the southwest texan - Southwest Texas Junior College

THE SOUTHWEST TEXAN
The official publication of Southwest Texas Junior College
December 5, 2012
Vol. 74 Issue Two
www.swtjc.edu
Finals
are here
Student choice
winners listed
Final exams will begin
on Thursday, Dec. 6 and run
through Wednesday, Dec. 12, for
the 2012 fall semester. See page
eight for a complete schedule.
Grades are due by 10
a.m. on Friday, Dec. 14. The fall
semester officially closes at 4
p.m. on Dec. 14.
SWTJC offices will be
closed for the Christmas break
until Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Faculty will report back
on Tuesday, Jan. 8, and the first
day of spring classes is Jan. 14.
Posada
slated
Thursday
The SWTJC Uvalde
Catholic Club will conduct its
2012 Christmas Posada this
Thursday, Dec. 6, on the Uvalde
campus.
All students, faculty and
staff are invited to celebrate the
beginning of the holiday season
in the reenactment of Joseph and
Mary’s journey from Nazareth to
Bethlehem.
Following the posada,
there will be food, drinks, singing
and piñatas for the children in the
Matthews Student Center Ballroom.
Posada participants will
gather outside the student center
at 7 p.m. For more information
contact club sponsor Fernando
Lombraña at extension 7216.
Art show
to feature
students
An art show and poetry
reading scheduled Friday, Dec.
7, in Uvalde will feature SWTJC
artists and writers.
The event will be held
starting at 8 p.m. in the Art Lab,
an art gallery owned and operated
by SWTJC art instructor Abel
Ortiz.
“Humanities instructors
at SWTJC encourage creativity in
our students through engagement,
process and presentation,” Ortiz
said. “The Art Lab provides a
good venue for events like this,
events I like to consider ‘cultural
penicillin.’”
SWTJC art students
to be featured in the show
include Armando Quiroz from
Knippa, Melissa Felder from
Utopia, Patricia Bosze from
Brackettville, and Rose Kelly,
Gail Lumm, Isaac Rodriguez,
SEE ART SHOW, PG. 8
Student Choice Award Winners at SWTJC this fall include: (front, l-r) Dean Joe Barker, Jessica Nuñez-Gonzalez, Krystabel Vasquez,
Ernesto Alejandro, Maria Morales, Jesus Castro, (back) Nairobi Gonzalez, Michael Martinez, Esther Zepeda, Joel Quijano, Brandee
Alejandro, Aroldo Dios Santos and Giovanna Garcia. Winners were announced at the annual Thanksgiving Feast on Nov. 13.
by Claudia Esparza
Southwest Texan Reporter
There are days to be
thankful and there are days to
be helpful but on Nov. 13 both
came together to celebrate the
annual Thanksgiving Feast.
The feast, hosted by the
Student Activities Office was a
success with 267 attendees.
Admission was one or more
canned goods to benefit the
American Red Cross.
In addition to a
traditional Thanksgiving dinner,
2012 Student Choice Awards
were announced. Elected by
students and staff winners
were: campus clowns, Joel
Quijano and Brandee Alejandro;
campus favorites, Jesus Castro
and Maria Morales; and most
athletic, Alfredo Chavarria and
Esther Zepeda.
Other winners were:
friendliest, Aroldo De Los Santos
and Giovanna Garcia; most
beautiful, Nairobi Gonzalez;
most
handsome,
Michael
Martinez; Mr. & Ms. Santa
(students) Ernesto Alejandro
and Krystabel Vasquez; and Mr.
and Mrs. Santa (staff) Joe Barker
and Jessica Nunez-Gonzalez.
Burchfield presents workshop in Houston
Dr. Mitchel Burchfield
English instructor Dr.
Mitchel Burchfield presented a
workshop entitled “Designing
and Teaching a Combined
Reading and Writing Course”
during a conference held last
month in Houston.
B u r c h f i e l d ’s
presentation was part of the
2012 Joint Conference of the
College Reading and Learning
Association (CRLA) and the
College Academic Support
Programs (CASP). CRLA is
a national organization and
CASP is an organization of
the
Texas
Developmental
Educators and the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board.
Over 700 participants
from across the country gathered
in Houston to share best practices
and latest research in the area
of developmental education,
which includes reading, writing,
mathematics and academic
support services. Dr. Burchfield,
an author of a reading and
writing textbook, is a recognized
expert in the areas of reading and
writing.
“In
the
past,
developmental reading and
writing have been offered as
separate courses, but recent
research, as well as initiatives to
improve efficiency, has resulted
in a movement toward combining
the two courses,” Dr. Burchfield
said.
In addition to making
a workshop presentation, Dr.
Burchfield was also presented
a plaque at the conference for
his service during 2011-12 as
president of the Texas Association
for Developmental Education.
Dr. Burchfield has over 23 years
of teaching experience at SWTJC
and serves on the CASP Board
of Directors as well as various
committees for the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board.
SWTJC
reading
instructors Aide Escamilla and
Vanessa Uriegas were also in
attendance at the CRLA/CASP
Conference held Nov. 7-11 at
the Hyatt Regency Hotel in
Houston.
Challenged to think critically
by Allyssa Brewster
Southwest Texan Editor
When I enrolled in
Humanities 1301 this fall with
Jami Watts, I didn’t really know
much about the class. I needed an
elective to finish my associate’s
degree and hoped it would be an
easy A.
Turns out, I absolutely
love the class and believe I’ve
gotten more out of this class than
any other while being enrolled at
SWTJC.
Jami Watts, 33, a Texas
native, was born in Liberty
County and then moved to
Waller after sixth grade. Her
mother was a high school
English teacher and her father
was a English teacher/defensive
football coordinator. She is now
married to her “cowboy fireman
husband,” Clayton Watts.
Mrs. Watts taught a
developmental English course
here at SWTJC last spring,
but this is her first semester to
teach here full-time. She has
taught several semesters of night
courses in humanities in the Lone
Star College system in Houston,
and taught two semesters of
humanities at Northwest Vista
College in San Antonio last year.
Her teaching experience
also includes ten years at Spring
High School where she taught
advanced placement English,
dual credit humanities, creative
writing, literary magazine and
pre-advanced placement rhetoric
and composition.
While teaching at
Spring she took master’s level
English courses at the University
of Houston and then decided to
pursue a Master of Liberal Studies
degree at Rice University rather
than focus on just English.
Watts said she was
far more interested in the
interdisciplinary approach of the
MLS because she could blend
her focus between literature,
history, theology, philosophy,
art and science. She was in the
founding MLS class at Rice and
was one of three in the first group
to graduate.
Her
educational
background and commitment to
what she teaches are evident in
her Humanities 1301 class. She
is engaged with the students and
teaches in a really relatable way.
SWTJC Uvalde humanities instructor — Jami Watts
This year in class we
have gone over the topics of
self and suffering, poverty,
environmental
destruction,
intolerance and war. I never
knew someone could make those
five topics so interesting and
thought provoking. Being in
Mrs.Watts’ class has taught me
to think critically about topics
which relate to everyone’s lives.
Mrs. Watts told me
SEE HUMANITIES, PG. 8
Phi Theta Kappa pledge drive
encourages degree completion
Students in Uvalde take the pledge to complete an associate’s degree or certificate program. The
degree completion project is a national effort by Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.
