Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Dear University Friends
The end of the academic year approaches and commencement is just around the corner. For those of
us on The Mesquite staff who are seniors, there is no time for senioritis. There are articles to finish and
final exams to complete. For many of us, it’s the one last “trial-by-caffeine” we will experience as
undergraduates, one last chance to “boom or bust” before we hit the pavement in the professional
world.
The Mesquite is a seedling we planted this year. As it grows, it will become vitally important to the
student body, staff and administration. As a communication tool, it helps spread the word about the
events on our campus and has the potential to tell the story of who we are. More than a digital news
source, it will become a hub of university life and an opportunity to examine, discuss, explain, critique,
criticize and stay connected. While our main goal is to offer you a digital news source you can access
from home, work or school, in the near future we will also offer you a “best in show” print edition to
hold in your hands. The Mesquite will grow and evolve as much by our direction as through your
feedback. Stay connected and let us know how we can inform and entertain you.
As inaugural staff members of A&M-San Antonio’s first student newspaper, we have seen our first
amendment rights supported by our University leaders. Administrators have provided a platform for us
to discuss issues and opinions, but we also must become protectors. Protect your right to learn by
remembering that learning doesn’t stop here. Ask hard questions of others and yourself, demand
straight answers, keep your facts real and your opinions objective. Most of all keep learning. In the
world, or in the classroom, we are all both students and teachers.
When we leave, we take with us the wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience gained from our
education at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. What we leave behind is a footprint, a path of
pebbles for those who come next, to build and improve upon. Perhaps we’ll have a brick around the
fountain in the courtyard of our new multipurpose administration building slated to open this fall, after we
are gone.
Best of luck to my fellow 2011 graduates, the next staff of The Mesquite, and our loyal readers.
My sincere thanks to the amazing professors, dedicated staff and pioneering leaders of Texas A&M
University-San Antonio. I look forward to watching you grow.
Tammy Busby
Editor-In-Chief, Spring 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Spotlight on Veterans Support Services
Click Here to see the interview with Texas A&M University-San Antonio's Veterans Support Officer, Richard Delgado, Jr.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Two TAMU-SA students receive prestigious Warren Fellowship
The Warren Fellowship for Future Teachers will answer those questions first-hand this coming June 5-11 for twenty-five specially selected education students, known as Warren Fellows. Two of those students, Effie Baeza and Barbara Baker, are seniors from Texas A&M University-San Antonio. They will travel to the Holocaust Museum Houston for a week-long immersion program, where eminent Holocaust and genocide scholars and museum staff provide educational and outreach opportunities, including the opportunity to meet and work with Holocaust survivors, like Naomi Warren who survived two Nazi camps.
Education major Barbara Baker, a senior wants to be a sixth grade social studies teacher. She is certified in international studies and says she looks forward to strengthening her ability to teach love and appreciation through humanities, civil rights and culture. The Holocaust left its mark in her own family history.
“I have a deep personal interest in the Holocaust. My grandparents and great-grandparents were Hungarian immigrants who came to the U.S. to escape persecution,” explained Baker. “They changed their last name and began sending for their other family members.”
Effie Baeza is a student of bilingual and special education. She said that special education children have a right to the same knowledge as other students, and often have a keen understanding and awareness of culture. People with learning disabilities are usually very aware of persecution directed at those who are considered different.
“One person can breed hate and it will spread like wildfire,” Baeza said. She told The Mesquite that she is looking forward to the opportunity to raise awareness in schools by introducing the subject to all of her students.
Education major Barbara Baker, a senior wants to be a sixth grade social studies teacher. She is certified in international studies and says she looks forward to strengthening her ability to teach love and appreciation through humanities, civil rights and culture. The Holocaust left its mark in her own family history.
“I have a deep personal interest in the Holocaust. My grandparents and great-grandparents were Hungarian immigrants who came to the U.S. to escape persecution,” explained Baker. “They changed their last name and began sending for their other family members.”
Effie Baeza is a student of bilingual and special education. She said that special education children have a right to the same knowledge as other students, and often have a keen understanding and awareness of culture. People with learning disabilities are usually very aware of persecution directed at those who are considered different.
“One person can breed hate and it will spread like wildfire,” Baeza said. She told The Mesquite that she is looking forward to the opportunity to raise awareness in schools by introducing the subject to all of her students.
2007 Warren Faculty Fellow, and Texas A&M-San Antonio professor of education and kinesiology, Robin Kapavik, encourages her students to apply for the program. Since 2008, one to two TAMU-SA students have received this honor each summer.
Effie Baeza and Barbara Baker, Texas A&M University-San Antonio Seniors
Monday, March 28, 2011
Inner City With Style
For the past fifteen years, Linda Aguilar has been coordinating, promoting and coaching some of San Antonio's finest hidden talent. These kids are not just entertaining, they are gifted. They come to her at various stages. One twelve-year old girl was painfully shy when she began singing. Through practice, exposure, and Linda's genuine loving care, and with God's blessings, she would remind you, the young singer flowered. Today Harley Steele, and her long-time sidekick, Johnny Love can be found rehearsing together preparing for their next show. Their talents are extraordinary, and you will notice right away that they have put much time and effort into their vocal performances.
