and a sophomore general studies major

at UTPA.

Starns’ interest in wrestling was

further sparked when he watched an

International Wrestling Federation

match broadcast on XERV Channel 9.

“I was flipping channels one day

and I came across the International

Wrestling Federation out of

Brownsville… I assumed it was just

luchadores, but they were speaking

English. It freaked me out,” Starns

said.

Starns and his friends got in touch

with the IWF, went to one of its shows,

showed off their skills and eventually

ended up training with the IWF for

three years.

Tamez’s introduction to wrestling

was different, to say the least. He

became interested in the sport at age 13

when his mother began dating

Scorpion, a luchador from Mexico.

After Scorpion taught him the basics of

the trade and the psychology of

wrestling, Tamez was hooked.

IWF was funded and owned by

Robert Bruce Tharpe, a Brownsville

lawyer, but the federation eventually

became dormant due to financial

issues.

After financial struggles halted

the effort, Starns and Tamez were left

with a taste for wrestling and a hunger

to produce their own shows. Together

they embarked on a journey to bring

professional-style wrestling to UTPA

and created the Pro Wrestling

Syndicate, with Starns as the president

of the newly formed syndicate.

“Me and my boys just kind of got

tired of waiting around for him

(Tharpe) to come up with the money,”

Starns admitted. “With UTPA [and the

syndicate] being an organization, now

they will provide us with a lot of little

things that we would need to run a

show. We figured to start the club and

get some people involved and interest-

ed. Eventually we would want to start

doing shows here.”

The ring he and his friends use for

practice does not meet safety standards

for members so they need a new one.

Starns said after the initial growing

pains are over, he would like to begin

doing events by the spring semester of

2007.

“We are trying to raise money

with the club to buy a ring so we can

start doing live shows here at UTPA,”

Starns said.

The club is in its infancy and

although its founding members hail

from the ranks of IWF, it seeks to be

independent from that company.

“Even if it does pick up and we

start doing shows outside of UTPA,

we still want to be basically UTPA

students,” Starns explained. “We have

wrestlers that work for the IWF that

we could call to come do shows for us,

but we kind of prefer to just keep it as

college students. Not so much as to try

and get people into a career in

wrestling, but there is a lot of people

around that want to wrestle they just

don’t know how to do it and they

don’t have any way to do it.”

The syndicate is not meant as a

stepping stone to a professional career

in wrestling, as Starns said. It is for stu-

dents interested in wrestling as an

alternative outlet for physical energy.

“If the shows played out here and

people excelled at what they are doing,

then I don’t have any doubt in my mind

that the IWF would probably pick up

one or two guys and try to help them

out in their career,” Starns said. “But

for the most part we are just here for

people that would like to wrestle, not

necessarily for the rest of their lives,

but for something to do.”

Triauna Carey, a sophomore com-

munication TV and film major, said the

syndicate provides an alternative

toward physical fitness.

“I’m more into getting in shape

and things like that, so I was looking

for a new way to do it and they sug-

gested I try wrestling,” Carey said.

SAFETY FIRSTStarns said the training members

receive includes safety measures such

as learning how to roll properly and

how to land. It’s safe to say that mem-

bers will not be involved in any of the

crazy stunts fans are accustomed to

watching on television.

“We don’t want anyone to end up

getting hurt,” he stressed. “We have no

intention of having any crazy stuff like

that. We are not backyard wrestlers,

and we don’t condone backyard

wrestling. It’s not safe or well thought

out and it makes the business look bad

to an extent.”

Story lines may be silly in the

sport. But fans keep coming back for

more. Not only are the stories enter-

taining, but they create color and pro-

vide much of the pageantry fans have

come to love. Story lines also invent

opportunities for other characters who

may not necessarily want to wrestle,

such as agents, referees, managers and

scantily clad hot women, all of whom

are in demand from the syndicate.

“It’s not just wrestlers. We are in

need of referees and managers and per-

sonality types in general,” Starns

noted. “If they just want to be a charac-

ter, you know they don’t want to actu-

ally do anything physical, we can find

a spot for them. If we can find some

guys who want to run their mouth or

some girls that want to show off what

they got then by all means we’ll find

somewhere to put you.”

In addition, Tamez said, “The

club is not only for people that just

want to learn how to wrestle; it’s for

people that just like wrestling or want

to watch wrestling. They don’t have to

become wrestlers.”

The theatrics of a wrestling match

mirror the psychological aspects of the

sport - for every action there is a reac-

tion. Tamez said the thinking aspect of

wrestling is something members will

also be thoroughly instructed in; he

compared wrestling’s psychology to

that of a “Rocky” movie, where the

protagonist must battle the antagonist

in a fight between good and evil.

“How you punch, how you kick,

how you react to certain moves, they

are all psychology, Tamez said. “When

I punch you, you should react a certain

way. You will stumble back and almost

fall down.”

Furthermore, Tamez said mem-

bers of the syndicate can also expect to

learn the terminology, watch wrestling

footage from different parts of the

world, much unlike what fans are used

to watching, and most important of all,

achieve physical fitness.