INDEX
Stay connected with SWTJC
Campus Views............................page 2-3
Photo Page.....................................page 4
LIKE
facebook.com/SWTJC
by Andrew Mitton
Southwest Texan Reporter
Phi Theta Kappa is
constantly challenging members
to push themselves intellectually,
and now they are going one
step further by challenging all
students to commit themselves
to the task of completing an
associate’s degree or certificate
program.
SWTJC
Uvalde’s
Eta Beta Chapter has joined a
nationwide effort of Phi Theta
Kappa called the 4C Completion
Project. The 4Cs stand for
Community College Completion
Corps.
The project was started
in the spring of 2010 when
leaders of six national community
college organizations, including
Phi Theta Kappa, pledged to
commit to increase student
completion rates by 50% over
the next decade.
On Nov. 17, Eta Beta
Chapter members began taking
pledges from students in the
student center. Students are
encouraged to paint on their
hands and then place them on a
large canvas, creating a unique
stamp which is then signed by
the pledge. This pledge affirms
each student’s commitment to
complete their two-year degree
or certificate requirements.
News......................................page 5
News......................................page 6
FOLLOW
@SWTJC
“There are numerous
benefits to completing your
degree or certificate including
higher earnings in the workplace,
better job retention and fewer
barriers to transferring to a fouryear university,” Blair said. “Our
chapter plans to hold another
pledge drive in the spring to add
to the fall pledges.”
By raising awareness
of the importance of degree
completion, Phi Theta Kappa
hopes to generate more interest
in furthering education, while
sending a message of selfimprovement, and highlighting
the benefits that accompany
earning an associate’s degree.
Creative Corner................page 7
Sports...............................page 8
SUBSCRIBE
youtube.com/SWTJCUVALDE
Page 2 • Southwest Texas Junior College • The Southwest Texan • December 5, 2012
Campus Views
What is your
New Year’s
resolution?
“I don’t make New Years
resolution. I dont think
new years is special. I
make my resolutions
when i want to.”
Mark Scheller
Del Rio
What is ‘normal’ anyway?
by Andrew Mitton
Southwest Texan Uvalde Columnist
It is much more normal in the
new millennium to be “in your face”
with personal appearance, but as the
population of the world rises and more
and more people want to stick out, it is
harder to find Avant-garde material that
conveys non-conformity.
With more of us sheep looking for
individuality as black sheep, abstract appearances are more
commonplace, as the old ways of dressing and styling hair
have been done and redone more than a few times.
I prefer to express my individuality through the art that is my
skin, as it is representative of a timeline that only I could have
been a part of.
Tattoos are a unique form of expression, as they
allow for each person to customize what it is that they will be
announcing to the world, the very ideas and intentions of the
person “wearing” the art on their skin.
For me, tattoos are a way of reminding myself what I
have been through, accomplished and even failed at through
the course of my life.
By using my tattoos as a reminder of my past, in an
attempt to not repeat it, I have discovered my individuality
and have separated myself from others, as no one else could
have lived the life that I lived.
Expressionism is something that is unique to everyone,
whether it is body art, writing, singing, strange hair styles,
or dressing a certain way. Each person wants to be known for
something that is somehow different from the others.
So if we really are like sheep, then face it, more people are
trying to be the black sheep in the new millennium, as evidenced
by the number of people getting tattoos, or dying their hair, or
getting body piercings. It’s simple, we all crave attention, and
look for ways to get it.
The stage has been set for everyone to be unique, especially
when the trend is to be as outrageous as possible.
I recall a time in 1998 when it was considered strange to
have an eyebrow piercing, or a few tattoos here and there, and
now, in 2012, it’s not uncommon to see more professionals with
full sleeves of tattoos down their arms and legs, and body jewelry
from head to foot.
Mainstream society has accepted and latched onto the art
of expressing yourself through the modification of body parts
and the application of art upon skin, movies show more people
with body art, and there are even shows such as “Ink Master”
and “L.A. Ink” that glorify tattoo artists and their abilities, in an
attempt to open the viewer’s mind to change.
This bold new world is a far cry from the hometown
picturesque images of Norman Rockwell’s 1950’s. As more and
more people look to the trends spawned by the children of the past
two decades, it’s getting easier to wonder, just what is normal?
The shadowy figures covered in tattoos and piercings,
dressed in strange new fashions, are not just finally getting a
moment in the light, they could be your doctor, lawyer, or even
the person responsible for teaching your children.
Non-traditional students persist
by Claudia Esparza
Southwest Texan Uvalde Columnist
“Take my education more
seriously and not let life
pass me by.”
Luke Beltran
Del Rio
“To be a better father to
my child.”
Mario Herrera
Del Rio
Next time you’re in class, look
around and notice that not everyone is the
same age as the average student in college.
What you may see is someone much older
than you. No they haven’t been here
for years, they just happened to be nontraditional students.
According to the internet, nontraditional students are those who are 25
and older who return to school for any reason: such as their
GED, degree, professional certification, even lifelong learning.
They are not your traditional students heading off to college;
they are adults who decide to go back to school after the
traditional college age of 18-24.
Some students decide to get married, have kids, work or
support their parents, not necessarily in that order. I am one of
those non-traditional students. I got married 19 year ago and
moved away. I wanted to go to college but kids came and I kept
putting it off.
I lived and traveled in Europe and I enjoyed every
moment, but the one thing I always wanted was to go to
college. Now, here I am after all these years finally in college
and working to fulfill my dream. I have struggled like so many
before me, but there’s nothing better than accomplishing what you
start once and for all.
As a non-traditional student, I take college very seriously.
My age prevents me from wasting time. The bad thing is it has
taken me longer than usual to finish a two-year college degree.
I have been here since 2009, being careful each semester to
not take more classes than I can handle. I have to balance my
class schedules, kids, husband, daily household duties and my
children’s extracurricular activities. Sometime I don’t have time
to participate in fun things in college, but I’m working on that
because it’s about me, too
Thank you to all the instructors, SWTJC staff and tutors
who have worked with me to help me succeed. Also, thanks to all
the “traditional” students, many who are much smarter than me in
some subjects, for all their patience with this old non-traditional
student.
Finally, special thanks to my family for all their support. I
really don’t consider myself so old but I could be your mom and
other non-traditional students could be your dad, grandmother, or
grandfather.
The point is that age doesn’t matter when it comes to
education. Good luck to all those who no matter how hard it is to
be here, won’t give up.
Evaluate relationships before gift buying
by Marina Escamilla
Southwest Texan Uvakde Columnist
“I will be more selfish”
Lizette Salas
Del Rio
“Learn not to be paranoid.”
Abraham Alvarado
Eagle Pass
As we enter autumn and winter
we start to see the same posts appear on
our Facebook newsfeed and our Twitter
timeline, “Oh how I wish I had someone
to cuddle with in this weather,” and “Too
bad I don’t have anyone to exchange
gifts with.”
In fact, companionship during the holidays is
basically a seasonal necessity. Regardless if we are on a quest
for romance or it magically finds us, it certainly does happen.
And for those who have the advantage of having stability, you
may be envied but gift shopping is still a strenuous subject!
Guys who have been friend-zoned, this may be your
time for redemption. Ladies, before you start guilt tripping
him by saying “I’m going to have to buy myself Christmas
gifts since I don’t have anyone,” let’s try a less dramatic
approach.
I’ve always been taught to never tell someone you
bought them a gift. It’s like saying “Hey, I got you something
and I’m expecting something in return,” which brings you to
the question, are we there yet? Some of you may think that
I am overthinking this and others know exactly where I’m
coming from.