Aguilar's non-profit theatrical group has evolved over the years. She began with a group of two, then added a few more kids and began entertaining at a San Antonio nursing home. Pretty soon, requests began coming for performances at community events. Now her group, Inner City With Style is honored with requests to entertain at corporate fundraising events, TAMU-SA's last fall festival, city events like the recent Graffiti Wipeout Celebration, and even the New Year's Eve celebration at the Arneson River Theater. Though the group performs free at these types of functions, it uses any donations to purchase music, costumes and materials to directly benefit the kids.
Groups like this with dedicated directors like Aguilar, who is a student at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, can be a springboard to a career in entertainment, a channel for talented young people to gain the experience and practice they need to become polished performers with confidence and stage presence. Youngsters like the extremely talented mariachi singer, Sebastian DelaCruz, a nine-year-old vocal prodigy who recently won the San Antonio Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza competition, the largest of its kind in Texas. In any case, behind any one of the success stories of these talented children, there will be Aguilar, cheering, critiquing and praying every minute that they will have the opportunity to fulfill their true potential and share their gifts with the world.
Check out three of the many wonderful performances, posted on YouTube, by clicking on photo captions below:
Aguilar's non-profit theatrical group has evolved over the years. She began with a group of two, then added a few more kids and began entertaining at a San Antonio nursing home. Pretty soon, requests began coming for performances at community events. Now her group, Inner City With Style is honored with requests to entertain at corporate fundraising events, TAMU-SA's last fall festival, city events like the recent Graffiti Wipeout Celebration, and even the New Year's Eve celebration at the Arneson River Theater. Though the group performs free at these types of functions, it uses any donations to purchase music, costumes and materials to directly benefit the kids.
Groups like this with dedicated directors like Aguilar, who is a student at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, can be a springboard to a career in entertainment, a channel for talented young people to gain the experience and practice they need to become polished performers with confidence and stage presence. Youngsters like the extremely talented mariachi singer, Sebastian DelaCruz, a nine-year-old vocal prodigy who recently won the San Antonio Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza competition, the largest of its kind in Texas. In any case, behind any one of the success stories of these talented children, there will be Aguilar, cheering, critiquing and praying every minute that they will have the opportunity to fulfill their true potential and share their gifts with the world.
Check out three of the many wonderful performances, posted on YouTube, by clicking on photo captions below:
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| Littlest Mariachi |
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| Johnny Love & Harley Steele |
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| La Tejanita |
Monday, March 14, 2011
Houston, we have lift off – The Mesquite launch successful
On March 9, 2011 The Mesquite, the student newspaper of Texas A&M University-San Antonio, was officially launched with a party which included special guests Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier and Mr. Tino Duran, publisher of La Prensa. Duran told those in attendance about his experience beginning a newspaper, and reminded Mesquite reporters and staff that he has an open door for them. Duran has supported Texas A&M University-San Antonio by making a large financial contribution, and is planning another donation of funds in the near future.
The first of many to come, Mesquite Source Awards were distributed to recognize the contributions made by those who have categorically supported the news process for TAMU-SA’s brand new student-run news outlet. Winners were recognized with certificates and “Branch Out” T-Shirts with the Mesquite News logo.
Drawings for prizes totaling several hundred dollars were held throughout the two-hour celebration.
In addition to snacks and the celebratory cake, (TRIGAS?) provided helium and balloons added to the festive feel inside the Student Center at the Gilette campus. Disc jockey and Mesquite reporter, Cornelius Ontiveros, provided equipment and music for the celebration.
Mesquite staff, reporters and junior reporters were on hand to walk students and faculty through the new Mesquite website on the projection screen, providing everyone a chance to see the extensive news, services and information now available at mesquite-news.com.
The first of many to come, Mesquite Source Awards were distributed to recognize the contributions made by those who have categorically supported the news process for TAMU-SA’s brand new student-run news outlet. Winners were recognized with certificates and “Branch Out” T-Shirts with the Mesquite News logo.
Drawings for prizes totaling several hundred dollars were held throughout the two-hour celebration.
- Comedy Club Tickets courtesy of La Prensa went to Gabriel Calderan, Marilyn Spell, Anaiah Liserio and Juan Garcia.
- Tymrak Enterprises donated several gifts; an I-Tunes gift card won by Betty Villegas, Best Buy gift card won by Chris Ramos, and a Valero gas card won by Michael Ruiz.
- Longhorn Steakhouse provided a gift card won by Jenny Rodriguez.
- The Egg & I donated several gift certificates, one of which went to Brandy Weitzel.
- Wireless Toyz donated a gift certificate won by Shaun Springfield.
- Several dozen lucky attendees also took home The Mesquite’s “Branch Out” t-shirts.
In addition to snacks and the celebratory cake, (TRIGAS?) provided helium and balloons added to the festive feel inside the Student Center at the Gilette campus. Disc jockey and Mesquite reporter, Cornelius Ontiveros, provided equipment and music for the celebration.
Mesquite staff, reporters and junior reporters were on hand to walk students and faculty through the new Mesquite website on the projection screen, providing everyone a chance to see the extensive news, services and information now available at mesquite-news.com.
Monday, February 28, 2011
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