“I’ve always been a fan of

wrestling. It’s just a nice way to go and

watch matches and learn more about

wrestling in general,” he said.

October 26, 2006 SPORTS Page 15

Pro syndicate wrestling hits the ValleyBy ERICK QUINTEROThe Pan American

BODY SLAM - Sergio Tamez, a junior general studies major, is one of severalUTPA students taking part in the new Pro Wrestling Syndicate. The organizationis currently garnering support to expand from the university community.

HEADLOCK - John Cena (top) and Edge are two wrestlers from World Wrestling Entertainment that competed for the cham-pionship back on Jan. 29.The championship, known as the Royal Rumble, was shown on Pay-Per-View. The results fromthe match between the titans resulted with a win by Cena. The Pro Wrestling Syndicate hopes to develop the same excite-ment as their professional counterparts.

William Starns

James L. Garza

At The University of Texas-Pan American there are plenty ofstudents who used to play highschool football. For some itseemed like high school wouldlast forever, but now it is only amemory. As former players thinkabout the time they spent on thefootball practice field they findthemselves missing it. Evenmore so they miss the Fridaynight lights.

“The practices were longand grueling. I may not havebeen having that much fun at thetime, but when I look back, it wasprobably the most fun I couldhave. I miss it a lot actually,”said Josh Yamaguchi, a sopho-more biology major who playedfor the McAllen MemorialMustangs.

Building on the success of ahandful of football movies, tele-vision has recently gotten into

the act, seeking to show whatlife is like for a high school stu-dent-athlete. “Friday NightLights,” the big movie inspiredby the book of the same name,got it all started; it has now beenturned into a TV series. Plus,MTV’s “Two-a-Days” have alsoshed some light on the world ofprep football.

“That show, [‘Two-a-Days’]they have a lot more pressurethan I did,” Yamaguchi said.“They were on a thirty-game win-ning streak, the best in thenation. They had their highschool games on ESPN. That’sbig time stuff for high schoolfootball… The pressure on themseems higher than most highschool football teams.”

Other former players notethat the portrayal of details onthe MTV show is realistic.

“When I watch the show,they just show what they dobefore the game and practicallyjust their life,” said Art Longoria,

a sophomore business manage-ment major who used to play forMcAllen High.

Longoria said the show wasvery reminiscent of what heexperienced.

“It was kind of similar towhat we did, as far as before thegame and after the game,” henoted. “There are certainlifestyles that high school foot-ball players live. You have toleave everything behind andfocus when you’re out there ongame night.”

Longoria also added heunderstood what the players onthe show went through eachtime they hit the field.

“You have to try to pleaseyour family and the community.It’s pressure,” Longoria said.“You have to represent yourschool.”

“Two-a-Days” is a documen-tary series of the life and role ofAlabama high school footballplayers attending Hoover High

School. The show follows thelives of Alex, a safety; Repete, adefensive lineman; Ross, thequarterback; and Max, anothersafety. Through nine episodes,viewers were able to take aglimpse into the preparations,the practices and the games ofthe entire 2005 season. TheBucs went 14-1 and notchedtheir fourth state championship.

This year, they are rankedNo. 9 in the nation and trying towin their sixth state title in sevenyears in Class 6A, Alabama’slargest classification. The lastepisode of the show was shownOct. 11, but don’t worry. “Two-a-Days” had a lot of success andis likely to air a second seasonsometime next year.

“Friday Night Lights” pre-miered for its first season Oct. 3and airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. onNBC. In this show Eric Taylor isa first-time high school coachwho finds himself with the tal-ented Dillon Panthers.

SPORTSEditor’s Pick: Game to Watch

By JORGE HINOJOSAThe Pan American

Nikki Rowe

Time: 7:30 p.m.

McAllen Memorial

When: Oct. 27

Where: McAllen VeteransMemorial Stadium

Warrennewest

member oftennis staff

TV shows explore drama of high school footballBy KRISTYNA MANCIAS

The Pan American

Robin Warren

A former North Texas tennis star

brings her expertise to The University

of Texas-Pan American, as she

becomes the newest member of the

Bronc family. On Sept. 20, UTPA

announced the addition of Robin

Warren as a volunteer assistant coach

for the tennis programs.

The former collegiate athlete has

a resume full of accolades that would

impress any university. As a junior,

Warren was ranked in the top five in

Texas and was ranked top 15 in the

country. The assistant coach was

ranked 10th in the state in doubles and

was number one in the state alongside

her new head coach, Rob Hubbard.

Warren served as the assistant ten-

nis professional and director of junior

development at the Walden Racquet

Club in Montgomery, Texas. The

nationally ranked tennis star has taught

privately for 12 years and hopes to

improve the program at UTPA.

“I want to bring back the sprit of

playing tennis. UTPA at one time was a

first-class tennis team and this is prob-

ably the best two teams that have been

here for a long time, especially the

women’s team,” Warren said.

Last year’s tennis team finished

with a combined 10 wins, and Warren

is ready to share her professional expe-

rience with her new family.

“I see a lot of potential in this pro-

gram,” she said. “We have a couple of

players that have less experience but

with our experience we can bring it out

of them.”

Design By DA XIE

October 26, 2006

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