It started when I was at the mall with my person of
interest and I was looking at the perfume Coco Mademoiselle
from Chanel when he said, “What do you want for Christmas,
Chanel sounds expensive.” I was baffled, and I can’t say
“Do more exercise.”
Maria Danielle Gleason
Eagle Pass
“To be musically fruitful.”
AJ Ortiz
Eagle Pass
for certain on which account; being asked what I wanted for
Christmas, or that Chanel sounded expensive.
I’m sure there is an article in Cosmopolitan with direct
instructions on how to respond. I don’t know about you but
I don’t have the time or experience for that and quite frankly
when should you ever take advice from a magazine?
Instead, evaluate your relationship by how well you get
along with your person of interest and act accordingly. Subtract
distractions like what your friend has in mind for their partner,
and focus on what you feel. Consider this, do you think of this
person on a Chanel level, Apple iPad level, department store
level, or is it just gift card material?
If problems persist after categorizing your relationship
by the levels I listed, evaluate the things you do together. If your
dates mainly consist of lunch at McDonalds perhaps a gift card
would be of greater benefit and would be well utilized. There’s
nothing worse than spending money that goes to waste, right?
As Thanksgiving gets overshadowed by Christmas
more and more each year, and we get way more involved in
buying gifts rather than appreciating the time and opportunity to
spend with your special someone and family, we forget the true
meaning and importance of this time of year.
Whether it is seeking companionship for the cold
weather, or you were lucky enough to find someone who makes
your life feel like a movie, there is no better gift than sharing
your appreciation of each other.
For those who have neither, Lana Del Rey recently
released the Paradise edition of Born to Die which is a perfect
listen for self-loathing.
“Become a better
runner for the 5K
obstacle course.”
Mario Jimenez
Eagle Pass
“To have no New Year’s
Resolution.”
Joshua Garza
Eagle Pass
Campus Views
Southwest Texas Junior College • The Southwest Texan • December 5, 2012 • Page 3
What did you do Big trades promise exciting NBA season
this year to get
Big trades happened this been in the shadows of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. He
on Santa’s
year in professional basketball. The would never have been able to fully shine as a star player. Now
Los Angeles Lakers are my team, so that he’s on a sorry team like the Rockets he can start to form his
good list?
I was excited to see Dwight Howard
by Orlando Vicuna
Southwest Texan Del Rio Columnist
“I try to be nice,
whenever I can.”
Juan Aviles
Uvalde
“I am a very polite
person 24/7. I also have
good manners.”
Rebekah Garza
Uvalde
and Steve Nash join the Lakers.
I really don’t have a doubt that
Dwight will sign a contract with the
Lakers later in the season. Come
on, let’s be honest, there is no other
team that best suits Dwight than the
Lakers. It’s his best choice if he wants to win a championship.
Especially with all these other super teams forming like the
Miami Heat with their newest team mate Ray Allen, but I’ll get
back to that trade a little later.
Yea I have to say the Lakers don’t look so good yet this
season. I don’t think their new head coach Mike D’Antonio will
do much good for the Lakers either. I have to say that was a huge
mistake for the Lakers but I’m confident that they will figure
something out to put themselves back on top.
I don’t expect the Lakers to win a championship this
year. It is obvious that they still need to learn how to play as a
team and adjust to D’Antonio’s way of coaching, but next season
there will be no excuses for them and I expect to see them win
another ring.
Another big trade that happened was James Harden
leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to go with the Houston
Rockets, joining Jeremy Lin. Even though it was a terrible loss
for OKC, I believe it was a great move for Harden.
If Harden had stayed with OKC he would have always
Christmas pickle is tradition to keep
by Allyssa Brewster
Southwest Texan Editor
“I have been a very good
friend.”
Richard Antu
Uvalde
“I act good and listen to
my parents.”
Deigo Santos
Uvalde
own dynasty and be the head player. But Houston will definitely
need to sign more good players before they can get past the super
teams and win a championship.
Now, back to Ray Allen going with the Miami Heat. I know
that business is business and should never be taken personally,
but come on. Why would he join his previous team’s main rival?
To me, Ray Allen is a sellout and he deserves no respect from his
former teammates on the Celtics.
I was glad that Kevin Garnett didn’t shake Allen’s hand
when both teams played earlier this year. He could have gone to
any other team that he wanted but he had to choose the Miami
Heat. To my way of thinking, if he wants to be seen as a weasel I
guess he made the right choice. To each his own.
Another player people need to keep an eye on this season
is Anthony Davis who went to New Orleans in the draft. I don’t
think many people paid much attention to this or even know much
about Anthony Davis, but he was a star player in college and
it’s exciting to finally see him in the NBA playing with the top
players. I don’t think he will stay very long with New Orleans. I
think he will be traded soon. But keep your eye on Antony Davis
and his uni-brow because he will be a star player really soon.
All in all it should be a very exciting NBA season and
I can’t wait to see these super teams go up against each other.
We’ll see who wins the championship, but I think it will be a
really close season.
Go Lakers.
I don’t know about you but I have
been hit with the Christmas spirit in full
force. My favorite time of the year is finally
here. There is so much to love about this
time of year. Families coming together.
People from near and far, Christmas lights
everywhere, Christmas trees visible in
windows when you’re driving down the
road. I LOVE IT.
With the holidays comes tradition. My family is big on
tradition. That’s what I think makes our Christmas so heartwarming
and exciting every year. The tradition of all the grandkids sitting
in their same seats at the table and going on a scavenger hunt for a
small present before we get to open the big presents.
Another great tradition my family does every year is the
pickle in the Christmas tree. After we eat and before we do presents,
my grandma divides the five girls from the four boys.
The girls go first. We go into another room and wait while
my grandma hides a pickle slice in her well-decorated Christmas
tree. She usually has help from the boys, so it normally takes us
forever to find it. Sometimes it takes five minutes to find, but
sometimes it takes an hour. Then after we’ve found it the winning
girl gets a prize, and then we re-hide it and the boys try to find it.
This game might sound easy, but it is not. Try picturing a
pickle slice in the Christmas tree, with the lights and ornaments
and all the greenery. It is hard stuff. I mean we’ve done this
numerous years and the tree always comes close to falling or
ends up a little crooked in the end because we have to search so
vigorously for it.
It’s just a silly little game but it’s something I look forward
to every single year. I cannot tell you how much this pickle
tradition means to me. All the laughter we share from listening
to all the boys jokes while they try to find it and all the laughter
we share from doing the same thing. The stories we have about
the tree almost falling, or which ornament broke. It’s just crazy
to me that such a silly tradition can mean so much.
Every family has their traditions. Whether silly or serious,
traditions make up much of what the holidays are all about. Most
people get that warm fuzzy feeling inside because they know
they’re coming home to that special time with family and their
little traditions.
Personally I just think its cool that the spirit of Christmas
can bring such a great feeling to your heart. A great feeling of
tradition. A great feeling of family and friends. It’s a reality
check, showing you there are greater things in life than those
little everyday stresses.
So, here’s to traditions. Merry Christmas.
Best of luck on finals
and Merry Christmas!
The
Southwest
Texan
T h e o f f i c i al publication of S outhw est T exas Junior College
Uvalde | Eagle Pass | Crystal City | Del Rio
“I’m a nice and helpful
towards people and I put
others before myself.” Marlena Vasquez
Uvalde
THE SOUTHWEST TEXAN, an official publication of Southwest Texas Junior College, is written and
produced by the students of the Communications Department. Students on THE SOUTHWEST TEXAN
staff are responsible for all aspects of the newspaper’s production.
Letters to the editor are welcomed. Letters should be signed and contain no more than 150 words to be
considered for publication.
THE SOUTHWEST TEXAN is published monthly. Ad rates are $2 per column inch. The newspaper does
not reflect the views and opinions of Southwest Texas Junior College Administration or staff.
THE SOUTHWEST TEXAN newsline number is 830-591-7350.
Uvalde
The Southwest Texan Staff
Editor: Allyssa Brewster
Chris Conrad, Marina Escamilla, Claudia Esparza, Andrew Mitton, Kassandra Reyna
“We gave blood and have
signed up to donate bone
marrow.”
Gilbert Villanueva III
& Emilio Arce
Uvalde
Del Rio
Jose Villarreal, Orlando Vicuna
Eagle Pass
Lidia Rosado, Susey Marquez
Willie Edwards - Advisor
Ismael Martinez- Assistant Advisor
2401 Garner Field Road Uvalde, Texas
swtexan@swtjc.edu
Page 4 • Southwest Texas Junior College • The Southwest Texan • December 5, 2012
Photo Page
F all F i esta
Photos by: Andrew Mitton
Southwest Texas Junior College • The Southwest Texan • December 5, 2012 • Page 5
News
Interview: Michel Stocks
by Lidia Rosado
Southwest Texan Reporter
SWTJC Eagle Pass
English instructor Michel
Stocks was born in Fort Worth,
Texas, in 1968. He is a graduate
of Uvalde High School.
Stocks received his
B.A. degree in English from
Texas Christian University and
a Master’s degree from Sul Ross
State University. He has also
taken post-graduate courses at
the University of North Texas
and Baylor University.
His
teaching
experience includes 12 years at
the junior high and high school
level and 11 years at SWTJC.
He
has
two
“wonderful” children, Dane
Wallace Stocks, age 14, and
Daisy Elizabeth Stocks, 13.
What was your inspiration to
become a teacher?
“My mom inspired me to be a
teacher. She taught school and
coached for more than 25 years,
and I watched her passion as an
educator as I grew up.”
What classes do you currently
teach?
“I teach English courses
for SWTJC: developmental
writing, composition 1 and 2,
american and world literature.”
What is your best advice
for students dealing with
setbacks?
People in the news
“My best advice for students
dealing with setbacks is to
remember what the philosopher
Schopenhauer said about the
power of the human spirit and
will: “I am what I want to be.”
What do you expect students
to get from your class?
“From my classes I expect
students to become a little
more polished as writers and to
acquire a greater appreciation
for literature.”
What is the last book you read?
and learn together, and I love
the opportunity to get to share
my love of literature with
them. I also have the distinct
pleasure of reminding great
young men and women they
can be anything they desire in
this life. Another reason I enjoy
SWTJC is the faculty and staff
with whom I get to work. They
are some amazing instructors,
secretaries, deans, custodians
and friends.”
Who do you admire most and
why?
“I most admire my mom for
the wonderful job she did as a
single mom.”
What do you like about
teaching at SWTJC?
How would you describe your
teaching style?
“I like teaching at SWTJC
because of the students with
whom I get to work. We laugh
“My teaching style is a melange
of Hitler, Pee Wee Herman, and
Peter Griffin.”
“The last book I read (actually
re-read) was Dharma Bums by
Jack Kerouac.”
What is your
television show?
favorite
My favorite television shows are
“Seinfeld,” “No Reservations,”
and “Two and a Half Men.”
What are your hobbies?
“My favorite hobbies are
running, reading, eating, and
collecting watches.”
What kind of music do you
most enjoy?
“I really enjoy all types of
music. Some of my favorites
are Pink Floyd, the Grateful
Dead, Van Morrison, Death
Cab for Cutie, Jackson Browne,
and Sixto Rodriguez.”
Winners of the Biggest Loser Contest at SWTJC Eagle Pass are Jaime Sierra anc Maricarmen
Mendez. The month long weight-loss contest was sponsored by the Eagle Pass Phi Theta Kappa
Chapter. Cash prizes were awarded the top male and female contestant.
Interview: Marta Garza
by Orlando Vicuna
Southwest Texan Reporter
Marta Gonzalez is one
of the newest staff members at
SWTJC Del Rio. Mrs. Gonzalez
is a Del Rio native. She attended
high school in Del Rio first at
San Felipe High School and
then at Del Rio High School
starting in her junior year when
the two schools consolidated.
After she graduated
from Del Rio high she went to
the Sul Ross State University
in Alpine and received her
bachelor’s degree in art. She
then went to the University
of Texas to continue her
education. While at UT she
tutored at an elementary school
to help pay for her tuition at
UT. She eventually received
her master’s degree at UT in art
husband, moved to Del Rio to
be closer to their families.
What do you like about
teaching at SWTJC?
I like being back in my
hometown and having the
opportunity to be involved with
the art community in Del Rio.
What do you like to do in
your free time?
education.
Mrs. Gonzalez is
working part-time at SWTJC
and is teaching art history.
Before she began work at
SWTJC, she worked at the
University of New Mexico.
When she retired, she and her
I like to work with clay and
graphics. I am also involved
with the Del Rio Art League
which tries to promote local
artists.
What advice do you have for
students?
READ. You’re coming here
to get an education and your
society is investing in you.”
Interview: Rob Fowler
by Kass Reyna
Southwest Texan Reporter
Rob
Fowler
is
a
communications
and
kinesiology
instructor
at
SWTJC Uvalde, but don’t
let the term ‘instructor’ fool
you. This man is full of life
and I honestly do not believe
I have ever met anyone more
enthusiastic than Mr. Fowler.
I had heard many
great things about Mr. Fowler,
even before I entered college.
People would say how much
of an amazing teacher he was
and that there was never a dull
moment in his classes. At first
I didn’t believe it; I thought
“why would anyone be excited
about teaching a bunch of kids
that don’t like to listen?” But
as the saying goes; seeing is
believing, I came to find out
that everything I’d heard about
him was true.
This semester I have
been in one of Mr. Fowler’s
classes and it is always such
a refreshing and eccentric
atmosphere when you walk
through the doors. I understand
that he really does value all of
Who do you admire most
and why? Jesus Christ. He
hung on a tree so we could
live and love. I also admire
Landra Fowler because she is
an awesome example of taking
advantage of life and lessons. I
also admire Mabel Fowler and
Macey Fowler for providing
me extreme joy!
Mariachi Los Vaqueros de SWTJC singer Edie Salas belts out a mariachi favorite during the
recent Mariachi Extravaganza held at Uvalde High School. Mariachi Los Vaqueros participated
in the 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in San Antonio the weekend of Nov. 30.
What is your secret to
success? I remind myself every
day that “This is a day the Lord
has made. Let us rejoice and be
glad!”
his students and truly enjoys
what he does.
Mr. Fowler enjoys
reading and the outdoors. He is
a firm believer in the Lord and
truly treasures his family. He
has been married for 20 years to
our very own SWTJC librarian,
Landra Fowler, and they have
two beautiful daughters, Mabel
and Macey. The latest book he
read was “Becoming a Better
You” by Joel Osteen. He views
the Bible as a guide for life.
What is your best advice
for students dealing with
setbacks? A set back is only a
set up for a comeback!
If you could only teach
students two things, what
would they be and why?
Honesty and integrity. Plus
commitment.
What do you expect students
to get from your class? A
willingness to try their very
best to succeed to the highest
level of their talent.
Christmas break: Dec. 15 — Jan. 13
Have a safe and happy holidays!
Cadets in the Charlie Class of the Middle Rio Grande Law Enforcement Academy at SWTJC
Uvalde will hold their fall graduation on Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. in the Matthews Student Center
Ballroom. Cadets in the Bravo Class at SWTJC Eagle Pass will hold their fall graduation on Dec.
6 at 11 a.m. in the CC Winn High School Auditorium.
Page 6 • Southwest Texas Junior College • The Southwest Texan • December 5, 2012
News
Phi Theta Kappa holds fall induction in Uvalde
New inductees into the Eta Beta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
at SWTJC Uvalde include: (front, l-r) Jessica Talamantez, Ana A. Gonzalez, Cassandra M. Canales,
Leah J. Guerrero, Krystal L. Guzman, Victoria K. Contreras, Kemberly Vasquez, Sandra O. Martinez,
(middle) Victoria K. Alejandro, Sunjin P. Contreras, Alisa Carson, Midian K. Fuentes, Jennifer Hemple,
Jessica D. Johnson, Alisandra K. Sada, Shandra L. Petty, Zandra M. Lennon, Lanize Flores, (back)
Antonio D. Chacon, Cristian Sandoval, Jonathan A. Castillo, Martin Sandoval, Phillip N. Garfield, John
Dabbs and Abel F. Hernandez.
The Eta Beta Chapter of the
international honor society Phi
Theta Kappa inducted 37 new
members during ceremonies held
Nov. 8 on the SWTJC Uvalde
campus.
SWTJC
Dean
of
Institutional Advancement and
Technology, gave the welcome
and opening remarks at the
ceremony held in the Matthews
Student Center Ballroom.
“We are here tonight to
recognize the exemplary work
of these young men and women
in the classroom,” Dr. Bennett
said. “Congratulations to all the
new members for earning your
place in this prestigious honor
society.”
Uvalde students inducted
include Kassandra Barron,
Cassandra Canales, Jonathan
Castillo, Antonio Chacon, Sunjin
Contreras, John Dabbs, Midian
Fuentes, Ana Gonzalez and
Jennifer Hemple.
Also inducted from Uvalde
were Kimberly Jaquez, Zandra
Lennon, Sandra Martinez, Jesus
G. Morales IV, Shandra Petty,
Will Powell, Cristian Sandoval,
Martin Sandoval and Jessica
Talamantez.
Seven
students
from
Crystal City were inducted
including Victoria Contreras,
Lanize Flores, Leah Guerrero,
Krystal Guzman, Samantha
Sanchez, Catarina Tapia and
Amy Urrabazo.
Carrizo Springs students
earning membership were Joy
Boling, Mary Linnartz and
Angela Stack.
Pearsall students inducted
this fall were Abel Hernandez,
Jessica Johnson and Jessica
Ramos.
Others
area
students
inducted this fall include:
Philip Garfield and Alisandra
Sada, both of Dilley; Victoria
Alejandro, Sabinal; Alisa Carson,
Pleasanton; Carolyne Fowler,
Hondo; and Kimberly Vasquez,
Eagle Pass.
Current Eta Beta Chapter
officers Anisha Hindocha and
Elvia Valdes, conducted the
ceremony of induction. Yvonne
Allen also participated.
Special guest at this fall’s
induction was Daniel Chitty,
Phi Theta Kappa District V
vice-president from Austin
Community College.
To earn membership in Phi
Theta Kappa, students must have
completed at least 12 semester
hours with at least a 3.5 GPA.
Students must also be currently
enrolled in at least six hours and
maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain
members in good standing.
Andrew Humphrey was
pianist for the ceremony and a
reception for inductees and their
families was held in the Matthews
Student Center immediately
following the ceremony.
Interview: Amanda Hadley
by Claudia Esparza
Southwest Texan Reporter
Amanda Hadley, the
director of the vocational nursing
program at SWTJC, has worked
very hard at achieving her goals.
Not only has she devoted herself
to her work but also to her
students’ success.
She has a Bachelor
of Science Degree in Nursing
(BSN) from the University of
Texas, a Master of Science in
Education (MEd) from Sul Ross
State University and a Master of
Science in Nursing (MSN) from
the University of the Incarnate
Word.
When asked about the
secret to success Hadley said: “I
feel very blessed and thankful
for all my accomplishments. I
try to always think positive and
learn from my mistakes. One
of my goals in life is to try to
understand and motivate others,
especially students. I take my
job seriously; I am responsible,
honest, and dependable.”
What classes do you currently
teach? I teach vocational
nursing concepts, pediatrics,
fundamentals
and
medical
terminology
What was your inspiration
to become a teacher? When
I moved to Uvalde, I worked
at Uvalde Memorial Hospital
on the evening shift and had
approximately 10 Vocational
Nursing Students assigned to my
shift. To this day, I’m not sure
where their instructor was. I’m
thinking I was their instructor.
Anyway, they followed me
around and asked a lot of
questions. I enjoyed helping
them and teaching them and that
is how I became inspired to teach
nursing. It made me realize that I
had the patience and the desire to
teach. It was the nursing students
who recommended me to the
college as a potential instructor
for the nursing program.
working at SWTJC. I love the
environment, the community,
and especially the students
How would you describe your
teaching style? I’m not sure that
I have a particular teaching style.
Every class that I teach is a little
different. Most of the classes
I teach are distance learning
(DL) so that makes it difficult
for students to interact but I try
to get them involved as much
as possible. I clearly define the
expectations of the class in the
syllabus. I set high standards and
encourage students to take the
initiative and responsibility for
their own learning. I am always
available to students whenever
they need help.
Who were/are your role
models? When I was in high
school, I was a good math student.
I had a math instructor who
motivated me and encouraged
me. She got me involved in UIL
What do you like about and every math contest you can
teaching at SWTJC? I love imagine. She made me realize
that I was intelligent and capable
of being successful in college.
My parents always encouraged
me as well. I knew when I was
in grade school that college
was not an option for me, it
was mandatory.
What is the most rewarding
experience you have had
as a teacher?
I have had
many rewards as a teacher
but graduation day is always
especially rewarding and exciting
to me. I feel that I have served,
that I have helped and that I have
done my job.
If you could only teach students
two things, what would they be?
Think positive and never say “I
can’t”. Also, remain focused on
your goals and surround yourself
with positive people who believe
in you.
What do you expect students to
get from your class? I want my
class to be a rewarding experience
for the students. I want them
Vocational Nursing Director — Amanda Hadley
to learn the information and to
make it part of their daily life.
What are your hobbies?
Reading, writing and gardening.
I enjoy all types of music, but love
the oldies. I don’t watch much
TV but my mom has me hooked
on a Spanish novella called Un
Refugio Para El Amor.
*Art show
Sara Muñoz, Otsie Nolasco
and Michael Salazar, all from
Uvalde.
Students will display
paintings created during the
current semester.
What advice do you have for
students who find themselves
dealing with setbacks?
Don't give up. Always be positive.
Think success, not failure. It’s
ok to feel sorry for yourself for
a little while, but then you have
to let it go, pick yourself up and
try again.
(continued from page 1)
Poetry readers will
include student Andrew Mitton
and SWTJC instructors Terri
Tucker from Uvalde and Diana
Bolton from Del Rio.
“We certainly welcome
additional poetry readers and
encourage the faculty, staff
and students, and the entire
community to come join us for
an evening of art appreciation,”
Ortiz said.
Classes are filling up fast.
Register for spring classes
before the Christmas break!
Let us help you take control
of your financial
well-being
SWTJC business instructor Trish Driskill,
CPA, will be teaching BUSI 1307 Personal
Finance this spring as an online class.
“This class will give students step-bystep instructions to help them get out of debt and
into wealth,” Driskill said.
Students will have access to a textbook
and videos by renowned financial advisor, radio
host, television personality and motivational
speaker Dave Ramsey.
Register now for BUSI 1307!
For more
information
call:
591-4176
Southwest Texas Junior College • The Southwest Texan • December 5, 2012 • Page 7
Creative Corner
SLENDER —
(Editor's note: The following is the winning entry in this year's
Second Annual SWTJC/RGC Halloween Short Story Contest. It
was written by Eduardo M. Morales who is a sudent at Sul Ross
Rio Grande College in Eagle Pass.)
It’s only been a few minutes and I am up again, and
I head to a nearby desk. Maybe I should read a book. What
book in here can help me on my quest for sleep? There has to
be something in here that may help. I looked through the pile of
books my fiancé has collected; they do not look interesting in
the least. I believe she said they were books of tales, myths, and
legends about the lost civilizations she has explored. I looked
through these books in hopes of finding one that intrigued me
but to no avail.
I was about to give up when something caught my eye.
At the bottom of the pile there was an old and ragged book. Its
appearance looked used as the cover had many cuts and tears. It
might hold many old stories of times past. My curiosity got the
better of me and I began to read from this ugly book. It looked
as though it was written by a child along with a crude childlike
drawing of a tall faceless man in a suit. The pages only carried
about one sentence. Some only carried a phrase but the messages
indicated a warning about the tall man known as Slenderman.
There were pages torn from the book. I counted at least
eight pages missing. What happened to them I wondered? As my
mind dwelled on the missing pages I heard a strange whisper;
“Please stop, he will come for you.” When I turned to look,
I found nothing. My mind was playing tricks on me. At least
that is the way my mind tried to rationalize the strange whisper.
My insomnia might be poisoning my senses; maybe it is time
I should get to bed. I looked around my hollow room one last
time; my curiosity did not let me put the book away as I sat back
down and continued to read. I needed to know more about this
Slenderman. What is he, and where did he come from? From
what I can understand Slenderman was a boogey man of sorts,
a creature of the night that prayed on the fear of mortals. Why
would it feed on fear? Is that its purpose, to feed or destroy? Or
is it both?
The rumbling thunder gave way to the coming rain.
Soon the terrible lightning will come and light up this eerie
night. And right on time it struck. Lightning followed by loud
powerful thunder. The lightning was so bright that the dark
streets outside lit up like daylight. And for a brief moment I saw
something out on the street corner -- a tall man in a suit. Like a
statue he stood, gazing at what was in front of him. I could not
make out his features in the rain but I could tell his eyes were
locked into my own. My heart began to beat faster and the cold
sweat beaded down my face. I wiped the sweat from my brow
and in that second the tall man was gone.
Is my lack of sleep affecting my perception of reality?
The book slipped from my hands as I tried to put it away. It
landed face down but open. As I picked the book up my heart
stopped. The image branded itself into my mind. The horrible
scratches form an image of such morbidity that I began to shake
with fear. The image before me felt more like a premonition.
My own face, twisted in extreme terror, with a message written
with such force as if to pull my attention on to it. “He knows
where you are.” For some reason my panicked mind forced me
to turn the page. I was no longer in control of my actions as each
message was more dreadful than the last. “Run away!” one page
said, “He’s coming” said another, another said “Save yourself”
and then the final page I read took my consciousness from me.
“He’s behind you.”
The world around me was dark. Oh please Lord, tell me
it was a terrible dream. The cold air woke me. My eyes opened
to darkness but there was just enough light to make out the tree
in front of me. Have I been here this entire time? No it can’t be. I
was in my room just a moment ago. The rain had stopped, or did
it ever rain at all? I must find a way out of here. I searched my
pockets and felt the cold shaft of the flash light. At least now I
could illuminate my surroundings. I waved the light around me,
analyzing the area and hoping I could find a way out. This eerie
scenery raised my heartbeat. My only solace was in knowing
that the flashlight I held in my hand could help me see. Better to
stand near a fire than to kneel in darkness I heard once.
As I made my way around the woods I found something
against the tree; it was a dirty white color and rectangular. It can’t
be I thought, but to my amazement and dread it was a missing
page from the book. “No no no no no” it said. What did it mean?
What would happen when I found all eight? I folded the page
by Eduardo M. Morales
and put it into my pocket and made my way through the woods.
I must find a way out of here. The flash light was not much use,
it barely let me see what was in front of me but anything was
better than nothing. The dim light led me to an old truck like the
kind farmers used to transport livestock and produce. The truck
looked as though it had not been used in years. Its discolored
red exterior coupled with the missing tires and broken windows
gave further proof of its age. Nonetheless, like the tree before
it, there was a page on the passenger side door. The page was
as old and derelict as the pages before it. There was a crude yet
frightening sketch of Slenderman with only one word written on
it, “Follows.”
I was starting to breathe a little harder. My mind was
wandering all over. Who would take the time to put these pages
all over the place? What kind of game was this? I couldn’t dwell
on this page and its message, I must move on, I must escape
this natural prison. The crunching sound my footsteps made as
I walked did not help my alarmed state. The crunching twigs
beneath my feet crushed so loudly like bones breaking. Such a
sound would not normally affect me, but tonight, tonight I’m
afraid is different. I arrived at an unusual structure; four walls
intersecting like a cross lay before me. I looked around this
unusual thing to see what was within the bulwarks. Like before a
page was hanging on the wall like the truck and the tree before.
The message was as cryptic and crude as the others; “Always
watching, no eyes”. The message looked like it was written in
haste, like the writer did not have enough time to write their
final thoughts before this thing, this Slenderman, took them
away to its own hell. No, I cannot think about the tall man in the
drawings, he can’t exist. It’s impossible, a man with no face who
can see without seeing. Pale as paper dressed in an old black suit
with limbs like dead tree branches reaching out for the healing
rays of the sun. The thought of this creature makes my mind race
at a thousand paces a second. I must push these thoughts out of
my mind and get out of here.
I found myself near a building; it smelled so vulgar like
an abandoned rest stop. I would not dare enter such a disgusting
place but heavy footsteps coming from the woods paused my
trek across this place. I pointed my flashlight into the woods to
see my company but there was nothing there. I was somewhat
relieved, yet disappointed. I had hoped someone else had fallen
into limbo with me. At least with a companion the fear would
not cripple me as it did then. I felt so faint with every step. I was
taken out of my distracted state by a sight I wished I had never
seen. Across the woods a tall, thin man, , dressed in a dirty black
suit, with limbs like dead tree branches and no face was staring
into my soul. I began to shake and my heart felt like it was going
to explode into a million pieces. I was paralyzed with fear as my
vision began to blur. He didn’t move. I couldn’t tell if the bastard
was toying with me or was as blind in this place as I without
light. I turned my head to the foul smelling building. I can lose
him. I just have to force my legs to carry me there.
With every ounce, every will and fiber of my being I
pushed myself to run into the building. Oh God, the place made
me want to vomit. I couldn’t stand it in but I had to lose my
pursuer. This place smelled like death! I looked around for
another exit but the place might as well have been a maze. Turns
and walls and dead ends. He can trap me in here. I enter a room
and there was a chair with a piece of paper on it. I was hesitant at
first but I found enough courage to pick up the page. It only had
a drawing of a stick figure surrounded by trees. This place, was
it the domain where he hunted his prey? I had wasted too much
time now, I had to leave.
I ran out of the room as fast as I could, trying to ignore
the smell. I should have been more careful on the turns for now
he was closer than ever. At the end of the hall it stood waiting
for me. The creature in the figure of a man, looking at me with
no face as my vision was disorientated. And then my salvation
came in the form of a familiar laughter that brought me back to a
happier time. Back to the time I proposed to my angel. Her tears
showed her happiness just as much as her beautiful laughter.
Oh Lord, I could see her face, my one and only. I must live; I
had to see her again. So I ran, and I darted around the building
frantically searching for a way out. I finally found the exit and
sprinted as fast as I could, far away from that death trap.
It felt like I had run for miles when I came across an
area with large tankers. The rusted metal exterior showed that
it was old like everything else in the place. My paranoia was
getting to me; I kept turning flashing my light everywhere to see
if the faceless hunter was on my shadow. I must have lost him
in the building. I leaned my head upon one of the tankers and
rested. No, I can’t rest, not even for a second at least not when I
know that creature can get me at any moment. I moved my light
to the tanker in front of me and my heart weighed down again.
Another paper. I took a deep breath, moved toward it and pulled
it off the tanker carefully as to not alert the thin creature. The
paper was written like the others in that terrified style. This time
it read “Can’t run.” I made haste to leave now, quickening my
pace in hopes that the creature could nott keep up with me.
A suspicious tunnel laid in my way; there was a dead
end here. I would have ignored it, but like all the landmarks
before me this one had a page at the end of it. Maybe this would
be the one that told me how to destroy the man-like creature. If
I walked into the tunnel I had to go out the same way I came in.
I had to be brief so I ran across the tunnel and reached the end.
I snatched the paper from the wall and ran out like a bat out of
hell. To my surprise there was nothing waiting on the other side.
The page this time said “HELP ME.” I kept moving.
I found myself thanking God that I had not seen
Slenderman in a while. Maybe he gave up on me or maybe he
was waiting for me to make a mistake. As I backed up my back
felt the rough texture of a rock. I turned around to see rocks
huddled together. I found another page wedged in between two of
the rocks. I reached for it but for some reason my vision began to
blur again. Oh God, how did he sneak up on me without making
a noise? I reached as hard as I could, trying to reach that paper
that was so close yet so far away, my fingertips barely touched
the paper. I could hear him walking toward me now; I must get
that forsaken paper! It was in my grasp! I yanked it out from
between the rocks and ran without looking. If I were to see him
now, I would no longer be able to move. I could feel that long
frightening arm of his reaching for me so I pushed myself. “Run
damn you, keep running!” I could not run for much longer as my
legs had become dead weight, but I had to keep going.
Suddenly there was a red silo in front of me; maybe I
could hide in there until daylight. Maybe the Slenderman was
afraid of the sun like all creatures of the night. I placed my hand
on the silo to support myself since now my legs couldn’t do it. I
just needed to find a way inside; this ws the safest place for me.
As I looked up, it was staring at me, the final paper in front my
eyes mocking me, telling me to take it off the silo and read it. I
was too tired to care what it said so I took it off the red silo and
read the message I had been waiting to read since I picked up the
first paper. “Don’t look or it takes you.” I couldn’t even react. I
simply didn’t care about its stupid message. I just wanted to get
out of there and go home. Lay on my bed and stare at the picture
of my love as I fell into that sweet sleep. I sat down with my back
resting against the silo and flashed my light ahead of me and
there it was. The creature had caught up with me.
My vision began to blur as it got closer. It was taking
long and slow strides toward me. My heart had stopped racing
and slowed to a crawl. Is this what it’s like to die? Eight pages for
nothing, eight pages telling me what I already discovered about
Slenderman. Dear God, please let me go easy; let it be pleasant
and fast. The Slenderman was only a couple of feet away from
me but I could not find the strength to scream anymore. As he
reached for me the only thought that came to my mind was of
my Christine. I hope she knows how much I love her. My vision
became black and I was welcomed into that eternal darkness as
the last image changed to the terrifying face, one with no nose to
smell, no mouth to eat, no ears to hear, and no eyes to see. The
Slenderman.
Short story contest winners announced
Eduardo Morales of
Sul Ross State University –
Rio Grande College in Eagle
Pass was the winner of the
2nd Annual Halloween Short
Story Contest sponsored
by SWTJC and RGC.
Morales won for
his story “Slender.” Second
place winner was “Crazy
Doesn’t Fall Far from the
Tree” by Manolyn Preddy
from Uvalde. Third place
winner was Eric Hernandez
from SWTJC Eagle Pass
with his entry “The Immense
Weight of Truth.”
First prize was a
Kindle Fire, second prize was
an IPOD Nano and third prize
was a $50 gift certificate.
Prizes were donated by the
RGC Eagle Pass Student
Government Association, the
SWTJC Eagle Pass Student
Government Association,
the Humanities Department
and Writing Centers.
Gail Lumm — Uvalde
Poonamben Bhakta — Eagle Pass
Juan Fantos— Eagle Pass
Artwork submitted by students of Abel Ortiz. Join us at the Art Lab on Dec. 7 for an art show, poetry reading.
Sports
Page 8 • Southwest Texas Junior College • The Southwest Texan • December 5, 2012
High school basketball tournament
will tip off in Uvalde on Thursday
BOYS
2012SWTJC
InvitationalTournament
LAPRYOR
Thurs.10:00am
KNIPPA
Thurs.5:00pm
Thurs.8:00pm
SABINAL
Thurs.1:00pm
D’HANIS
Sat5:00pm
Sat 11:00 am
Sat.2:00pm
Sat.8:00pm
UTOPIA
Fri.10:00am
NUECESCANYON
Fri.5:00pm
Fri.8:00pm
BRACKETT
LowerTeam–Home
Fri.1:00pm
HomeTeam–WhiteJersey
LEAKEY
HomeTeam–DressinGym
VisitingTeam–DressUpstairs
The 53rd Annual SWTJC
High
School
Invitational
Basketball Tournament will
begin a three-day run on
Thursday, Dec. 6
Opening game of the
tourney will be played at 8:30
a.m. between the girls teams
from La Pryor and Knippa,
followed by the boys teams from
the same schools at 10 a.m.
Other opening round
games on Thursday will feature
Sabinal and D’Hanis, with the
girls game at 11:30 a.m. and the
boys game at 1 p.m.
Teams
from
Utopia,
Nueces Canyon, Brackettville
and Leakey will begin play in
the tournament on Friday.
The Utopia and Nueces
Canyon girls will tip off at 8:30
a.m. Friday, followed by the
boys game at 10 a.m, while the
Brackett and Leakey girls will
play at 11:30 a.m. followed by
the boys game at 1 p.m.
Play will conclude on
Saturday, Dec. 8, with the girls
championship at 6:30, followed
by the boys title game at 8 p.m.
The Sabinal Yellowjackets
and Sabinal Lady Jackets are
defending champions.
GIRLS
2012SWTJC
InvitationalTournament
LAPRYOR
Thurs.8:30am
KNIPPA
Thurs.3:30pm
Thurs.6:30pm
SABINAL
Thurs.11:30am
D’HANIS
Sat3:30pm
Sat 9:30 am
Sat.12:30pm
Sat.6:30pm
UTOPIA
Fri.8:30am
NUECESCANYON
Fri.3:30pm
Fri.6:30pm
BRACKETT
LowerTeam–Home
HomeTeam–WhiteJersey
Fri.11:30am
LEAKEY
HomeTeam–DressinGym
VisitingTeam–DressUpstairs
Rodeo team finishes fall schedule
The fall rodeo schedule
is complete and SWTJC’s
Morgann McDonald continues
to outpace the competition in the
National Intercollegiate Rodeo
Association Southern Region
barrel racing competition.
McDonald finished the
fall schedule with a first place
finish at the Sam Houston State
University Rodeo in Conroe on
Nov. 8-10.
This fall McDonald
also had first place finishes at
McNeese State and the SWTJC
Rodeo in Uvalde, along with a
third place finish at the Northeast
Texas Community College
Rodeo.
Rozlyn Shay Reeves is
in tenth place in barrel racing at
the end of the fall schedule. She
is the only other SWTJC cowgirl
listed in the top 15 in individual
events.
Justin Paul Shaffer
ranks fifth in steer wrestling to
lead the SWTJC Cowboys fall
efforts. Taylor Henry Barnes
(header) and Graves Wallace
(heeler) are in eighth place in
team roping.
Sam Houston State
University holds a commanding
lead in both the men’s and
women’s team competition.
The SWTJC Cowgirls
are second in team competition,
while the Cowboys are in ninth.
Uvalde hosts university transfer day
by Andrew Mitton
Southwest Texan Reporter
The
office
of
recruitment in Uvalde recently
hosted college transfer day to
encourage students to prepare
for transferring to a four-year
university.
Sam Houston State
University, Texas Tech, Texas
A&M Kingsville, Sul Ross
State University, The University
of Texas at Austin and Texas
State University were among
the 17 universities who had
representatives on the Uvalde
campus for transfer day.
“This allows students
some one-on-one time with
schools that they normally
could only interact with online
or by visiting their individual
campuses,” said recruiter Tito
Sanchez. “The key to a smooth
transfer is to be prepared.”
While a steady flow
*HUMANITIES
(continued from page 1)
humanities is interesting to her
because it’s more about looking at
the big picture of human existence
instead of one tiny slice.
“You can study history
or literature or theology or art
individually, but you get to see
a different perspective if you can
focus on one issue and look at the
historical, literary, theological,
and artistic interpretations of that
same issue in different times and
places, created among different
cultures,” she said.
Mrs. Watts said a
humanities degree was the only
program she could find that let
her see some of the intersections
among all fields of human
experience and she loved seeing
the connections across time,
geography, topic and culture.
“It made me feel closer
to the people who have come
before us and who will follow
after us to see that the questions
we struggle to answer are not
new; we really are all linked
together,” she said.
Mrs. Watts feels like
it is easy for us as individuals
to see the differences among us
without much depth and thought,
so she wants her students to look
deeper to find the similarities.
From firsthand experience in
of students attended the event,
Sanchez said he hopes to get
more students involved in future
transfer days.
“We plan to host
another transfer day event during
the spring semester,” Sanchez
said. “In the meantime, students
who need any information
about transferring can come by
the recruitment office located
in the Flores Student Services
Building.”
her class, I can say we truly did
these things. I walk out of class
critically thinking about things
I had never critically thought
about before. I have talked to
numerous other classmates and
members of her classes and they
all appreciate her class.
So, if anyone is looking
for a class to take, or just unsure
about your college career path, I
strongly encourage you to take
Humanities 1301 with Jami
Watts. She is the most influential
teacher I have ever. You will not
only learn from the class but you
will enjoy it and you will enjoy
Mrs. Watts.
SWTJC Catholic Club presents
2012 Christmas Posada
Thursday, December 6, 2012 @ 7 p.m.
Matthews Student Center Ballroom
Mary and Joseph knew about curves in the road. In fact, this
Christmas Story is a story involving many unexpected twists and turns
in their journey. What started out as two ordinary lives turned into
something quite extraordinary. Join us as we reenact the journey of
Joseph and Mary as they travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search
of lodging. This is a journey of celebration of the birth
of their son, Jesus Christ.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
Afterwards, we will be having food, drinks,
singing and piñatas for the children!
SWTJC’s Rudy Ortiz takes it to the hoop on Nov. 28 in action against St. Philip’s College. The
Cowboys lost the game 98-80. For the year their league record is now, 1-5, The Cowgirls game with
St. Philip’s was cancelled. Final league action this semester for both teams will be Dec. 5 in San
Antonio against Palo Alto College.
SWTJC Fall 2012 Final Exam Schedule
December 6-13, 2012
Final Exam on: Monday, December 10
Classes at:
8:00AM MWF
10:00AM MWF
12:00PM MWF
12:300PM MW
2:00PM MWF or 2:00PM MW
4:00PM M or 4:00PM MW or 4:00 PM F
6:00PM MW
7:30PM MW
Final Exam at:
8:00AM-10:00AM
10:00AM-12:00PM
12:00PM-2:00PM
12:30PM-2:30PM
2:00PM-4:00PM
4:00PM-6:00PM
6:00PM-8:00PM
8:00PM-10:00PM
Final Exam on: Tuesday, December 11
Classes at:
8:00AM TTH
9:30AM TTH
10:00AM TTH
12:00PM TTH
12:30PM TTH
1:00PM TTH or 1:00PM T
2:00PM TTH
3:30PM TTH
4:00PM or 4:00PM TTH or 4:00PM TH
6:00PM TTH
7:30PM TTH
Final Exam at:
8:00AM-10:00AM
10:00AM-12:00PM
10:00AM-12:00PM
12:00PM-2:00PM
12:00PM-2:00PM
1:00PM-3:00PM
2:00PM-4:00PM
4:00PM-6:00PM
4:00PM-6:00PM
6:00PM-8:00PM
8:00PM-10:00PM
Final Exam on: Wednesday December 12
Classes at:
9:00AM MWF or 9:00AM MW
11:00AM MWF
1:00PM MWF or 1:00PM MW or 1:00PM M
1:30PM MW
3:00PM MWF
4:00PM W
4:30 PM MW or 5:00PM MW or 5:30PM MW
Final Exam at:
8:00AM-10:00AM
10:00AM-12:00PM
1:00PM-3:00PM
1:30PM-3:30PM
2:00PM-4:00PM
4:00PM-6:00PM
5:00PM-7:00PM
Classes on:
Thursday Night
Friday Night
Saturday Night
Monday Night
Tuesday Night
Wednesday Night Evening Classes
Final Exam on:
December 6, 2012
December 7, 2012
December 8, 2012
December 10, 2012
December 11, 2012
December 12, 2012
Final Exam at:
6:00PM-8:00PM
6:00PM-8:00PM
Scheduled class time
6:00PM-8:00PM
6:00PM-8:00PM
6:00PM-8:00PM